using linuxcnc on a raspberry pi to control a boxford 250pc lathe

hi Group

I just purchased a boxford 250pc lathe in a hardely used immaculate condition; however, as per the norm, it has no brain and the internal electronics, although pretty much unused, will be changed over to new stuff so I eliminate any issues and get going properly first time.
I will then likely use all the removed bits for other projects.

• controllers
  At the moment, I am considering LinuxCNC, Mach 3/4, poss arduino,  and Centroid Acorn
  So can anyone advise if LinuxCNC on a Raspberry Pi will be powerful enough and good enough to use on a Boxford 250PC lathe with 2-axis, a tool changer, homing limit switches, spindle encoder with z values for threading, spindle speed control, a pump, E-stops, and the potential for another two-axis as well?
  
• I like the idea of Raspberry Pi as it is small, adaptable, and can be built into cases, etc.. but would I be better off using a PC?? 
  or is the Raspberry Pi the way to go?
  or will Arduino be even better?
  
• I am pretty good at doing stuff, and learn quickly. I have had some experience programming steppers from an Arduino before, but with LinuxCNC is there lots of help information available on the web and youtube etc, and is the forum friendly, helpful, and resourceful when needed?
  
• What does the linuxCNC use for lathe control software (i.e like mach 3/4 or centroid CNC12)?
  Does it work well?
  is there any links to see it in action on YouTube?
  can it be messed about with to map out the control screen as i would like?
  Can the control screen running the lathe control software be used in portrait mode on a reasonable-sized screen?
  
• With LinuxCNC on a Raspberry Pi, are there any limits to motor sizes in both stepper and servo motors?

I look forward to any input/feedback

Z

In my opinion, some model RPIs (4 or 5) are capable enough to make a control using Linuxcnc, but a PC will generally make a more robust and reliable system, and probably not cost significantly more.