Hi,
what control system does the machine have presently? I mean if its in good order the simple expedient is to use whats there already.
You can certainly replace the control system, and there are many choices. Mach3 is still very popular, although all development on it has ceased some years ago in
favor of Mach4, and so Mach4 would be recommended if you want to use Mach at all. There are other worthy choices that use Windows PC's, UCCNC , PlanetCNC
among others.
All of these Windows type require a dedicated motion controller, in most cases manufacturer specific. For instance UCCNC works only with a UC100, UC300 etc motion boards
from the same manufacturer. Mach on the other hand will work without a motion controller at all....if you want to stoop to using a parallel port, a questionable choice these days, or with anyone
of a dozen or more controllers by various manufacturers.
There are yet other choices, Centroid Acorn, is a good example. Its a CNC software solution plus a proprietary motion controller at a very fair price. It may be somewhat less flexible than
some of the others but is largely 'turn key', and that no fuss approach has won praise.
No discussion of hobby CNC control solutions would be complete without mentioning LinuxCNC. It clearly requires a Linux PC, which may or may not be a deal breaker for you.
LinuxCNC is however very capable, and with some programming extremely flexible. Most serious LinuxCNC users have one or more Mesa control boards. They are modestly
priced, say $250, for a very capable board. LinuxCNC itself is free and open source.
I have been using Mach4 ($200) plus an Ethernet SmoothStepper ($190) and my own home built breakout board for many years now.. Breakout boards can be very simple affairs from single port affairs of $20
up to a three port MB3 at $180.
Note that my motion controller (Ethernet SmoothStepper) is Ethernet connected and has less latency and much greater noise immunity than USB, and thus Ethernet is preferred and is well represented
in manufacturers offerings.
How about posting some pics of your machine?
Craig