[dbtoutfit]

I got my 3 axis machine going and I have installed mach, what I'm woundering is, is mach going to be to much for a complete cnc newbie and would my money be better spent on say Routeout cnc software?

I would like to be able to do work in Adobe Photoshop and etch the drawings, plus I would like to do signage.

I am really just over whelmed, I swear the more I read the more confused I get lol theres simply to many choices and I do not have enuff cnc knowledge to make a sound choice.

I have spent alot of money (alot of money to me) on my machine and I'm really trying to keep the rest on the light side. To give you an idea bobart for 995 is to much to me for knowing nothing right now. I have ran a few gcodes and cut things out of card board to get the run of things.

I hate to make this long but why im at it, Every time I set my Z axis depth and run a gcode it seems to have a mind of its own. i seem to be having to set the dpeth paper thin so that the tool drops far enuff. I have edited the g codes in notepad I think I just need to play with the starting depth more so that I can have the bit 1/2 inch off the work pc till its ready to plung.

Ok im gona stop as this is already to long.

I thank anyone that takes the time to read this and replys...

[turmite]

dbtoutfit the first thing to do, is take a deep breath and relax. It sounds to me like you are just beginning in the learning process and trust me, relaxation will help.

Tell us about your knowledge and skill level, you cad/cam experience etc.

Then tell us about your machine. Knowing background info can be real helpful in giving direction or advice.

Mike

[dbtoutfit]

I dont really have any cam or cad experiance.

My machine is a 3axis i think 280oz steppers. Hobby style router cnc with a rotozip..

[turmite]

Mach control software is exactly what you need. Yes it is somewhat daunting at first but Art has the video tutorials up on his support site and if you have one of the Mach series controllers you get lazycam for free. Lazycam will take several different file types and make machine code from them. The thing about mach software is the support. There is none better. It is made up of Art plus a handful of select users who know their stuff, plus thousands of users, like me, that will help when and where they can. The support is all free.

Mike