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« on: May 23, 2017, 09:41:45 AM »
Hey guys (and gals), I've posted a couple of questions before and gotten some responses which I appreciate. I am new to the CNC Plasma scene but have been doing metal work for a few years now. I mostly build hand rails, mailbox posts, and other household items. I wanted to add the CNC capability to expand my lineup but am having a difficult time getting going. I purchased a DIY Eagle Plasma 4x4 table from a guy that used it to make parts for his hobby vehicles. I got the whole package from him except for the plasma cutter which I already had. He included a couple of computers and the software. I found out one of the computers won't work as-is since it has a 64-bit operating system. The other computer is an old XP machine and will work but I'm still having trouble. The previous owner had a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52 plasma cutter and I have a Cutmaster 38 so I thought it would be an easy transition, but I was wrong.
I am at the point that I want to start over from scratch with this system and need some help getting going. Here is what I know about the system:
QCad drawing software
Lazy Cam or Sheet Cam software (I cannot get SheetCam to produce the complete code needed to cut a project, and don't know which Post processor to use)
Mach3 Software, latest version
Proma THC, previous owner was unable to get it to work
Eagle Plasma 4'x4' table with hand torch floating head bracket
Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38 plasma cutter
For a beginner, what are the steps I need to take to get going and what advice do you have to offer?
Thanks