Abstract: A machining control method for an electrical discharge machine compensates for the lagging of the wire electrode as the electrode is advanced from a straight line portion to a change of direction portion of the outline to be machined. The wire electrode is advanced from the straight line portion of the outline until it reaches the change of direction point of the outline and is then halted until the wire electrode lag is corrected. During the halt, machining takes place under a different set of conditions. When the lag is corrected, the wire electrode is advanced along the change of direction portion under a third set of machining conditions. When the wire electrode reaches another straight line portion, the outline machining of the workpiece is resumed under the first set of machining conditions. Also disclosed is a method of controlling the positioning of a workpiece by trial positioning a large number of workpieces having a variety of weights under a variety of load conditions of the control motor.