Ready to start, free CAD & CAM software?

Hi all.

My Milling machine has finally been converted to CNC control, I have tested everything I know, so the 240 & 24 volt side of things seems ok

I back to the dreaded question of software again, I think I have settled on MACH 3 has everyone seems to agree it's the easiest for beginners and comes with excellent support (I will probably need it) I would like some very cheap, preferably free CAD & CAM software until I get proficient at creating drawings and converting them to G Code, I have looked at FreeCad & Draftsight but I prefer 3D as that will be my main interest. Can anyone who has had this experience from novice to user recommend what i should use.

Regards

RayAttachment 10467

If you remove the handles you'll get far higher acceleration and probably higher speed than with them attached.

Cambam, CamBam CNC Software is good to start with.

Ray,

Suggest you put shielded cable on your steppers other wise your asking for trouble.!!

Agree with Jonathan regards CamBam being good start.

I'm another complete novice, but came across this cnc4free.org homepage through following a link on here somewhere. The guy who's site it is has produced a free e-book downloadable from his site direct, it's a real step by step guide, and you can't really go wrong.
He also has a list of links to free software that will take you from idea to completion of a project.

Thanks Jazz

Already done, i uploaded an old photo.

Regards

Ray

Hi Jonathen

Thanks for the tip, but i am not into speed yet, my machine is only small and the top rpm is only 1,600 so i will not be cutting anything too exotic or doing mass production.

Regards

Ray