Mach3 with Windows 10?

[Brian Lawrence]

Hi All,

Does anybody run Mach3 software on a windows 10 system?
What about Mach4....is anybody using it? Much difference?

I'm definitely a beginner at this but I'm more than willing to learn.....

Thanks Brian

 

[Jwest7788]

I didn't even think it was possible, what with needing a parallel port and all...?

 

[Alexander]

Anything could work but mach3 is designed for windows xp and needs a built in paralell port. I would not recomend it. I have 2 differnent machines running on mach3 old desktop PCs work great. But im no expert

 

[Brian Lawrence]

I email one of the china sellers on the wonderful EBAY site to see what they said and they came back with that it would work, as long as I used a specific breakout board. Hmmm.

 

[Jwest7788]

I email one of the china sellers on the wonderful EBAY site to see what they said and they came back with that it would work, as long as I used a specific breakout board. Hmmm.

Alot of those boards are pretty cheap anyways, may as well give it a try, I suppose.

JW

 

[kylemp]

I'd give a plus 1 to Alex. I've tried running 7 with Mach, too much of a hassle.. old pcs are easy to get and free most of the time. I am going to run Linux on the new plasma and the mill when we get there.. mach is finicky which makes it frustrating till you get it all set up. Then you forget all that and when you start again your fighting it the whole way it feels like. But for a first time project Mach probably is the easiest solution.

 

[jcdammeyer]

MACH3 really works best with a Smooth Stepper instead of a parallel port. I have run that for my JGRO CNC router for so many years that when I started the mill conversion and ran MACH3 with just parallel port I was amazed at how poor it ran. I'd forgotten. Not that I've not had problems with the occasional hiccup with the USB Smooth Stepper but overall it's much nicer and AFAIK will also work with WIN-10.