Need Help!- What Software to use ????

[loopy251]

Hi Everyone i am in the middle stages of my first home built cnc router table and awaiting delivery of some parts i have on order, I recently sold my old Practical table and wanted to see if i could build my own , With my old table i was running the software that came with the table (Win CNC ) correl and auto cad i still have but with my new build i will be needing a post processor and a cam program. My question is which ones do you think is the most user friendly with an fairly easy learning curve as win cnc is the only one i have ever used before and cost is a factor Thanks All !

[ger21]

The post processor is part of the CAM program. WinCNC in a machine controller. Are you using WinCNC on you're new machine, or are you looking for a new control? If so, Mach3 is what most use. It may depend on what you want to make, but most will tel you that the easiest to use CAM software is made by Vectric. Other good ones are SheetCAM and MeshCAM.

[loopy251]

Gerry When i sold my Practical table i had to give the buyer my win cnc controler card which uses a pci slot in a computer with a parralell port on the card and my Lic. copy of win cnc . All i have left is Correl and auro cad , This is just a hobby for me as all i do is but out small signs and a little engraving .It would be nice to have a tool offset feature this time round .
Thanks Gerry.
Regards : Ken

[harley4ever]

Mach 3 and dolphin. There are other very expensive options but as you stated, this is for hobby use. Dont be misled by dolphins pricing. They have helped me out numerous times as well as others on here.

[Bubba]

My personal preference would be to use TurboCNC and SheetCam.

Relatively speaking, both are inexpensive and work really well.