[samthieme]

Hey guys, I'm relatively new to all things CNC, i know just enough to be dangerous i guess. I have used MACH3 in the past on a similar CNC mini lathe and have a general understanding of how to operate its basic functions, but it was set up and calibrated by someone else previous to my experience with it. I recently decided to convert my manual mini lathe over and i am encountering a lot of questions that i cant answer for myself as i finish building my machine. To give you some background, i did some research and picked up mach4 and installed onto my laptop (which also runs my fusion 360 cadcam), usb smoothstepper to parallel port, geckodrive g540, and a couple nema 425oz/in steppers. I have no idea how where to start once i power everything up. ive read lots of horror stories about setting up mach3/ mach4 and im looking for advice. I've also read that i may need an add on for mach4 to run the usb smoothstepper.

ANY input is appreciated!
thanks in advance!

[ger21]

The USB Smoothstepper will not work with Mach4, as there is no plugin available for Mach4.

My advice would be to read the manual, and watch YouTube videos. Mach4 is far more complex than Mach3.

[samthieme]

Thanks for the reply, gerry.
I wasn't aware that the USB didn't work with mach4, so it looks like ill have to buy the ethernet version.

[ger21]

The websote says they may have a USB SMoothstepper plugin this summer or fall.
https://warp9td.com/index.php/sw#PluginUssMachFour

[samthieme]

I guess ill keep my fingers crossed!