Newbie needs CNC advice

**Clive S** · 06-02-2017

Originally Posted by Bucks

Even this 400w air cooled USB one seems to be higher spec than the standard parallel with 230w spindles http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182425912226

I suggested that you did some research and it does not look like you have. This one you linked to does not have ball screws so how can it be a higher spec? These machine will not make moulds are not reliable and will break down within weeks. They are telling you that you do not need a Mach3 license which is a lie.

Have you thought about the CAD & CAM side of things.

If you ask enough people you will get the answer you want but if you hell bent on throwing your money away then good luck.

Bucks · 06-02-2017

Originally Posted by Clive S

I suggested that you did some research and it does not look like you have. This one you linked to does not have ball screws so how can it be a higher spec? These machine will not make moulds are not reliable and will break down within weeks. They are telling you that you do not need a Mach3 license which is a lie.

Have you thought about the CAD & CAM side of things.

If you ask enough people you will get the answer you want but if you hell bent on throwing your money away then good luck.

What do you think all the questions are then if I'm not doing research??? (and by the way I'm not just asking questions, I've been researching non stop for the last 4-5days, i.e. YouTube, google, Amazon, Ebay & forums etc)
And yes I have thought of The CAD/CAM side of things & costs, but I know the answers so not asking the questions

Parallel port to USB, 230w-400w isn't this higher spec??? I didn't say that everything was higher spec,

My mum use to tell be if you haven't got anything good or positive to say, don't say anything!!!

Bucks · 06-02-2017

THANKS for all your feedback Steel it's much appreciated, it's people like you who make forums a pleasant experience :-)

**JAZZCNC** · 06-02-2017

Originally Posted by Bucks

What do you think all the questions are then if I'm not doing research??? (and by the way I'm not just asking questions, I've been researching non stop for the last 4-5days, i.e. YouTube, google, Amazon, Ebay & forums etc)
And yes I have thought of The CAD/CAM side of things & costs, but I know the answers so not asking the questions

Parallel port to USB, 230w-400w isn't this higher spec??? I didn't say that everything was higher spec,

My mum use to tell be if you haven't got anything good or positive to say, don't say anything!!!

Buck's you'll do well to listen to Clive he's trying to help you not feed you full of Shit like some on here are doing regards these Cheap chinese machines.
They will let you down and they will require maintenance in short period of time. All this talk of upgrading etc is rubbish because you can't make Silk purse out of sows Ear and that's what you buying with these machines.

Also Mach3 running from Laptop with parallel port is at best lottery, some work, most don't. It's also got nothing to do with the Frequency and everything thing to do with Voltage and power management. Also You CANNOT use Parallel port to USB converter and don't let anyone tell you different.
There are Special Devices like UC100 which are Motion control devices which go between the parallel port but there are not converters in the conventional sense.

The simple fact is these Chinese machines are OK for learning but they will break down and will require maintenance within short period of time.
If you buy one with the intension of using as learning tool and don't expect the world then will be fine. If your wanting to do high quality work in difficult materials then forget them they will disappoint you.

**Steel** · 06-02-2017

Hi Jazzcnc i have to disagree with you regarding running mach3 on a parallel port laptop and your remark about frequency, i have to ask where did you get your information from as i have successfully run a old ibm T42 that wont run the correct freq for mach3 as standard the only change i made was with a bit of software that changes the freq to the correct freq for mach3, nothing to do with port voltage or power management at all on this laptop oh except for turning of the screen saver timeout.

**JAZZCNC** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by Steel

Hi Jazzcnc i have to disagree with you regarding running mach3 on a parallel port laptop and your remark about frequency, i have to ask where did you get your information from as i have successfully run a old ibm T42 that wont run the correct freq for mach3 as standard the only change i made was with a bit of software that changes the freq to the correct freq for mach3, nothing to do with port voltage or power management at all on this laptop oh except for turning of the screen saver timeout.

I got my information from years of using Mach3 and dealing with people who have tried to use laptops. If you read again I didn't say cannot use Laptop I said it's lottery.!!
You where lucky and have "ONE" that works but there are many that don't and it's got nothing to do with frequency on most. Often it's because of the way laptops are designed hardware wise regards power mangement and the Voltage they provide at the port. It's known Fact and actually stated by Artsoft that Mach3 isn't Compatible or supported when using Laptops because of in consistances between them.

Only safe way to use Laptop and KNOW it will work reliably is via an external motion controller.! . . . .Parallel port becomes lottery with Laptops.

Jacks, Clive like many on here doesn't have time to waste on people who don't listen which happens often on Forums. He wasn't to me jumping down your throat he was trying to get you to listen and some times this needs Shock tactics.! . . . Don't take offense just need Tuffen up little because you'll get more along the way it's just how forums are.! . . Clives a Good Egg who knows is stuff.

Regards Materials it's not always about the Actual Hardness that makes them tuff materials to cut it's the feeds and speeds required to cut correctly. It's here were these machines often fail badly. Just because they can cut the stuff doesn't mean they are cutting it correctly. To be honest I often see adverts for these machines and it makes me laugh when they state the materials they cut. . . Why.? . . Because they can't possibly reach the feeds required To cut most of those materials correctly and the harder ones they are just not strong enough to cut.!! . . End result is poor finish quality, low accuracy and high tool wear not to mention taking for ever to cut.!

But like I say great entry level learning tools.!! . . . . . . Most that sing there praises have probably never used proper CNC Router so know no different.! . . . .Those that have will tell you it's night and day difference.!

Bucks · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Only safe way to use Laptop and KNOW it will work reliably is via an external motion controller.! . . . .Parallel port becomes lottery with Laptops.

Is this the same as with a USB control box? our only option is a laptop as we don't have room for a PC due to our iMac! If we would need a external motion controller do you know what sort of price these would be?

**JAZZCNC** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by Bucks

Is this the same as with a USB control box? our only option is a laptop as we don't have room for a PC due to our iMac! If we would need a external motion controller do you know what sort of price these would be?

Any device using USB with Mach3 would be considered External Motion controller. 99% of External Motion controllers USB or Ethernet will require and come with Plug-in software for mach3. This replaces the parallel port driver and tells mach3 how to talk to the new device. There are few chinese offerings which say don't require Plug-in but these are best avoided.
The only USB devise I'd recommend for Mach3 comes from these people and is about the cheapist way to convert from PP to USB. It's called UC100. They also have other higher spec USB Motion controllers but if spending that money then I'd recommending not using USB and go with Ethernet as it's much better and more stable. USB isn't great for CNC and not all so-called USB devices are the same.!
http://cncdrive.com/UC100.html

**paulus.v** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by Steel

Hi Jazzcnc i have to disagree with you regarding running mach3 on a parallel port laptop and your remark about frequency, i have to ask where did you get your information from as i have successfully run a old ibm T42 that wont run the correct freq for mach3 as standard the only change i made was with a bit of software that changes the freq to the correct freq for mach3, nothing to do with port voltage or power management at all on this laptop oh except for turning of the screen saver timeout.

Steel, are you still controlling a CNC with the IBM laptop via the parallel port?

**Steel** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by paulus.v

Steel, are you still controlling a CNC with the IBM laptop via the parallel port?

Hi Paulus yes i am, im running rightmark cpu clock utility without that the pulse frequency wont stay stable on 25000 instead it will jump around 2300 to 23900
Its everything to do with the cpu not the output voltage from the parallel port

link is here http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/deta...k_utility.html

if you have a laptop with parallel port that wont run mach 3 at 25000 then run this piece of software and under management setting check box "Run HLT command when os is idle"
it works for me and i would be interested if it works on other laptops