How to convert a Parallel Port CNC Router to a USB Interface 

The version 2.0 board will work fine for 3 axes and the same firmware can be used.

Thanks maybe a little while before the next one I'm trying to get some builds finished. The videos take so much time to film and edit. But I have something planned. 😃

Many thanks, David yes there are a few ways to convert to USB and the Black Box does look like a very good option.

Hi Jeff a normal parallel to USB connector won't work. It's to do with timing and controlling individual pins. There are special adapters that work with Mach3 Have a look at this post on my website where I discuss several options. rckeith.co.uk/mach3-parallel-port/ Thanks for watching

Hi John. I did consider that but I already had the external drivers. I've kept the old driver board and if any of the drivers fail I may do that. On my website in the builders gallery there is guy how did that with his foam cutter. He said it was quite easy. Thanks for watching the video. Keith

@@rckeith yep it's what I did with my cnc machine. In addition Windows 10 64 bit doesn't support the mach3 parallel port drivers , so as all new pcs are 64bit and come with the 64bit version of Windows this is another strong reason to use USB interfaces. I know your looking at erc timsav needle foam cutter and for that I've moved onto Grbl ESP32 owhich has WiFi based intlerfaces and an in built Web browser capability. I ve also used this for my diode laser cutter. It works well.

Yon can use the Arduino directly but the MKS makes the wiring a bit easier.

@@rckeith thanks - I got a couple of arduino and pcduino - for wiring I thought I would just get arduino screw shield. New to all this but trying to bring to life High-Z S-1000 with a parallel controller which was sitting unused for 10 years! Thanks again.

Hi, I don't have any good answers for you as I know nothing about your machine. You would be better asking at www.cnczone.com/forums/ Some clever guys over there.

@@rckeith thanks. Just wrote month ago but nothing. Thanks

Yes I think it can using the D8 spindle connector. I don't have a VFD so you may be better to ask on the Openbuilds forum to be 100% certain.

@@rckeith Thanks I will! Lots to learn and I see I have found the right folks!

Why, when the MKS Gen L does the job perfectly for me and many others.

What software are you using for CNC.

@@rckeith mach3

​@@SimohamedC Have a look at my website where I discuss the options rckeith.co.uk/mach3-parallel-port/ the UC100 from CNC Drive is probably the best option for you. Hope that helps😀

These machines are for hobbyists like myself who enjoy building RC aeroplanes. They work absolutely fine for hobby use and are never intended for factory use.

@@rckeith yes i make too RC planes and normal my wingpan have one side wing make 1 meter, need big machine ,i mean factory quality only have safety and big can made all fuselage parts good, my cnc have 1200x1200x300 table size. thats have perfect size make good plane parts. cutting all parts one big sheet out and make long wings, i have cnc, foam cutter cnc, vinyl tape cutter cnc, aluminium cut/mill cnc all can do same machine, and can use my laser too,need change only spindle to laser head. foam cutter have different machine for me, all need nema 23 minimum not can move if have nema 17 no power,torque, too small motors use normal size good, all i has made DIY at home and many year make lot different project and has seen my skill have, need minimum 450 oz or biggest motor if use mill, and big machine, nema 17 not can move all axis small motor, and thats mean need be biggest drivers to motor current normal about 4-6A and if mill aluminium need good spindle minimum 800W air cool spindle lot more torque and strong than my makita router have, and lot lot silent what have important, if use router late night all neighbour 2-3 house far go angry not can sleep, makita router have too lot noise, but i change real 800W air spindle or mill have 1,5KW water cool spindle not noice any, and linuxcnc have lot better than mach3, flexiple can add many additional what want , thats my experience use cnc, i hope all peoples understand if need build good perfect machine make all good, im old retiree engineering and i want do all perfect not only little somethink half ready. if use TB6600 etc drivers not have good, totally worst driver users lot burn thats worst drivers, and if use only nema motors no have power carve or cutting or mill parts fast good, etc,etc, many problem if not build good.

I think you missed the point of this video, I have showed how I converted my hobbyist machine to use USB which is a common question I get from many guys. The way I have showd is a cost effective way that suits guys on a modest budgets. GRBL supports all the necessary g-codes for my use and I have never had an issue. I have use steppers motors as low as 0.9 Amps on my CNC foam cutter and built many RC models that have flow fantastic.

Never had a ptoblem with it and has made many project. NEMA17 are fine for foam cutting thers is very little load. I do very little CNC routing so my setup works fine for me.

@@rckeith i has experience only my cnc machines, i has build all my machines minimum size 1200x1200x400, and all metal frames, nema 17 not can move all axis good, my biggest plasma cnc have 2500x1600x500 and real not can use nema 17 motors, foam cutter have 1000x1200x600 and nema 17 not can move, i try first but need change all motors basic cnc size motors 470 OZ 4A nema 23 have minimum motors what can move this, i test many different motors i build my machines, big servo motors whit encoder have closed loop but super expensive, hobby user not have budget buy , and aluminium milling machine i need nema 34 motors all small have too weak no power move, move if not cutting but if cutting aluminium need lot more torque or spindle stop and nema motors not move and burn. aluminium need nema 34 6A motors minimum. and big motors need drivers too big handle lot more motor amperes. thats have only my experience build cnc machine, i has build small metal factory many customer old bridgeport etc manual mill machine retro fit before in work, need gear too because motors not cnc buy all machine big, not power/torque lot, but this is retro fix have different story, not mean this. i has build last 30 year time period about 300-400 cnc machine to small metal factory and hobby users.

Yes a good solution but for most hobbyist its a bit expensive and most would struggle with the installation. I speaks from experience from the question I get for even simpler solutions