CNC Lathe Retrofit: Mach3 to Masso G3 Touch

I purchased an Intelitek Prolight Turning Center with the intent to retrofit a Mach3 Controller. I finished the initial retrofit and discovered that the particular Mach3 controller I purchased didn’t support an encoder. After researching viable controller options, I learned that they were all going to require a PC with an ethernet port, which I didn’t have. So I instead went with the all-in-one Masso G3 Touch controller.
Links to components used:
Mach3 CNC Controller (I wouldn’t recommend this controller. In both instances that I’ve used it, it appears to be poorly designed and have a safety concern where it powers the spindle on if the USB cable is not plugged into 5V.): amzn.to/3tYv8Vf
Masso G3 Touch Controller: www.masso.com.au/product/mass...
3 x Stepper Motor Drivers: amzn.to/3hNcyfL
DB-9 Pin Connector Breakout Board: amzn.to/3tD8JfM
3-Prong Power Cord: amzn.to/3ElFK4X
Meanwell 48v Power Supply: amzn.to/3Gs1v6a
Spade wire connectors: amzn.to/3yshYlb
22 AWG 4 Conductor Stranded Shielded Wire: amzn.to/3yMiITu
1/2” Shank Collet Chuck: amzn.to/3Au7Rhl
Internal External threading tools: amzn.to/3V6jbrP
Masso Forum post by Brent with DB-9 connections: forums.masso.com.au/threads/l...
My website: www.id3ntitycrisis.com
My design portfolio: www.id3ntitycrisis.com/portfo...

[@rinseradstaak6866]

I am using the masso g3 controller for my cnc plasma table for one Year now. So far had no problems. Awsome customer support from masso, and super easy to use.

[@toddp9541]

Wow, nice. I have an all original prolight 3000 and a spectralight mill. Your a real trailblazer with your upgrades. Hope you do more content in the future👍

[@smellslikeupdog80]

no idea how I found your channel but I'm not dissapointed at all. This is an awesome project.

[@blackdeathghostye6654]

Awesome video it’s criminal how little attention you get

[@user-ck8sr9wy5s]

That was a little easy for you! Now add a sub spindle and live tooling to the lathe! Great video.

[@juansalgado6212]

I cannot stress this enough, you’re retrofits are spectacular! There’s really an elegance when a job is don’t so neatly and professionally. I can’t do much more than congratulate you on your craftsmanship. Can’t wait to see what you makes with these guys. Ill also be very interested in those pullstuds 😊 keep up the amazing work!

[@diyfiberlaser]

Thanks for the kind works...The pull stud video is posted!

[@threegreendown414]

I am very impressed with your technical skills! I wish I had half the knowledge and talent you do. I have a Onefinity Elite CNC with the Masso controller and love it. I also have a Onefinity Woodworker with the Buildbotics controller but the Masso is so much better. I have had problems with the Wifi on my Masso too so seeing what you did inspired me to try and get a new Wifi module. I hate having to use the USB to transfer files. Again, thanks for the great video.

[@andrewbednar7251]

Great job, you're lucky you snagged a mill that had the tool changer. I have an older version that requires manual changes of an R8. I've upgraded it to the Tormach TTS holders but I'm still working on a quick change lever system. Maybe one day I can go full auto. Acorn CNC from Centroid was what I used in my retrofit. I've had great success with it.

[@frijoli9579]

Interesting. I like the looks of the Masso interface. I built 2 Centroid Acorn CNC's for 1500 each including all the stepper drives, motors, and remanufactured PC's and touch screen monitors.

[@DR-br5gb]

Great job with the build. I too bought a Masso touch back in the spring for my Emco F1 retrofit. Hoping to finish it soon. Just started a new job and almost have my workshop setup so shouldn't be too much longer. I have an emco lathe as well well with toolchange and might take a similar route in converting it to touch also. Coming from mach3 with all of its bugs, Masso just seems like a dream come true

[@diyfiberlaser]

Thanks, I'm really liking it so far on the lathe. I'm also working on putting it on my mill now...should have a video on that in the near future. Good luck with your retrofits!

[@BorisIoffe]

I though the original pic looked familiar. I remember that machine was for sale for quite some time. You've done a phenomenal job. Mine 3000 was born in 1997. It is not nearly as nice looking as yours but it works (btw I have original shield holding pieces). I couldn't stand windows 98 machine with ISA card that came with it and ditched it immediately. I use PCI card that came with my ProLight 1000(?), mine looks very different. It's a major pain in the ass to alternate between the two. But now you showed me the way. I am so impressed and inspired I might put an order for mine today.

[@diyfiberlaser]

Awesome, good luck with your retrofit!

[@mrniceguy351]

I run a masso with my home built plasma with clearpath servos. It was surprisingly easy to setup and get running. The clearpath servos remove the need for a separate driver too.

[@StachiBCNR33]

Loved the Video, good Workmanship all over the Project. I would've gone with the Centroid Control though.

[@diyfiberlaser]

It looks like a very capable controller as well

[@gtcollection6933]

Has got to be one of the coolest 2AX I've seen. You're lucky and amazing work you've done. ps. Always plug your tailstock taper to prevent dust & chips to settle rent free. Dust particularly.

[@taxicamel]

If you considered the machine ....which is an elaborate toy .....plugging the tailstock is truly not necessary. I very much doubt the tailstock will ever be used. No machinist ever plugs a tailstock. It is simply "cleaned" before it is used. .

[@gtcollection6933]

@@taxicamel Must have been traumatized by my 4.5 years of M.Engineering study then. Unused bores and tapers were always lubed and plugged where we came from. Taught differently in the YT University that I'm aware too.

[@adamfreeman218]

great video!

[@raynfallz]

I am transitioning to a Masso G3 with Gecko 203Vs on a workbee. I am liking it so far. I love the no pc aspects and sending files directly.

[@diyfiberlaser]

I am excited to get it on my mill as well!

[@rexmundi8154]

I just received my G3 touch and I’m super excited to add it to my cnc router. Great video. Keep ‘em coming

[@diyfiberlaser]

Cool! I’m almost done getting it set up on my mill also, I will post a video about it soon

[@rexmundi8154]

@@diyfiberlaser I’d appreciate a little more detail on the wiring and setup, but I’ll take what you got. I’m an old school machinist just dipping my toes in controls.

[@diyfiberlaser]

@@rexmundi8154 I'd recommend the CNCnutz Masso Edition KZbin channel, he's got an extensive collection on the wiring and setup of the Masso controller: www.youtube.com/@cncnutzmassoedition9131/featured

[@Mikesukes]

I built a mill from scratch using the masso g3 I am using the dm-860 drivers on big nema23 running 65v out of a big toroid transformer. It is 26" x 18" y 10" z with A 2.2 kw water cooled spindle, higher voltage makes the steppers run way better, and the 860 drivers made the motors very quiet.

[@Ma_X64]

You can use a cheap welding inverter as a power supply turning its current regulator to minimum. It's more compact than a transformer and has damn lot of power.

[@AERuffy]

Love how you went from a

[@diyfiberlaser]

media.giphy.com/media/XWwIzh5GIWWf6/giphy.gif

[@sunny53078]

wow so much work to have the computer do all the work for you lol.. goodjob

[@Basement_CNC]

i just came across, your vids today and have tosay they are really good💪 i also saw some stuff like the quidi i-fast quite a lot of cncs and 3d printers and some other stuff, could you pls do like a shop-tour of all the cool stuff you got 🙏

[@diyfiberlaser]

I'm currently making videos on building a diy 1000w fiber laser cutter, after that my video plans are: Masso G3 on the mill, maybe building a diy fiber laser engraver as well, some injection molding content....I think eventually most of my machines will get showcased, except I'm probably not going to do one for the I-fast. I purchased it hoping to get a next-level more "professional" machine, but It has it's own problems and I don't think it is worth the price tag....my much cheaper CR-10s perform just as well.

[@vor6126]

Does that stepper motor have an encoder at 7:32, did it come stock with the machine or did you purchase it? which axis does it belong to? and the stepper motor with what looks to be an encoder at 7:43

[@illustratedlefty213]

I’m getting ready to implement a masso g3 touch on a tube plasma we bought at work. And it came with a jank android app software and ran by arduino and to say it doesn’t work well is an understatement

[@pitot1988]

Very nice shop layout, is there a video that you gave a quick shop tour or something?

[@diyfiberlaser]

There is a lot of change happening in my shop right now...maybe after wrap up a couple projects and I get things settled I could do a quick tour

[@brennanblendz]

Hi just wondering would you recommend buying the masso g3 controller on its own. Or going for it with the masso g3 touch. Thank you

[@cpaul1093]

How much did you pay for the 2 machines off ebay? Thanks! Great videos thanks for sharing much appreciated 👍

[@derbypyro1873]

I’d Bet the lack of battery has to do with shipping issues or importing/exporting laws lol

[@diyfiberlaser]

That's a good guess...it very well could be

[@T0tenkampf]

Masso ships from australia so this is absolutely the reason

[@diyfiberlaser]

@@T0tenkampf You guys are right! When unboxing my 2nd Masso, I noticed there is a sticker saying the battery was removed for aviation safety...I must have missed it the first time.

[@BradleyMakesThings]

Came here to say just this. Have had to deal with learning the IATA rules for shipping batteries - not fun stuff.

[@Leader_shift310]

The battery problem. Most likely due to the airline cannot transport battery, from an industry hardware designer. To solve this problem, we sometimes replace this battery with super capacitor. The battery is usually used for storing the time.

[@pierke110]

Is your lathe's tool changer working properly with the controller?

[@diyfiberlaser]

yes, it works great!

[@JayVon_Ro]

What lazer do you own?

[@alexon2010]

Congratulations, a lot of video banking, I am manufacturing a CNC Router, in the hole I am thinking of making a lathe, the Masso electronics is very cool, it is a pity that the price for Brazil is as if I were paying the equivalent of 6x the dollar... stay very expensive... I think masso electronics are very refined, very show... Where could I find information to assemble a lathe like this it's really cool

[@grandmastersreaction1267]

Please show us everything about your next Masso project. Including wiring!

[@diyfiberlaser]

I'm working on it now...but wiring is SO boring to watch! 😄

[@grandmastersreaction1267]

@@diyfiberlaser not for me! Haha

[@cbtools8902]

I have the exact same machine with prehistoric computer and driver box. I need to retrofit this machine because it makes beautiful parts. We are a machine shop in Southern California and I would like to know if you would be interested in retrofitting my machine with the Maso controller just like you did.

[@markmanning2921]

does it cut steel?

[@tyj1234able]

Would this controller be capable of retrofitting a larger industrial grade machine?

[@diyfiberlaser]

I don’t know. Their customer support has been great, so you should just email them to see if it works with your machine.

[@GrievousAngelProduct]

Was that a plasma touch head on a cnc router cutting the metal plate? Expensive? That appears much better than milling.

[@diyfiberlaser]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2nVdmWIlsaEldE

[@steam_fan]

hi, is the turret operated via a macro?

[@diyfiberlaser]

There is build in tool changer logic: docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/tool-changers/lathe-tool-changers

[@alexon2010]

Hello, I'm from Brazil, where can I find a lathe like this to adapt? I'm making my own router but I also want to have a lathe to adjust small parts... and also have fun with it

[@diyfiberlaser]

My machine is a Prolight 3000 Turning Center. I see them for sale occasionally on eBay & Facebook Marketplace

[@taxicamel]

If you are still looking/interested, I have just listed two used Boxford Turning Centers on EBAY (February 2024). I am in Vancouver, Canada. Machines are easily crated and shipped. These machines are very rare. I was lucky to obtain them when I did. I used only one of them for nothing more than a few years....and only ran it a night time and weekends when I had time. It was a very small personal project that ended years ago. I have room for these machines so never had the need to get rid of them .....and finally deciding to go. .

[@OfficialyMax]

I am very very jealous.

[@Ma_X64]

What about a sound aesthetics? I was watching your video at night and as your voice is super low in volume I turned computer volume quite up. And then all that noise from the lathe so loud that all alive in my house jumped up and asked in fear what happened.

[@neffk]

Are you losing steps in Z? Like if you're threading multiple identical parts

[@diyfiberlaser]

I haven't noticed that yet, but I usually re-zero the Z between parts

[@taxicamel]

Your question is a very valid question that I don't believe the author of the video understands the importance. He most certainly did not mention the stepper motor size or anything about the positioning screw type. It is probably safe to suggest they are ball screws ....tiny ones. But there has not been any use of "measuring tools", so I doubt he knows about precision or accuracy. Have a look at his "pull stud" video and you will see the actually "machining" is done extremely poorly. It's as if he's thrown a cad file into a cam system and everything is supposed to work. Tools are plunging into the material at "rapid" speed ....then "feeding". So "how" the steppers can possibly keep "steps" is beyond me. This is a very light machine. It appears to be able to machine steel, but the surface finish is truly terrible ...so how could the dimensionals be accurate? ....emery cloth? .

[@paul5683]

Does this run actual g codes and m codes? Multiple tool offsets? Otherwise, it looks like something that was invented 40 years ago.

[@diyfiberlaser]

Yes, I am running gcode exported from Fusion360 on it...see my pull stud turning video

[@keemao1]

the Masso it a great controller, for shure,,,,, but as a lathe controller there are to many G codes that it cant run

[@jaro6985]

They probably didn't understand or want to deal with the training/labeling required for shipping lithium batteries, even though its a small CR2032 style battery that isn't heavily restricted. Having to log in to download the software just to get the machine running is mildly concerning though.

[@chrisnorth3458]

each software is unique to what licence you have, and is constantly updated, why would it be of concern?

[@jaro6985]

@@chrisnorth3458 imagine 10 years from now when the website is dead and you go to set this thing up? Or the manufacturer decides you have to buy the newer model? it becomes ewaste.

[@taxicamel]

@@jaro6985 ....100% CORRECT .....that's one reason why each time you get an upgrade, YOU CREATE YOUR OWN BACKUP!!! If something works fine, it will ALWAYS work fine .....until something breaks. When the "support" ends, or they decide on "obsolescence", the "old" system will keep plugging away. .

[@michaelmcclure1167]

Just found your video on Masso controllers. I purchased the G3, not the G3 Touch. I waisted tons of time and money trying to find a touch screen that would interface with Masso G3. I don't own a 3D printer. Would you be willing to sell me a cable sleeve for the Masso Touch case. I am willing to pay and not waste time trying to make one. Great work on your videos.

[@diyfiberlaser]

You don't need a 3D printer, you can just purchase the sleeve: amzn.to/3BnXnkb

[@SantaDragon]

Sound is super low volume ... I had here to bump up till upper limit. Afterwards I listen to a music and nearly got hearless so loud it was ...

[@aususer415]

Battery? Shipping restrictions… freight costs increases with lithium batteries

[@xbox360Rob]

Try balance the audio, just blew my drums out skipping from talking to the machine running. no joke

[@RubyMVmistress]

I can't find this Machine? Even on their website, they don't have like a buy now. Or info to buy the machines?

[@diyfiberlaser]

This is an old machine that they don't sell anymore...you can find them on eBay and FB Marketplace every so often.

[@taxicamel]

I'm pretty shocked at how light this machine is. Just an FYI ....it is NOT designed to turn metal of any kind ...to any level of either accuracy or precision. It is just too light. There is no rigidity for a cutting tool. Listening to the tool cutting from your "stud-making" video is evidence of this. You should NOT hear a "grinding" noise when the tool is cutting. This is an indication of "vibration" happening throughout the entire machine during the cut because nothing is solid ...rigid. The machine will be fine for phenolics, but cutting metal, no so much for parts that need precision/accuracy. Yes, the pull stud came out fine .....but did you measure anything? The surface finish is really not very good ....but there is always emery paper. Once upon at time, in machine shop conditions, EVERY new machine was typically costed with an additional 10% for measuring tools. If you're interested, as of January/February, 2024, on EBAY, I have two Boxford Turning Centers listed. New, these machines are over $50K. Both machines are very similar sized but each has a different spindle drive motor. These machines are proper rigid machines with a very small footprint. Neither has been used in an industrial setting or actually used very much at all. They both require "retrofitting" very similar to what you have done. One has already been retrofitted with breakout board, but it requires a different control system ...such as Centroid ....or your touch screen. The other has NOT been modified. The original OEM main board is still there. This needs to be turfed. I am in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Machines can be crated and shipped as needed. .

[@crimpers5543]

normalize your audio plz

[@ryanunderwood7923]

You had me until you said you have a mac.