Does anyone out there have a preference for easy to use 2d software a dummy can easily use. I have the table to quickly and efficiently make parts for farm related building projects. Like plates with holes in them. Nothing fancy just has to work.
With that do I need Sheetcam to make the g code after parts are drawn out?
Any preferences for the plasma box itself?
Thanks to all who respond 
I love Fusion for how easy it is to use, and the fact that it’s free.
Yes, you will need a cam software to create g-code, whether it be sheetcam or fusion for g-code.Sheetcam has basic shapes that you can create from and hole patterns in the older software. How ever sheetcam has come out with new software that is cad and cam program all in one now. Or you can use fusion for cad and Cam. I use sheetcam for cam and other programs for cad.
Since it sounds like you will be very low volume and do not need fine detail cutting, I recommend a low budget system. Save your money for a press brake for those brackets/plates and other farm tools:
Primeweld Cut 60 with a UPM 105 machine torch and non-commercial (free) version of Fusion 360 to do CAD/CAM. I have this brand cutter and I use Fusion. I’ve cut up to 3/4" mild steel without problems.
No matter which brand you buy
Assuming you might be cutting some thicker stuff (5/8-3/4") there on the farm, I would confirm the max thickness/duty cycle on any cutter you research. Assuming you have a Langmuir Sys, make sure they are not high frequency start. Check compatibility list:
I have the plasma table now and it is assembled. Thanks for your version of what you have. I will keep up the research of what you have. Still would like to have a press brake to. I have a tool acquisition issue in my head. I love em. Any feedback on the langmuir pressbrake?
Have a great Monday
Thanks for that information. I will continue the search for what works for me. Have a great Monday
You could always sign up for the free version of fusion 360 and play around with it and see if it will work for you. In my opinion the Sheetmetal modeling tools would be helpful for what you are doing. You could obviously get away with using a much simpler program like QCAD which is also free. There will be lots of people who disagree with me on this… but I think fusion is easier to use than QCAD simply because, being an Autodesk program, it operates more similar to what I am used to with REVIT. I guess if I were in your situation I would download both fusion 360 and QCAD and play around with them and see which one you like better. If you do go with QCAD you will need to use Sheetcam or fusion for cam. Also as was pointed out by @rat196426 above sheetcam now has a CAD function as well.
If you are cutting allot of brackets for farm, I assume that means you will be cutting allot of 1/2” to 3/4” material. That being the case I would suggest a Everlast 82i. I think you would be stretching the capability of the Prime weld Cut 60 if you will be cutting allot of 3/4” material.
Keep in mind when you cut above 45 amps you will want to consider laying a sacrificial sheet in the bottom of the water pan so you don’t cut through it or warp it. The crossfire and pro water tables were designed around 45 amp cutter.
How is your air setup. I imagine with a farm shop you already have a big compressor… do you have any air-drying equipment as part of your air system?
I rarely cut above 1/2” but still nice to have that power. Is the 82i plug and play to Crossfire Pro table? I have lots of air. One huge compressor for the sandblast cabinet. That air goes outside to a cooling tank and back inside. Also have a copper u tube trap with drains. Looks like I am gonna try Sheetcam 8.0 as a starting point and see where it goes. Thanks
The 82i does come with a CNC plug, but if you are running with the THC you will want to use the raw voltage inside the machine. Lots of info on here as to how to hook it up. @Bigdaddy2166 has some pictures of his setup he has posted here if you go that route. I have a PW Cut 60 and an 82i I haven’t had a chance to use the 82i yet. I spent the holiday chasing roof leaks in the shop and ended up replacing all the translucent panels. Hoping to be able to get back to cutting soon. I also have to finish the fireplace in our new house… I was supposed to finish that over the holidays… 
Well thats a load. No envy on your roof repairs. We have a lot of Rain in Western Oregon.
I am also looking at the Razor Weld 45 with the cables to just make it work.
I have enough projects to last forever. Like taking care of 55 acres of Hazelnuts
Best of luck and thanks
@RileyRocket Fusion is free* with some caveats
https://www.autodesk.com/ca-en/products/fusion-360/personal
Special Terms and conditions for use: For personal, non-commercial projects only. Limited to individuals generating less than $1,000 USD annually and not for use in primary employment, company environments, or commercial training.
But there are many out there ignore and abuse these conditions.
From my experience Tinkercad has been the easiest to teach my guys how to use. I just do everything at .25 thickness and download it as a svg then use sheetcam to convert it to the gcode. You can set the thickness for the metal in sheetcam.
Hope this helps!
You don’t need to add thickness to anything at all. CNC plasma works in 2D anyway.
I’ve been using NanoCad for my 2D work. Quite similar to AutoCAD, but FREE. I save as DXF in NanoCAD then import into SheetCAM.
thanks. to many choices !!!
There are lots of choices if all you want is 2D drawings, the nice thing about going with Fusion 360 is if you ever decide to get a Mill and a Lathe you will already be familiar with Fusion 360 and you can start designing 3D parts. The free hobby version works well for both 2D and CAM. Just a thought.
I mean to set up the cut thickness for the ipm so the machine knows the speed of the cut.
Just to clarify.
Thanks. You guys are great to help me. I really appreciate the wisdom. I am just gonna dig in and do my best learning Fusion 360. If anyone could direct me to a series of tutorials it would be greatly appreciated.
What kind of things do you plan on making?
Fusion is very expansive and if we knew what direction you were heading it would be easier to recommend a few.
Here are some of my favorites.
Take a look @ Inkscape or any vinyl cutting software. I still use my old software, save as a .dxf, import to Sheetcam, boom! Done. I do utilize Fusion when I need to, but any basic 2D software will get you to a .dxf mode. Just my thoughts it not wanting to delve into Fusion.