Just in the process of sorting out a mill which will be an OPTI BF20 VARIO from Optimum.

I'm planning to learn the software side of CNC for a few months then get the CNC upgrade for this mill, connect up and off I go. I wanted to check though that Mach3 will work with this CNC hardware.
This would be the controller supplied with the kit (VI)
http://www.optimum-machines.com/products/cnc-pc-controls-complete-and-adapter-kit/6/cnc-controller-iii-and-vi/index.html
and this is the complete kit itself.
http://www.optimum-machines.com/products/cnc-pc-controls-complete-and-adapter-kit/complete-and-add-on-kit-for-mi/index.html

Will Mach3 work with this ok? I'm assuming as it uses a parallel port it will but need a definite answer.

Thanks.

                         ................Rikk

Hi Rikk,

Having read the info on their website I think this controller is primarily intended for their own software and I think you would be struggling to try and get this to work with Mach.
Their machine conversion kits look excellent so why not use their conversion parts but fit Gecko's for the machine control. These work really well with Mach and have good backup service if required.

Just a thought.

Tweakie.

I did get a couple of emails back from them and they are pretty sure it will work with mach3 but I really didn't fancy spending £2500 to find it didn't, so the idea is to get the mill and get used to it over the next couple of months.
I'll also be buying meshcam/mach3/cutview and with alibre I already have again get used to it all over the next couple of months.
Then I'll get the mechanical side of things from Ellik as he does a kit, then the electronics side of it from Kelinginc, it's all much cheaper and I know it will work.

                         ............Rikk

Sounds like a wise decision. 

Tweakie.