Advice requested for these products and any suggestions; Links below

[mordy]

I do believe that Jazz has already answered this quite comprehensively, but really...

DON'T DO IT.

There are the straightforward ways of doing things, and there are ways that invite all sorts of ball-ache.

Wal.

I hear ya Wal. But there is a couple questions i'd like to explore, expanding on the previous answer, I am sure if Jazz has decided he "has answered quite comprehensively" he will not reply or tell me so.

No need to shout about it. I know it's frustrating with newbies, but I am sure you were one once etc.

[JAZZCNC]

Well first I will answer you even if I think I've answered enough because i realise living upside down on other side of world must make the blood run to your head so there must be brain damage which makes learning harder.. .

Now being serious. The ESS smooth stepper is ok and will work for you even with Macbook.
Running Mach3 in emulation isn't the problem it's the parallel port driver that's the problem. But the fact you will be using ESS (or any external motion controller) removes this problem because it uses it's own software that runs inside of mach3 and the hardware generates the pulses.

That said I still VERY STRONGLY advise you to get a stand alone PC just for the CNC machine.

[mordy]

Well first I will answer you even if I think I've answered enough because i realise living upside down on other side of world must make the blood run to your head so there must be brain damage which makes learning harder.. .
.

And here is me thinking its my Half British Half Spanish Background that has been hindering me all my life, now I see, it was all those negative G's from airforce flying exacerbated by the 'down under' affect that's done it.

I'll go to trash and treasure this weekend for a PC. (bring the voltmeter) even though I will eventually be using the ethernet rather than PP. (thats the plan, but it is just a plan)

Thanks guys for your help so far.

[Wal]

No need to shout about it. I know it's frustrating with newbies, but I am sure you were one once etc.

I still consider myself very much a noob - yes, I've built a small vertical mill which is servicing my needs very well indeed, but it was only built thanks to the help and advice of the good people on here.

At the best of times it's a delicate process getting things dialled in and 'just-so' - I'm thinking that the software set-up you're proposing will add an extra layer of quirky behaviour that could have you going round in circles... And your nice clean MacBook will be filthy within hours..!

Good luck with it, whichever way you decide to go!

Wal.

[mordy]

At the best of times it's a delicate process getting things dialled in and 'just-so' - I'm thinking that the software set-up you're proposing will add an extra layer of quirky behaviour that could have you going round in circles... And your nice clean MacBook will be filthy within hours..!

Good luck with it, whichever way you decide to go!

Wal.

Thanks Wal.

Poor MacBook it has a hard life in my shed, you reckon I should give it a break....

[Wal]

Poor MacBook it has a hard life in my shed, you reckon I should give it a break....

Exactly, pop a doily on it and use it as a tea tray. <...he types on his MacBook Air>

Wal.

[mordy]

Exactly, pop a doily on it and use it as a tea tray. <...he types on his MacBook Air>

Wal.

Mmmmm to carry out my Tea and Crumpets to the shed. (that would be my british influence)

Thanks Wal you made me laugh a bit.

[JAZZCNC]

Mmmmm to carry out my Tea and Crumpets to the shed. (that would be my british influence)

Excuse me we are British and it simply wouldn't be British to have Crumpet in the Shed.!! . . . We Do It round the Back of the Shed. .

[Neale]

Sounds like he's got a dirty Mac book in the shed already...