[Woodcarver] Machine-carved duplicates

[Bill Judt]

Lynn:

Thank you for this link.

The machine is really neat. I wonder if it allows a carver to create  
replicas of custom carvings? There isn't much information about the  
computer side of the machine, and no indication of any ability to  
take a hand carved piece and develop a template for mechanical  
reproduction, like the duplicarver systems are able to do.

Here's an interesting story:
When I was living in Grande Prairie, Alberta, I was approached by a  
US businessman (native of Taiwan) who was interested in producing  
machine carved/hand finished copies of original carvings. To make the  
story short, we agreed that he would take my Dahl's Sheep carving...
(go to: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com/WildlifeCarvings/ 
WildlifeCarvings.html)... and ship it to the Chesapeake Bay, where he  
lived. From there he would ship it to a factory in Taiwan where they  
would attempt to machine carve a duplicate that would also be hand- 
finished.

When the first prototype arrived at my home, it was my job to  
critique it. I gave them a 75% grade.
That was not good enough... so they made a second attempt. This time  
they got 90%.

At that point, the business man contacted me to say that I would be  
receiving the original carving back shortly. His conclusion was that  
making reproductions of this type were too expensive. The  
manufacturer's price had to be doubled to wholesale, which had to be  
doubled to retail, which made it MORE expensive than the original  
that I had carved.

I learned something about carving through this experience... that a  
quality custom carving is worth its price.
And I learned another thing... that even today, it takes the human  
hand, driven by an artist to create a carving of quality that will  
stir the soul.

Blessings and Peace,

Bill
List Owner

PS: I got the original Dahl's Sheep carving back in good condition. I  
sold it LAST summer (it was then 12 years old) for three times what  
it was worth when it was first carved. It now resides in a private  
home in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan... the heart of Saskatchewan oil  
country.

My books are for sale at: http://wwwoodcarver.com/Books/index.html
W.F. Judt,
46 Harvard Cres,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
S7H3R1
PH: 306-373-6649
bjudt at sasktel.net
Website: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com


On 2-Jan-07, at 6:57 AM, Lynn Diel wrote:


> Folks

> Did anyone see the advertisement on TV for The CarveWright from Sears?

> If not, here is the website and a demonstration movie.  Price tag  

> from the ad was around $1995

>

> http://www.carvewright.com/carvewright2.mov

>

> It would appear that this is the way folks can do relief carving  

> quickly.

> IMHO, I think it will be a big seller, since it makes (CNC Computer  

> Numerical Control) available for the home handyman.  The demo  

> carving is pretty detailed.

>

> Philosophically, I am not sure what it will do to promote the  

> appreciation for those who provide that art and discipline of  

> carving by hand.

> If these take off and a lot of carvings start appearing maybe a  

> renaissance in the manual arts will be an outfall. Perhaps people  

> will gain an appreciation for the fine workmanship of those who  

> carve by hand.  One can only pray that it does :)

>

> Blessings and Peace.

> Lynn


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