New to Plasma cutting

[Badenglish]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to plasma cutting, but not to CNC. I have worked as a CNC Machinist for 25 years, including full 5 axis and looking at something to keep me busy as I get ready for retirement. I have used several software's, SolidWorks, Surfcam, Bobcad/Cam, Feature Cam and currently NX...Looking for something good I can afford at home as a hobbyist, for kind of artsy stuff. Everything I've done is 3D Modeling so 2D is new to me. I am an old dog learning new tricks. Seemed like it would be easier but lots of stuff to learn. This is just a hobby for now but future side money after retirement.

I plan on purchasing equipment within the next year, so any recommendations on a 4X4 CNC table, software for 2D, is appreciated. I live in central Florida so local recommendations for the table would be great for pick up.

As a lurker for the past few days has help greatly but time-consuming searching treads. Not retired yet. Ha Ha.

Thanks

Bad English

[acourtjester]

There are some free software programs that will work fine for 2-D. For artsy stuff many use Inkscape lots of info here about the operations of for different projects. And there are free CAD type software too QCAD is one. Your 3-D work should give you a great start, like starter sketches being 2-D.
You may keep your ear out for a used table or maybe a langmuir as a new starter system.

[adbuch]

Welcome aboard! With your cnc and cad/cam experience - you should be up and running with the 2D stuff in no-time. I personally own the Plasmacam DHC2 4x4 table with the Plasmacam Design Edge software and highly recommend both. Langmuir also offers some very nice reasonably priced entry level tables which I would not hesitate to recommend. Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists) is great, and I also like Inkscape. You can use the search tool to find more about these as well as other programs, cutting tables, etc. Let us know if you have specific questions and we will try to answer them for you.
David

[Badenglish]

Thanks for the replies and recommendations, they are much appreciated.

Larry