Q3:- Will Mach4 have 'Machturn' option as does Mach3 or will I have to stay with Mach3 for Lathe operations. ?
- Mach4 Turn is Fanuc style gcode and supposedly follows Smid Books on CNC.
- Have a look at the lathe code for Mach 4 as it is different and has other additional codes , etc offered as compared to Mach3.
- Art Soft site provides a comparison of different versions.
- Some lathe features require a different version of MAch4.
- Mach4 uses a different programing language and any Macros, screen sets,
from Mach3 don't transfer over to Mach4.
I have not followed Mach 4 for a some time now. So not a very good resource for the current status of Mach 4 Lathe nor supporting hardware.
Update to Mach 4 or use MAch3 is a decision only you can make.
Mach 3 lathe can certainly do a lot as is and you may want use it to
get familar with using the cnc lathe especialy if it currently works.
Mach3 lathe screen leaves something to be desired ( my personal opinion ) there are a few options for using other screen sets. Personally my custom screen set is used and works as i want it to and provides many nice features.
just some comments on the question,
RICH