Since I bought mine they have come out with a newer model and up-dated the basic Designer software about four times with each version getting more and more sophisticated. I guess you might say the same for the ShopSmith. If you aren't up for that then this isn't the machine for you. After all this is a computer controlled, close tolerance machine that requires following a good maintenance schedule.
There have been a lot of bad revues on this machine but I have found that a large part of it is due to operator error or lack of maintenance or both. But, once I got it fixed, the machine has done everything asked of it.
To be completely honest, for the first couple of months, I did have some problems and had to replace some parts and really felt like I might have made a big mistake buying it. I have had mine for close to two years and can honestly say that I am totally satisfied with it. I was asked by a forum member (kablerj) to post a tool revue on the CarveWright CNC machine.
