CAD CAM recommendations for Sherline 2000 mill

[rwsduc]

Hello all,

I bought a Sherline CNC package (2000 mill with CNC rotary table, 4400 lathe, pc) and Mach 3 several years ago and am interested in what CAD/CAM software others are using. I use this equipment for hobby purposes in my garage and am primarily working with aluminum.

I have downloaded trial versions of BobCAD and Dolphin CAD CAM in the last few days. After reading numerous reviews about Bobcad (and following a hard sales pitch phonecall) I am inclined to delete the installation files and not even bother with trying it. I've just downloaded the Dolphin software today and have watched several of their tutorials and it looks promising.

I'm on a fairly tight budget and would like to know what others with similar equipment are using and how satisfied they are with their purchase. I notice that Dolphin has a "hobby" tab on their website, but no pricing information. I don't expect anything for free, but I don't want to throw a lot of money away on gross overkill or something that doesn't meet my (as of now undetermined...) needs. I'm interested in making items for RC airplanes, stirling engines and a variety of other "moron magnets" that have been floating around in my head.

Aside from taking a year of metal shop in high school (20+ years ago) I'm relatively new to this and wish I had jumped in much earlier. Thanks to all who share their thoughts and experiences.

Rick

[bostosh]

Rick,
your software choices are somewhat dependent upon your part complexity. PM me for cheap advice.
R/C aircraft, let's make parts. into composites maybe?
BrianO

[harley4ever]

I'm a Dolphin user myself and think highly of Partmaster PRO. I also use the lathe package altho not quite as much. It was once a hobby for me, now extended a bit further.

[rwsduc]

I'm a Dolphin user myself and think highly of Partmaster PRO. I also use the lathe package altho not quite as much. It was once a hobby for me, now extended a bit further.

Thanks for your reply Harley. By chance do you use a rotary table for any of your mill work? I'd like to try cutting gears down the road.

Rick

[harley4ever]

I don't personally but a good Joe of mine does regularly. Eventually.

[blowlamp]

CamBam is a very potent CAM application and only $149.
There's a great support forum here CamBam - Index


Martin.