HI ,

Thanks for your reply , yes that's correct the cable from the printer port went to a female 36pin connection then from the cnc those series of wires went into a male 36 pin connector. This is where all the wires were soldered too . Click image for larger version.  Name: pl993127-ddk_36_pin_solder_ribbon_male_ieee_1284_connector_md_type_parallel_port_connectors.jpg  Views: 200  Size: 57.7 KB  ID: 24805

Yes i am running the Mach3, if im honest i don't know what controller it running how would i find that out ?

Sorry for the lack of information , im clutching at straws here with a real lack of knowledge !! ive come from a sheet metal programming background so woodwork and routers are a new world to me

my experience so far is that it is a very expensive hobby !!

Thanks so much for you reply