Am I doing this backwards?


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Thread: Am I doing this backwards?

  1. #1
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    Default Am I doing this backwards?

    I'm ready to hop into the fray as a CNC hobbyist. I have two mentors lined up (that don't know each other) to give me sage advice, but I've already run into a problem. I need a new roof, so the money set aside for a CNC machine is pretty much gone. My goal is to build my own machine from scratch. I was thinking that in the meantime I could get a computer and the CAD software, so when the machine actually gets built, I will have parts already designed and waiting to be made.

    Is that putting the cart before the horse?

    Also, I'm a Mac guy, so it looks like I'd have to buy a computer, but from what I've read so far, I'm better off with an older model with a serial port. Is that true? Can I still buy CAD software that works on old computers? Also, one of my mentors uses a Raspberry PI and an Arduino. Do those interface well with a laptop? And I want to eventually add a 4th axis lathe to the mix.

    I also want my design computer to be a laptop. I travel for business, and it would be nice to be able to design in a hotel on the road.

    Thanks!

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  2. #2
    Member ger21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Am I doing this backwards?

    No, it's not backwards.
    Actually, learning all of the software first will make things a lot easier later.

    Look at Fusion 360 for CAD/CAM if you want to use a mac.

    You can't use a mac to control your machine, but I'm not familiar with the Arduino stuff.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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Am I doing this backwards?

Am I doing this backwards?