[JesseK]

I agree. I spent 6 hours defining variables for measurements, finding equations, and coming up with our offseason scrimmage claw using 2 colored dry erase markers and about 30 square feet of whiteboard.

Later, after 3 hours in CAD not only did I have different (and more accurate) measurements, but I also had every nit-picky nut and bolt to make sure there was clearance for everything. The whole claw assembly time took only 2 hours.

Definitely get a student and mentor learning CAD. Most of the parts are already made for you so it's just a matter of putting them together...