Drill Press or Drill/Mill ?

[Shield Arc]

I used to use Ceneric Cadd for my construction projects until Autodesk bought it and killed it, about 20 yrs. ago. would like to find something like that again. What are you using?

I use AutoCad LT 2000, (I think). Shop around ebay for some good prices, but make sure you get a full version, and a license! If not soon as you log onto the Internet AutoDesk has you.

NEW AUTODESK AUTOCAD LT 2012 (PERMANENT LICENSE) | eBay

 

[Artisan]

The best way to get the AutoDesk software on the cheap is to register as a student at a college / whatnot and buy the student software. I think AUTOCAD is like 600 bux for a student VS crazy what, 8grand w/o? Or pay a kid to buy it for you. (Caveat Emptor)

Google SketchUp is FREE, I said FREE and it is very powerful. If I were to learn over again I think I would seriously consider Google SketchUp. I would look and see if there are conversion software programs to convert from SkecthUp to dwg and dxf files and if so, just grab a free copy and start watching the video tutorials...

It is Really cool. I actually DL'd Google SketchUp a few days ago and watched one Video, I am very impressed. You will be drawing in 3D in 15 minutes! BELEIEVE IT .

I do not know wnything about what Shield Arc speaks of, the Ebay thing but dang, if it works that is a killer price.

 

[Shield Arc]

For years I was using a copy of AutoCad that belonged to the company I worked for. Well one day I got hit with a virus! Computer guy had to wipe my hard drive clean, no more AutoCad! I bought a real old version off of ebay, then turned around and bought a brand new upgrade version. Got the latest and greatest version of AutoCad for pennys on the dollar.
I taught myself with the help of this book. This book made it real easy to learn, the author writes where people like me can understand.
Here's the first drawing I came across.

 

[jake98]

I tried Sketchup for a few minutes, it seemed whacky, I didn't really give it a chance.. have to revisit it, I guess.

That mill is back-ordered, after all the gut wrenching decisions I think I'm gonna just cancel it. Pisses me off, I was sweating over the decision...

 

[deereman75]

I tried Sketchup for a few minutes, it seemed whacky, I didn't really give it a chance.. have to revisit it, I guess.

That mill is back-ordered, after all the gut wrenching decisions I think I'm gonna just cancel it. Pisses me off, I was sweating over the decision...

I think that is for the better. I have seen bridgeports for not much more then that, and that would be a much better mill.

 

[BobRip]

I tried Sketchup for a few minutes, it seemed whacky, I didn't really give it a chance.. have to revisit it, I guess.

That mill is back-ordered, after all the gut wrenching decisions I think I'm gonna just cancel it. Pisses me off, I was sweating over the decision...

I think back-ordered is standard for them. Both my drill press and mill were back ordered from Grizzly.

 

[LD1]

I tried Sketchup for a few minutes, it seemed whacky, I didn't really give it a chance.. have to revisit it, I guess.

That mill is back-ordered, after all the gut wrenching decisions I think I'm gonna just cancel it. Pisses me off, I was sweating over the decision...

Maybe thats a sign:laughing:

 

[KBarD]

For not much more than the price of a drill press you can get a mini-mill (small milling machine), which is much more powerful. See for example
LittleMachineShop.com - HiTorque Mini Mill, Tilting Column
Of course a used Bridgeport would be even better but they are hard to find and take a lot more space.

- Doug

 

[dstig1]

I guess it depends on the area. No Bridgeports go for anywhere near that cheap here. I'd count on 3-5k...or more. Unless the ways are shot and it needs total rebuild. Check your area and see...

 

[jake98]

Of course a used Bridgeport would be even better ...
- Doug

Welcome to the forum Doug.

My shop is way too crowded for a Bridgeport. Plus, I never even used a mill, that would be overkill as a learner machine for me. I'm still lookin'...

 

[jake98]

I guess it depends on the area. No Bridgeports go for anywhere near that cheap here. I'd count on 3-5k...or more. Unless the ways are shot and it needs total rebuild. Check your area and see...

I searched a bit today on them, that's what I was seeing Dave. There was one for $1700 that looked like it may have been the first one ever made, might have been a good deal but I really can't fit one, and don't want to buy a project either.

 

[dstig1]

Yeah, looks like you and I both need to move to where these other guys are :laughing:

 

[jake98]

The guy got back to me on the Bridgeport for $1750. It's a 1958, so it's not that old, a year younger than me...
Guess I'll check into it further.

 

[bearcreek paul]

Up in my area in NE PA you can find the old m head bridgeports if your patient for 1000 or under in decent shape.There is a old brown & sharpe no 1 horizontal for sale for 500$ currently.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Wholesale tool has this small knee mill for $1895, $800 less than Grizzly.
6" x 26" Knee Milling Machine (WT)
They also have the square column mill-drill for comparison.
Geared Head Mill & Drill with Rigid Dovetail Column (WT)

 

[Turbys_1700]

The best way to get the AutoDesk software on the cheap is to register as a student at a college / whatnot and buy the student software. I think AUTOCAD is like 600 bux for a student VS crazy what, 8grand w/o? Or pay a kid to buy it for you. (Caveat Emptor)

Google SketchUp is FREE, I said FREE and it is very powerful. If I were to learn over again I think I would seriously consider Google SketchUp. I would look and see if there are conversion software programs to convert from SkecthUp to dwg and dxf files and if so, just grab a free copy and start watching the video tutorials...

It is Really cool. I actually DL'd Google SketchUp a few days ago and watched one Video, I am very impressed. You will be drawing in 3D in 15 minutes! BELEIEVE IT .

I do not know wnything about what Shield Arc speaks of, the Ebay thing but dang, if it works that is a killer price.

I teach AutoCad and Solid Edge here at the community college...
Enroll in a class and AutoCad is very affordable...
Sketch Up is the best thing since sliced bread...
Not as powerful as a full blown modeler like Edge or Solid Works but very useful and intuitive...
AutoCad has a steep learning curve as they have left the old command structure available in the newer versions...
Many different ways to input the same command...
There are a lot of used CNC machines here in the Hickory area that can be had from machinery liquidators for penny's on the dollar...
Very good buys for those wanting to get into the business or just as a hobby...
It is very satisfying drawing out your parts and then making them...

 

[mx842]

I had never used any cad program and am dumb as a rock when it comes to trying to figure out how to use them. I downloaded sketch up and almost threw my computer out the window after only 30 minutes or so. I found another free program called DraftSight and after playing around with it a few times I think I could get something out of this program if I had the time to devote to it.

You can check it out here to get an idea of what it is like if you want to try something else.

Free CAD software * for your DWG files: DraftSight - Dassault Systèmes

 

[dstig1]

I tried Sketchup years ago and it was frustrating to me. I just installed it a couple nights ago again as I need something at home for occasional use. I still find it very frustrating. After 20+ years of using "real" CAD systems, SU will drive you bonkers. I've got a handle on it, at least enough to get by, but I find the quirks to be maddening. The one that drives me the most nuts is on dimensions.

While SU holds onto dimensions of things, you can’t easily change them. Make a 3x4 rectangle and extrude it out to 2”. You can directly enter the values at the beginning to get exactly those numbers and all is good. It will stay at those dimensions forever, and if you measure you can get them. But say you decide you want the box to be 5” long now instead of 2. You cannot click on it and edit the 2” dimension to 5”. The only thing you can do is grab that face and pull it out 3” more, to equal 5”. The dimensions are in there and accurate, but they cannot be used to drive anything. That is just dumb to me, but it is the way SU operates. My standard practice in other systems would be to click on the box, open it up, click on the dimension to change, change it and save out of that feature. Where it really drives you nuts in SU is if you forget to enter the initial dimension so you get some random fraction. Now try to find the difference between the 5" you wanted and the 3 37/64" you actually got by accident so you can extend it to 5". Isn't this what we have computers for? Why should I need to do that math "offline"?

Now even the SU guys admit what they are and aren't. They will tell you that it isn't a "real" CAD package but is meant more for conceptual and free-form work. I can see that and how it works better that way. Everything has it's limits, but SU seems to have a bit of the overprotective user base that poo-poos anyone who doesn't like it. I see it on their forum a lot. If you are totally new to CAD it might be easier to pick up, but I couldn't say for sure. It is a totally different concept of 3d design, for better or worse.

I'll have to check out Draftsight. Thanks for the tip.

 

[jake98]

I had never used any cad program and am dumb as a rock when it comes to trying to figure out how to use them. I downloaded sketch up and almost threw my computer out the window after only 30 minutes or so. I found another free program called DraftSight and after playing around with it a few times I think I could get something out of this program if I had the time to devote to it.

You can check it out here to get an idea of what it is like if you want to try something else.

Free CAD software * for your DWG files: DraftSight - Dassault Syst鑪es

Thanks so much, that looks like a good one. Lots of utube instruction too, by the looks of it. :thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

When I got transferred from the field to the office, and got a view from the other side of the fence. Watching engineers do AutoCad, I just had to learn it! Someone explained AutoCad to me like this. Look at AutoCad as a great big roll away tool box. AutoCad as about a billion tools, I only need maybe 40 tools to do what I want. Learn what each tool does, and your on your way.

Personally I have no use for any drawing program that won't let you draw by coordinates.