Hello from a newbie,

I am interested in CNC in particularily concerning a horizontal mill/lathe that I have started building. This is a very long term project, I have made a lathe type cross slide, The bed is going ing to be a Granite slab. (which, I have) The rest so far is in my head! I am interested in XYZ control, to enable screw cutting, taper turning, milling and gear and sprocket cutting. I know nothing about the computer side of this an have only a vague understanding of the mechanical needs. I am a competent welder, I have a small alluminium foundry, I am an industrial electrician and vehicle mechanic. So what i need are really basic starter information so that I can plan and develop this project properly. I have very little PC experience, as I ha several macs! I was wondering whether the simplest thing for me to do would be to try and get hold of an old portable PC an do my CNC learning from there.

Pointers, guides, web sites bearing in ming that I know very little about electronics, programing and DOS!

Hopefully, Matthew