Hi, I Have just bought a Boxford 160 cnc lathe , no atc so its a simple 2-axis machine. It has a built in pc motherboard and uses boxford v4.3 software to control the machine, all works fine in manual and in program, however I would like to use mach3 as this is what I am used to when using my cnc milling machine combined with cad, I have noticed that the machine is connected to the pc motherboard via serial link, therefore would it work if I plug the machine into my other computer via serial link and set up mach3 to suit? I am a newbe in this field, I have very good engineering knowledge and limited electronics skills. I have read other discussions converting bbc run boxfords to mach3 where opto isolators were added to protect the pc but if mine is already running off a pc what difference will it make if I just connect it to a different pc?? Please help, the old software is sooooo long winded!

Marc