Quote Originally Posted by Steel View Post
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.!