Isel 4433 - Can I use Mach3 with it?

**loudew** · 04-04-2019

Hi I am new to the world of CNC machines and wanted some help with this. I am about to purchase an Isel 4433 CNC router (for £250 - crazy!). I want to run this machine with fusion 360 and mach3 or mach4. Please can someone suggest a way for me to do this? I really don't want to use galaad!
Cheers
L

**john swift** · 05-04-2019

with no reply from Isel 4433 users
its possible its a re badged Chinese machine
and photos of both the interior and exterior of the control box will help identify what you have

John

**loudew** · 05-04-2019

Originally Posted by john swift

with no reply from Isel 4433 users
its possible its a re badged Chinese machine
and photos of both the interior and exterior of the control box will help identify what you have

John

Sorry John. Don't quite understand. What are you suggesting? I am going to buy this machine - if it means I can't use mach4, sobeit. However, galaad looks fairly old-fashioned.
Thanks for the reply, John.
L

**john swift** · 05-04-2019

I had miss read your post

I thought you had bought the machine - my mistake

may be you could try to get photos from the seller you can post

John

**loudew** · 05-04-2019

I have attached photos of the machine. I think it is a genuine ISEL machine - I am buying it from a school who have are the 2nd owners.

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Thanks John,
L

**Doddy** · 06-04-2019

It may require you (or be easier for you) to take strip out the electronics back to the axis drive motors, and re-introduce stepper drivers (assuming stepper motors), BoB and maybe PSU. It's not difficult and for the tiny price that you're paying for the machine you'll get a capable machine for very little outlay.

Re-using the existing electronics? - get some control-box images as previously suggested.

**Doddy** · 11-04-2019

Mach3 under windows and with a parallel port BOB is doing all the signal generation, much like linuxcnc, but without the determinism.

Not good, but good enough, in most cases.

**loudew** · 05-04-2020

I know this thread isn't really in use anymore, but I ended up obtaining KAY for half price, and have been using it for around 10 months now. For anyone else who might be in a similar situation (not many at all), just swallow the price and buy it. It has been an amazing machine considering it only cost me £350. Thanks for all of the help.

**JAZZCNC** · 06-04-2020

Originally Posted by loudew

I know this thread isn't really in use anymore, but I ended up obtaining KAY for half price, and have been using it for around 10 months now. For anyone else who might be in a similar situation (not many at all), just swallow the price and buy it. It has been an amazing machine considering it only cost me £350. Thanks for all of the help.

You are missing one thing here.? At the start, it would have been a wiser thing to convert the machine to Mach3 or Linux CNC and then sell it.
Isel machines are a well known and trusted brand that uses quality components so it is still worth good money today, esp if converted from the original software/Pc. It could easily sell for £1000 + even with scratches provided it's mechanically and electrically sound.

As you have it today I doubt very few would buy it for that kind of money because of the software, I have never heard of KAY and I doubt few others have either and this would put many off. While even tho it's getting dated just the name Mach3 in the description of a machine being sold will generate interest alone. Similar to Linux CNC but not quite as it's still not so well known by new users. Linux CNC is very much like Marmite.!

So my advice today is to get it converted with the money you have made/saved while it's been running and then either use it until something better comes along then sell it straight away. Or just sell it after it's converted and spend the money on your self, stuff the Lady's. Modern Girls want to be independent anyway, so let them ..Lol

**loudew** · 07-04-2020

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

You are missing one thing here.? At the start, it would have been a wiser thing to convert the machine to Mach3 or Linux CNC and then sell it.
Isel machines are a well known and trusted brand that uses quality components so it is still worth good money today, esp if converted from the original software/Pc. It could easily sell for £1000 + even with scratches provided it's mechanically and electrically sound.

As you have it today I doubt very few would buy it for that kind of money because of the software, I have never heard of KAY and I doubt few others have either and this would put many off. While even tho it's getting dated just the name Mach3 in the description of a machine being sold will generate interest alone. Similar to Linux CNC but not quite as it's still not so well known by new users. Linux CNC is very much like Marmite.!

So my advice today is to get it converted with the money you have made/saved while it's been running and then either use it until something better comes along then sell it straight away. Or just sell it after it's converted and spend the money on your self, stuff the Lady's. Modern Girls want to be independent anyway, so let them ..Lol

I am now considering selling it (after this pandemic has died down), but would still want a CNC to use - I am considering building one, maybe building the frame out of T-Slot aluminium extrusion. My two options are: build one, or dish out a little bit more money for a kit (any recommendations for building tips/good value kits would be very much welcome).

I am going to investigate the electronics of the isel machine (as I didn't when I initially said last May!), and see if it will be a case of just replacing the controller (and maybe changing motors and stepper drivers), just to get an idea of whether it is worth it to convert and sell my isel machine, then build/buy another one!

Thanks for all the tips guys!