Sources for CAD software

[OldCarGuy]

I agree, drifting off course isn't really an issue. We could start a separate thread if necessary, but there isn't really any need.

Thanks for clarifying that your thoughts on runaway threads. Les us not forget how the machining   industry of today evolved. CAD/CAM was the buzz word in the 1980's. And began with computer aided design. Before the computer was involved all engineering departments were rows of drafting tables that looked like the Hamilton in my basement office.

In my opinion, the best designers were once machinists. They understand the machining process of what it takes to machine a piece in steel. Always in the mindset making a part drawing easiest to produce...

[mdlbldrmatt135]

In my opinion, the best designers were once machinists. They understand the machining process of what it takes to machine a piece in steel. Always in the mindset making a part drawing easiest to produce...

As A CAD Designer of 20+ years now, Using NX (formerly Unigraphics), I credit it to having a Machining, and welding class tied to the CAD class I too at the Local Vo-Tech During HS.  My Dad was also a Machinist, and always drilled into me, if you're not sure, Ask the Programmers/Operators/Machinists.  I've had to "school" more than my share of engineers, in making stuff easier to make.

[Adasha_Machining]

Back to swinging us way off topic - allow me to share grievances...

Our main aerospace customer must have a new designer/engineer...
Every corner has a fillet or chamfer, they've got 45° chamfers on inside corners... And is denoting drill sizes that don't exist all over the place... Tell me, what drill is a 0.557"??

The prints for the last 3 sample parts I've recieved in the past few days have been dismal...
Aaand, I don't normally have to do one off samples for these types of fixture/parts. So, they're obviously designing and testing the design. Not normal.

[Bill Gruby]

Guhring Drills #9005570060000  (.557-.6000)  That's what a .557 Drill  Bit is. It's an aerospace Spot Drill


"Billy G"

[Adasha_Machining]

I promise this designer doesn't know that. It's a thru hole, anyways. None of the other drill holes are common sizes either.

[Bill Gruby]

Guhring makes drills that size to drill thru also. Thia stuff is  easy to find. It's part of your job as a machinist. Ask the designer where he came up with that number?

 "Billy G"

[Adasha_Machining]

I have no access to the designer.

I understand that every conceivable size is available through various means - I've searched for and bought them... I have Guhring micro boring bars and their quick connect system, expensive 10.65mm carbide flat bottom drills designed for nylon6... And so on...
My point was - unless you're making some supercalifragilistic space age design, stick to the standards like 99% of the engineers and designers who've grown up a bit. I don't want to deal with some new graduate engineer who feels like being fancy pants and wanting to stretch his engineering legs.
I'm not going to search for and order an expensive drill for a cap that's designed to protect screw threads from chrome application, and you needed a hole to let gasses escape... Give your head a shake and design a hole with standard sizes...

[TerryWerm]

Now I know why I'm happy driving a truck for a living and machining my own projects just for fun!

[Bill Gruby]

I totally agree with you Shawn. Now you have another problem -- Making them agree with you.

 "Billy G"

[Adasha_Machining]

I already made the parts, delivered, and moved on. And thanked them for their continued patronage.
Sometimes a guys just gotta gripe about it all.

[propforward]

You would have to go pretty far of the topic to be off topic here. We do this quite often. Here Drafting is drafting no matter how you accomplish it the end result is the same.

  "Billy G"

Sounds good to me! My kind of forum. 

[Piggiron]

Friend of mine just told me about "FreeCAD" (https://www.freecad.org/). It's a free 3D CAD program. I just downloaded it and will be playing around with it to see how I like it.
He told me it has a lot of tutorials available.

[34_40]

Friend of mine just told me about "FreeCAD" (https://www.freecad.org/). It's a free 3D CAD program. I just downloaded it and will be playing around with it to see how I like it.
He told me it has a lot of tutorials available.

Thanks. I did download it and over the coming weeks I'll investigate and noodle around. Who knows where it goes?!?!?

[4GSR]

I should have narrowed my title a little by indicating CAD software for home shop use.  I won't.  Keep the comments coming! All are good one's.
Ken

[Piggiron]

I watched a suggested YouTube video on free CAD programs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J--QVhGheP4
One of the programs he discusses is Ondsel ES. According to him, it's a business owned program that still free, based on FreeCAD, but not open source like FreeCAD. His opinion is that Ondsel ES is more intuitive and easier to use than FreeCAD.
If you want to listen yourself, there are hyperlinked time stamp in the video description. Just click the time stamp for a particular program.
Here's the timestamp for Ondsel ES.
14:57 Ondsel ES (built on FreeCAD)