My name is Donnie and I am very new here and my first post. I have a Sherline Lathe 4410 of which I need to install some type of CNC to in order for me to make some parts that I can repeat the same process. I have a forum myself that I own and operate and that is
www.shipsofscale.com/sosforums/ well, I am not here to advertise my Ship Building Forum. I am here because I am overwhelmed by the nature of too many things to choose from (parts, motors, drivers) to make a CNC work. First, I like what I see with the Mach3 and would like to purchase it. But, I have some questions that are obvious to some, but are not obvious to me.
I wish that I could get some help. Also, I might need to post this in the general section as I am not sure if I am posting in the correct place. All I have at the moment is a Sherline 4410 lathe and that is it for now. No CNC motors, nothing, not even a PC yet.
Now, I was thinking about downloading the Mach3, but I am going to have to get some hardware.
This is where I get really confused. So Sherline makes a Controller Box that has the cables and the two motors that I need. But, newer PC's do not have nor any of the newer PC's have the Printer Port. So, I would have to have a USB to 25 pin for the Sherline Driver box. So, is this set up wrong: Lathe -> Sherline Driver Box -> USB to Printer Port (for the sherline machine control) -> Mach3 program
or should I be doing something else.
I am totally new at this and lost.
Thanks
Donnie