Hey Guys:
I have the chance to pick up a CNC lathe at a very reasonable cost and have been researching software.  I have a home made duplicator and I make all of my patterns on AutoCAD.  I am aware that many CAM programs can import information on shapes via DXF files and convert it to GCode which is the machine language.  I also know that AutoCAD can output to DXF files which covers part of the process.  Unfortunately, this machine I am looking at comes with no software and I am wondering if one of the cheap CAM programs I am looking at on line will fit the bill.  I know this is a specialized question.....just hoping someone here may have some experience with CNC.  Thanks in advance for any input.

Cheap and cnc don't mix. There's alot of different packages available for any number of hobbyist machines. Can't comment on any as no experience. I use Vectrics for alot of what I do. Beyond that it is all custom.

I am getting the lathe used.  It has been sitting in a warehouse for about a year, I know it worked before it was stored away though.  Trouble is the computer that was used to run it was not included, thus, no software.  Just looking to do some 2 axis machining, nothing fancy.  I have seen some reasonably priced software on the net, just want to make sure I can get this thing running before I pull the trigger.  Don't want to end up with a big paperweight in my shop.

My first stop would be with the manufacturer of the CNC.

The few CNC machines I have run had the screens built into them.  The programs were written by the operator in G Code as he stepped through the part.  One was a Haas milling center and I guess I don't recall the lathe...and since I ran literally tons of aluminum through it making pistons for hydraulic cylinders, I should remember...or maybe that's why I forgot...