New Build Questions

Ok So I have probably gone about this the wrong way but :0 I'm new to lasers.
.
I have bought a chinese 100W tube and Power Supply.

I want to use Mach 3 as I am use this software for my laser. Plan to do engraving and cutting (Model Aircraft Parts). Will mach3 be suitable for what I want to do?

How do you suggest getting the laser to fire with Mach3? Im sure for the parts it wont be an issue to just use the spindle but not sure about the engraving on/off speeds.

Is there a controller (BOB) I should be looking at which will run the g-code as it comes either way I decide to run it. I'm on a budget.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

Prboz

On what kind of machine you're going to place the tube?

Mach3 is bad when it comes to control laser. I can suggest you to use GRBL (on Arduino platform) as motion controller when dealing with lasers.
On machine that I use I have a router () and 2.5W laser module. Routing-cutting-engraving is controlled with Mach3, when it comes to laser, I just swap BOB with GRBL and use different software (LaserGRBL) or LightBurn.

LaserGRBL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7El-Vc4RBg

Mach3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PeqHJFd0uY

I'm actually making a machine from scratch.

As I wrote, no mather is it is machine built from scratch or you intend to modify the existing one, I would not recommend Mach3/4

Here's some info on controlling a laser with Mach3.
http://tweakie.byethost10.com/27_files/Page652.htm

Hi,
Mach3 was developed before laser operations were commonplace amongst hobbyists and given that all development of Mach3 ceased six years ago the prospect
of Mach3 being a good control solution for laser operations is poor.

Mach4 is a very much newer and developing software solution.It has some specialised instructions for laser operations and the Ethernet SmoothStepper has realtime
laser vectoring/rastering features. My understanding, from others, who have used the combination report good results.

Craig