Reuelt, MN300, thanks for all the time and effort that you have put into my questions. Still working on the project. And yes I do have the 4th axis that I can work with. I still need to hook up the limit switches, have some cannon connectors on order for the backside of the VFD box. Going with four connectors in case I renew the BOB. Do I need to use shielded cable for wire run? Connecting the switches in parallel as needed by the BOB, would disable the functions in MACH3 diagnostics readout. Just the same, as long as keeps me from jamming the table.
xlr8sion -- may change to (snail), for my CNC experience
If you have the 4th axis, there is another way to use the laser even without changing your BOB. You can have a micro-switch with bended long lever mounted on the spindle mount so that when the z-axis is lowered and the micro-switch is switched-on by touching the material, then the laser in turned ON.
You can get an external PWM power supply to control the light in volume.
Some have done it that way and uploaded videos on YOUTUBE
It is better to use shielded cable for the limit switches but even non-shielded wire is OK - IF you use "normally closed" limit switch system. Because the two limit switches connected in series for each axis and are normally closed (current is already flowing), it is less affected by EMI noise.
Even with limit switches installed, you should set up soft limits to trigger about 0.1" BEFORE the far end limit switches go open.
Take a clear picture of your BOB (as I requested before) and I can help you with limit switches step by step.