I have seen several people take old iron metalworking mills and retrofit them with new controls and have great success with them. I am curious as to how well the same approach would work for old cnc routers. For example, I stumbled across an ad for a 1986 Thermwood C50 Cartesian 5 router. It is discribed as a parts machine, but what I am wondering is if the thing is in decent shape, could one retrofit it with newer servo's and a pc based controller or is it out of the question? I am interested in a big router and a project. Kind of like restoring an old car in my mind, but it would be a router.

Also, does anyone know if the old controller could be upgraded to work with Thermwoods Ecabinet systems software?

Are parts obtainable for items this old?

Price is good. I think I could send it to the scrap yard and get my money back (well not quite) but it is appealing.

Comments, suggestions, input, etc.?

Thanks Dan