[Potatohead908]

So I am trying to setup Mach3 and have some questions.

Is this correct or "normal"? I'm thinking it's not.

On my machine the zero's are
1) Z zero is at the top and increments to the negative while going down.
2) Y zero is with the table all the way forward and increments to the positive while moving to the back.
3) X zero is with the table all the way to the left and increments to the positive when the table moves to the right.

When you home your Mill...where is the table and head oriented?

[hoss2006]

You can set up your mill to home however you like, there are no "correct" ways to do it just user/manufacturer preferences.
I home how Mach defaults to at least in their tutorial video.
Z homes at the top of the travel, all moves down from home are -.
Y homes the table towards the column, all moves from home are +.
X homes the table towards the right, all moves from home are +.
This makes logical sense to me but you'll find plenty of VMC manufacturers go the opposite for X and Y and some users home to the middle even.
Whatever floats your boat.
You may need to change your x and y direction, think about it like the tool moving on the part it's cutting, the typical mode is like in this pic.

Hoss

[Potatohead908]

Thanks Hoss! It looks like I had the X axis stepping in the wrong direction. That explains part of my problem. I was trying to run a wizard to make a rectangular pocket and it was not working right so I think that is probably one of the problems. The other issue is understanding the screen for the "offsets" in Mach3. I had soft limits set earlier today and while doing something in the offset screen I turned off the soft limits I guess and now they won't work even after trying to reset them.

Also to you Hoss, do you have designs to convert the G0602 to CNC? I'm going to order the lathe on Tuesday.

[hoss2006]

No, sorry, mine is sitting in the basement untouched for 3 years now, we'll see if I ever get around to cncing it.
Hoss

[Potatohead908]

Is that because you use your Mill as a lathe? If so how much do you have into your 4th axis spindle? I see how it's done and thought about getting one of those "In-turn" 4th axis but the price and lead time turned me off. I figured if I CNC the lathe then I can have it running parts at the same time the mill is running parts too. However I definitely see the benefit of having it all in one.

[hoss2006]

No I just don't have easy access to it anymore or it would have already been cnced.
I have my little 7x lathe I modded for 5C collets that I use manually for little jobs but I don't have too much need for turning.
I do have parts collected to "someday" build a cnc lathe with linear rails but we'll see.
If I need to do some cnc turning and I do a little coming up, I just put the stock in the R8 collet or the lathe chuck in the spindle, clamp the lathe tool in the vise and I'm ready to do some quick and easy vertical turning in the mill.
Hoss

[Potatohead908]

Thanks Hoss. Do you know of any other CNC kits for the G0602 other than BD Tools?