What do you make with your CNCs?

[Bill Jobe]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Lots to think about.

[Bill George]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Lots to think about.

But if your just interested as a hobby, go for it. Most of the $2,000 or under hobby grade machines come with VCarve or VCarve Pro that lets you design without a whole lot of computer design knowledge. You still need basic computer skills and must be willing to learn new software. http://www.vectric.com/products/vcarve.htm

The CarveWright system is also available and some say its easy to use. With it however your tied into buying just about everything you need from them. http://www.carvewright.com/

[William Adams]

As a very basic CAD/CAM program, Carbide Create is a free, locally installable download --- it'll let you draw up a file, and assign toolpaths, and even has a 3D preview so that you can see what your projects will look like.

carbide3d.com/carbidecreate/

FWIW, I bought Vectric Vcarve Desktop for one project, but since they added texturing and improved the V carving in CC haven't used Vectric (but yes, I do work for the company which makes CC)