Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Vector Cam

Ok, I understand...

> VectorCam with 3D surface
>List Price: $1,595.00
>Powerful 3D surface modeling and machining, includes Lathe, Mill, 4 axis

wire EDM.

This price tag is the only thing I'm thinking about. $300 to $700 is what I
would consider "GOOD" and "RESONABLE" but I see that price as geared towards
businesses... That is all.... But I understand your point completely.
Sooo, I will go back to my original question that I started with on this
thread, "*BUT*" there are people like Mr Galt1 that get too easily iritated,
so I will end this...
I'm not sure if you answered my question Tim. I was curious what the Vector
Cad software cost the list people, $300-$500?? I call that a good price.
Is this correct?

Vince

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Goldstein" <timg@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 11:03 AM
Subject: RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Vector Cam


> Vince,
>
> Yes this is a hobby list, but you will rapidly find that CNC is a very
> expensive hobby. We had this same discussion about a month or so ago. My
> take on the general consensus is that people just starting out with CNC
> feel that any software with a price tag $100 or more is too expensive
> for hobby use. On the other hand it seems many people who have a machine
> up and running will gladly pay much more for software. I think it has
> something to do with looking at the total amount spent on the machine.
> When you are just starting and setting your budget for $30/axis drives
> and hoping to get a machine together for a few hundred $$ conversion
> cost than the software seems out of the price range. After you get the
> machine together and running and have upgraded the drives to $1xx/axis
> Geckos, get accustom to buying $25 couplers and pulleys, start pricing
> and buying ball screws, etc. spending a few hundred $$ on software
> becomes trivial. It also can rapidly become the least expensive way to
> increase your capabilities.
>
> In my mind you really need to budget at least $300 - $700 for software.
> What that will buy you is a machine controller package ($0 - $200, EMC,
> TurboCNC, Mach1, DeskWinNC/DeskCNC, CNCPro) and a CAD/CAM package ($300
> - $500, Vector, Dolphin, DeskCNC). Yes I know that there are plenty of
> people who are using free CAD/CAM tools, but it can be a frustrating and
> limiting way to go. I think you will find that anyone who had invested
> in a real CAD/CAM package and invested the effort to learn it thinks it
> was money well spent. I have never hear a person that bought Vector or
> Dolphin say they prefer to use one of the freebies.
>
> Just for the record, my investment in software was all made before I
> started dealing in the Sherline products. The software I have was all
> bought for hobby usage. OK, I will admit that like many on this list I
> do from time to time use my hobby machines to make something I can sell
> and therefore generate some cash out of it. But that is an option
> available to all of us and it is a great way to defray the costs of this
> hobby.
>
> Bottom line is this hobby costs $$ and like most things in life the more
> expensive stuff works better. Yes you can put together a machine for a
> couple hundred $$ using threaded rod, Home Depot slides, wood parts,
> and free software and it will have some capabilities. For someone
> starting out and trying to learn this hobby it can be a smart way to go.
> But it will not have the capabilities of a Sherline, Taig, mill drill,
> or a Bridgeport. On the other hand if someone's goal is to have a hobby
> cutting parts for their model railroad buddies and a CNC machine is just
> the tool to get the job done than it probably makes sense to spend some
> money out of the chute as the hobby is really cutting chips not building
> machines.
>
> Bottom line is different people approach this hobby in different ways
> and with different resources. Same as every other hobby. Heck, I have
> one neighbor who wanted to get into boating and bought a canoe. I have
> another who bought a $20,000 speed boat instead. Both are recreational
> boaters, but they had different resources and needs. Same thing applies
> in the CNC world. What you will find interesting is that you can learn a
> lot from both ends of the spectrum and then pick for yourself what suits
> you the best. My best advise is keep an open mind and don't let the $$
> scare you.
>
> Tim
> [Denver, CO]
> Sherline products at Deep Discount
> Mach1 and DeskCNC with credit card ordering
> www.KTMarketing.com/Sherline
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > I thought this list was geared toward hobby type support,
> > shying a bit from Commercialism that any Internet Search
> > would only point you to. The retail price seems a bit steep
> > from where I'm standing. A price maybe a business could
> > afford, but the Hobbyist? What is the discount offered to list people?
> >
> > You deal in Sherline products.... Of course you would have
> > plenty invested in software for many reasons, could easily
> > deduct from taxes the full amounts, and possibly make plenty
> > of cash using this software to create perfect duplicates each
> > time. But if you take my point of view, its slightly
> > different. But let me dive into my safe-zone and say, "This
> > is from my (hobbyist) point
> > of view." :)
> >
> > Hey! one more thing! Just celebrated New Years at my home
> > and my 1 year old girl wouldnt sleep so I was holding her.
> > Just as the clock hit 12:00 my kid threw-up on me worse than
> > I've ever experienced. My wife and I laughed our asses off!
> > Man,... Is that a bad omen or what!!!??? I even took a final
> > sip of my Champagne only to realize afterwards that some
> > went in there too! Gast!!
> > So I hope yours went better than mine!
> >
> > Happy New Year!
> >
> > Vince
>
>
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