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I'm trying to choose a budget CAM solution. I was hoping for free, but HeeksCAD and PyCam didn't work out. I need something more polished and supported while I make it through my ignorance....

Thanks for the help, and for making me think about this differently. I'm not sure if I'm speaking correctly about pulleys, but the machine is definitely belt driven (as opposed to my manual mini mill...

I've tried searching, but I can't seem to pull together the right info. I'm sure it's out there, I just don't know enough about the motors and controllers yet. I'd really appreciate any help you guys...

Just had an epiphany (or a momentary lack of idiocy) and realized that the "Native Units" in Mach3 is set to MM. I'm guessing that is the cause and that I should use the metric post processors...

I'm in the process of setting up a new cnc router and evaluating cut2d/cut3d and I'm getting unexpected behavior when using the g-code files it generates. The machine is set up and moving all axis as...

My first thought was the wrong nut, but I spoke with the precise bits people and they informed me that the nut for the Hitachi and Bosch is the same part. Since it works perfectly on the Bosch they...

I'm setting up a ZenBot 2424 machine and I initially bought a Hitachi M12VC router based on their suggestion. Unfortunately, something about the collet changed on that router and the precision collet...

Yeah, I'm hoping that the HeeksCAD developers clean up their install instructions on github soon. It definitely looks like its in flux right now. But at least we know it's actively being worked on!
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Yeah, I'm sure there is quite a variety of approaches in garages. I just like to approach my learning in a professional way, even with my hobbies. I feel like I do better work when I take that...

I'm dealing with the same thing right now. The most interesting stuff I've found is:

HeeksCAD (also has a CAM add on)
https://github.com/Heeks/heekscad

PyCAM
PyCAM - Toolpath Generation for...

Did you just refer to Rhino as cheap? If so, I'm interested because I thought it was around $1000. Considering this is a hobby in my garage for now, that's not cheap for me.

I do have an older...

http://thingiverse-rerender.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/c3/84/8e/b8/75/1_Mark_II_Head_preview_featured.jpg

Ok, here's a better example. Definitely a 3D part, but I wouldn't want those holes to be...

http://s14.postimage.org/j655ujzst/25d_test.jpg

Ugh, I hesitated to post this for two reasons. One, I don't know how well SketchUp will be received on this forum. And two, I'd like to avoid the...

I've finished my machine build and am now trying to decide on a CAM package. My top two favorites right now are MeshCAM and Cut3D. I'm leaning slightly towards Cut3D because of the very helpful...

So does that mean that true 3D machining would require additional software, such as Cut3D?

I'm just starting out myself (as a hobbyist) and I don't have too much to add yet, but I'm very curious to see the responses.

Perhaps you could give some more detail on the type of parts you will...

That's a good point about the precision bits. The other thing I was thinking about was the included software. I think I've heard that it is from Vectric, whose software demos I have really liked....

Unfortunately, that would exceed both my budget and my physical space. This is meant for a small prototyping shop. I don't expect to derive income directly form this machine...although that might...

I've talked myself out of the exciting sounding laser cutter and realized that a CNC Router would serve my needs better. I've been doing some research and I'm having a hard time choosing. Pay less...

Yeah, that is a possibility. But I really like to stay on the Mac as much as possible. I've got a couple of CAD/Design options going there already with my 3D printer.

It's just the G-Code piece...

So I fired up LinuxCNC and found that the distance per step was different than the default setting in Mach3. So just like wizard was saying, I got that right and things started to make a whole lot...

I was just looking into HeeksCAD and CNC, but I had a hell of a time trying to find installable versions. I looked at Heek's blog, his code.google.com page, and the new github page. I'd love to run...

Thanks for the welcoming reply and the CamBam suggestion. I'll download the demo and give it a try. There's quite a range of software (and prices) out there so it's good to hear a recommendation.
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After letting it sit in a box for almost 7 years, I have finally installed my CNC conversion kit for my Harbor Freight mill. The hardware install went fine, but I am having some software issues that...