Thank for your reply. I have looked at Denford forum but all the old software is just that, old. And I think that you are right, the new stuff is perhaps too rich ,especially as the machine would probably have to go back to factory for refit.
I have just spent a couple of days on youtube looking at all the wonderful machines that people are building and it seems to me that the vast majority are using Mach 3.
I have already bought (or pressured into buying!) Bobcad V3 and know that it talks to Mach 3 so maybe I should just bite the bullet and get a whole package including Steppers. This mill has a toolchanger (runs on comp air) Question is, which system? Phil.