In your experience, what software do you recommend for a home CNC machine? maybe thats a good starting point for reference?
Hmmm, I assume you mean to interpret the “g” code for the the CNC and drive the steppers. Mach3 is the most widely used commercial software for driving a hobby class CNC. Its pretty good actually and widely supported.
Any that are open source?
Yea, there’s a fairly active Linux group here: http://linuxcnc.org
Its been a few years since I tried this code base on some Geco drivers. It worked pretty well then but was not as mature as Mach3. Mach is pretty cheap, so I tend to just go that way. For open source folks, the Linux CNC project is a good starting point.
BTW, have a look here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/items/?_nkw=mach3+cnc+software&_sacat=&_ex_kw=&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sop=12&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_sadis=&LH_CAds=&rmvSB=true
Thank you very much for your input.
I made some of the aluminum plates for my farmbot with a home built CNC.
I used fusion 360 to take the designs files and make the g codes. I then used https://github.com/winder/Universal-G-Code-Sender to running on an PI to send the G codes to the https://github.com/gnea/grbl/ software running on Arduino which actually controlled the stepper motors. It all worked very well.
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My tool chain:
SolidWorks for CAD
DelCAM for SolidWorks for CAM (to get the g-code)
Then I run the g-code on my Haas VF2 to make parts 
I kind of like the UI of 360, but for me its a bit of a mess with the “art/design” functions mixed with CAD. For cloud based, I love OnShape except when the models/assemblies get to large. Oh, and I literally dream of the day when/if SolidWorks would port to OS/X.
So many tools, so many projects and not enough time in the day to do them all …