recommendations for retrofitting a precix 9100

[giantmolecules]

hi folks,

i have a precix 9100 that has given me many problems over the years, and i am now looking to retrofit the machine with a new control and motors. i've done so much fiddling with the precix control (without great success) that i'm no longer interested in piecing together a system from parts. i've done a fair amount of looking at options for a complete retrofit package but i am still undecided. flashcut seems to be a pretty popular turnkey system with many 'it just works' comments. i was wondering if you could share with me your opinions about flashcut and other available options. do you love it? do you rather recommend a mach3-based system? your experience would be greatly appreciated in this matter!!!

[powerr]

flashcut just works every time for me. I just did a upgrade to the new version 4 software and 501A controller. It works great. The flashcut is a great turn key package not alot of jacking around. use you own motor's and drivers or get them at flashcut you cannot go wrong as long as you can afford it.

I am also a mach user, it works good too, has a few qwerks. most of the stuff you hear about mach being a pain is due to the person hooking it up and tuning it, the people who are trying to do every thing with it at the same time. I use it for a small three axis mill and the only issue I have had with it is a pulse engine problem. I put together a new computer for it now it is fine. It is very dependant on the computer hardware you run it on. It offers alot of features.

really I love them both.

Flashcut
Pros: it does exactly what the program tells it, works every time, so far never had a window update or other software update bother it. Very reliable
easy to set up, you can use a laptop

cons: price is high around 1200 for the controller and software, have to buy another expansion board around 550 if you want spindle speed control.

Mach 3
Pros: Price is great, unlimited amount of help online, can do anything you want it to do, many people support products for it, great for a hobbyist, lots of plugins avaliable, most likely a few others i am forgetting,

Cons: parallel port step control some times a little clunky, take a little more tinkering with to get it set up. if your computer get a software update it may affect the pulse engine.