Hi I’m a newby to all this I’ve built my own machine and looking to use either Mach3 or Mach4 what are your preferences

Hi,
for a new build I would recommend Mach4. All development on Mach3 ceased six years ago.

Note that Mach4 really requires an external motion controller like an Ethernet SmoothStepper or a UC300.
There is a parallel port called Darwin for Mach4 ($25 license fee applies) but it is limited in real time supports.

At the current time the Ethernet SmoothStepper has the best mix of realtime supports of all the Mach4
motion controllers with backlash comp, lathe threading, spindle PID, laser vectoring/rastering, realtime THC
and all the usual homing/limits/squaring/probing supports you'd expect of any motion controller.

Craig

Thanks Craig
I will look into Mach4 and a smoothstepper

Cheers
Kevin