Just watching for now....

Greetings,

I thought I should be letting you good folks know a little about what I do. My primary interest is the use of CNC controls for automating repetitive operations and making parts.

I am in the process of building the forms for a wooden hulled runabout. I will use this CNC equipment to cut the parts and pieces.

I built a ShopBot last year. I have a 50" x 218" cutting area. As mine is a cable drive unit, I will be converting to gear drive soon. On thing I am considering is using Gates belting in lieu of the gear rack.

I also plan on converting a mill and a lathe to CNC. I have a Dan Mauch bipolar board but it is not assembled. I have a few 130 oz/in 34 size steppers and may build around them.

I am now looking at several design programs for boats. I have looked at NeWave sys. and am thinking about Rhino. Rhino would be more versatile, I think.

The learning curve on any new software is challenging. I use VisualCADD for 2D layout and will probably stay with it. I may buy the new Turbo CAD v6 and try to learn 3D or might try Rhino. Any suggestions?

Well, I'll have more comments after I finish reading the archives, I'm in the middle of May now - and confused.

Ron