DeskCNC about a lot of stuff!

[InspirationTool]

I'm sorry you've bought three boards.... If I were you, I'd put them up on eBay and buy something that supports Mach 3.

Yes, it will likely cost you at least $200, but Mach 3 is THAT much better than DeskCNC.

-Jeff

[kolokithas]

Hi Inspiration tool,

Is it true that by converting the PC into a controller is not good?Because you use the parallel port to send the step/dir and I/O signals out and overloading the PC?
Look,we use DeskCNC for now and in parallel we test and examine the mach 3
Im thinking that Mach3 might be better than DeskCNC but every new program has a long road of teaching and learning...(and for now,i know DeskCNC better than mach)Little by little we going to decide wich program suits our needs.By the way,Mach3 has nice screen layout!

PS:Hobby CAD, relax...I know that lack of support sucks,but Fred might be in a lot of business and not having time.Try little by little learn the MACH3,you never know what you might find...(As for me,Im always open to new programs,methods,etc,but i need my time)

Waiting for inspiration's answer...

See ya...

[InspirationTool]

Yes, you can create step signals more reliably and faster with a dedicated step generation board option like DeskCNC.

That said, I have had great results with a good Pentium III machine and the parallel port.

And more importantly, there are several dedicated step generation board options coming out for Mach 3 like NCpod and the GREX, and maybe even a DeskCNC adapter as well.

I've had no problem with DeskCNC hardware. It works great.

I just hate the software with a fiery passion. I set up faster, cut faster, make less mistakes, recover from mistakes faster, and can do more with Mach 3.

And the (forum based) support is alot better. The userbase is probably 10 times that of DeskCNC. More users generally means more support.

I haven't had to get support directly from Artsoft yet. My questions have been resolved within 24 hours on the forums.

-Jeff

[smparkinson]

Thanks for all the first hand info guys. I'm gonna be a Mach3 guy and learn by taking baby steps and asking you guys questions and reading and cutting streight lines and circles and taking notes and experimenting and stuff. This forum and it's members rock!

[scristelli]

i have to agree with you. i bought into imservice and feel i got nothing for the $4200, i spent. i like victor cad/cam, but the controller and instructions suck, (see my post titled 'in the dark'). support is not good. i need answers. i gave up a long time ago trying to learn the software; i have a business to run and not alot of time to "look up", answers. i spent 35 years in computer system programing. when a customer asks a question, they expect an answer, not some lame comments about going to their support web site. oh well i know better now.
scristelli