Oh Dear sorry to hear that. Sounds like maybe shorted something in the re-wire.?

Regards Replacement controller then I don't know of any Retro kits has such. You can buy Controllers with Conversational options but they tend to be quite expensive for industrial strength controller. For instance ProtoTrak SLX is nice looking Lathe controller with some neat features but they won't be cheap or simple to retrofit. Most probably not be worth the costs given age of machine.?

Other options are Retrofitting with PC based controller like Mach3 and CSlabs Motion controller. This combination is often used on older machines, Lathes and Mills, for retrofitting has it's high quality controller with good support.
There are other PC based Controllers like Kflop and Galil etc which are also used for retrofits.

None of these have built in Conversational programing but some like Mach3 have Wizzards which are pretty much the same and give the same result.
These types of motion controllers will be far cheaper to retrofit than buying Bespoke controllers like protoTrak etc.
Obviously taking this route does mean a certain level of knowledge and experience is required. That doesn't mean it can't be done by inexperienced but it will be a steep learning curve and handful if never done before.!!