Thanks Jazz i will try debounce first.
i vaugely remember reading this in the Mach 3 manual but now you explain it it makes more sense.
i kept all the power cables separate from the outset and used screened cable for the steppa motors.
I have had great fun learning to use my MDF special and was glad that it was easily repairable when it inevitably went pear shaped.
Iv had good results in 2 and 3d
The only major problem with it is that it is soooooooooo slow.
i have been reading through the forums for some suitable designs for a more robust (and much faster) machine
Any sugestions/recomendations would be greatfuly recieved.
currently my machine has a cutting area of approx 800X450 as i am mainly interested in sign making although brass and ally would be nice.
cheers
Dave

yep: debounce did the trick nicely thanks