What to go with ?!

[xtremist]

hey guys

im new here, and am thinking about buying a table in the next few months after things slow down a bit and ill be able to have some spare time to commit to assembling/playing with one. or maybe i should say learning, as ive never had anything to do with cnc. any ideas on what to go with ? how hard is it to learn the software side of it ? i would like to stay around the 10k or less mark.... ive researched it a little bit, ive seen lots of good reviews on premiers stuff, ive even sent him a few messages but he doesnt seem to really want to deal with me, maybe because im a canadian i dont know. anyone have any opinions, experiences etc that theyd like to share ?

thanks for the input
landon

[acourtjester]

Where are you located I know a guy in Alberta that may help with learning software if you visit.
Maybe someone here know of a manufacturer up there.

[ben de lappe]

Hi Landon and welcome.
In order to determine which setup would serve you best it would best serve you to know what you intend to manufacture with said setup. In other words any specific market do you wish to enter, are you wanting to make art or parts? There's many ways to get a table. You can research and build your own. Many members here have done so and are very satisfied with their results and have posted more than a few build threads here. Search feature works wonders. Personally speaking drawing is the most difficult aspect associated with cnc plasma to master. Whatever you decide to go with as soon as you know what CAD you wish to use get it and start practicing. Even if it's months before you start your actual build get familiar with it and put time in often as you can. Practice, familiarization and determination is all it takes.

[xtremist]

im also in alberta actually, an hour north of calgary. i dont have any experience personally using cad programs, so i cant say one way or another about a "preference" haha. i dont really have a specific use in mind per se, id like to be able to do some metal art, there are certainly some awesome stuff done in that area that i wouldnt mind doing, but at the same time i dont really wnt to be limited to just that... i am a certified welder and an experienced custom fabricator by hand, and i could see this machine lending quite a hand in regards to custom fab...

[xtremist]

Hi Landon and welcome.
In order to determine which setup would serve you best it would best serve you to know what you intend to manufacture with said setup. In other words any specific market do you wish to enter, are you wanting to make art or parts? There's many ways to get a table. You can research and build your own. Many members here have done so and are very satisfied with their results and have posted more than a few build threads here. Search feature works wonders. Personally speaking drawing is the most difficult aspect associated with cnc plasma to master. Whatever you decide to go with as soon as you know what CAD you wish to use get it and start practicing. Even if it's months before you start your actual build get familiar with it and put time in often as you can. Practice, familiarization and determination is all it takes.

do have a good cad recomendation ? wheres a good place to get it, whats it worth ?

thanks

[53hudson]

Hi Landon I am in Alberta also and I sent you a private message re visiting me along with my phone number.

[acourtjester]

I would recommend Inkscape it is free and fairly easy to learn, there are thousands of video tutorials on YouTube that discus a function at a time. It will do simple CAD works, not a full blown CAD program but will help to wrap your mind around the concept.

[ben de lappe]

do have a good cad recomendation ? wheres a good place to get it, whats it worth ? thanks

As Ac states Inkscape would probably be the ticket. Many people use it with success, I however haven't really tried to learn it as I'm as old school and stubborn as they come...and currently without the time to devote to learning new software.

[xtremist]

ill check it out, thanks for the help guys