[s3648]

I built this router table over the last 6 months or so. Using real baltic birch (NON-CHINISE) and the skate bearing linear slides. I used the standard newbie 1/2-10 amce leadscrews and probotix steppers. I built the McWire design Circuit with resistors instead of lightbulbs.

Now the problem. I have my router running fine with the free k-cam. But will need to purchase controll software (turns out 250-500 lines of g-code is a grain of sand in a dessert!) and I have scoured CNCZone on this subject, but most of the posts are from 2006 and do not consider the software upgrades that have happened since.

My Intended Use: Woodworker by trade. I am invisioning carving panels for cabinets, maybe some jointery, some signs. Milling parts for jigs and such. (of course using it to build my next cnc machine!!)

I own and am fluent in:
AutoCAD R14
Sketchup
Photoshop

so here is what seems to make sense to me:

1. Kellycam works great, but doesn't seem that most CAM programs post to it. I thought about Freemill and KCAM but that wont do text very easy.
2. The hobbiest standard seems to be Mach3. I am good with that, however, CAM programs are new to me. I have downloaded and played with MeshCAM, SheetCAM, CamBam , and LazyCAM plus.

Seems to me meshCAM+Mach3 bundle ($300) is more geared to what I'm trying to do.

Anybody out there been there, done that?