[CosmicGlenn]

Hi Im new to owning a cnc.

I have a question about manually changing from rough cut tool to finishing tool.
So do I load a rough cut gcode into mach 3 then when it finishes change tool and load a finish gcode? or can i make it one long code with a tool change stop between the two?

[mactec54]

Hi Im new to owning a cnc.

I have a question about manually changing from rough cut tool to finishing tool.
So do I load a rough cut gcode into mach 3 then when it finishes change tool and load a finish gcode? or can i make it one long code with a tool change stop between the two?

You can do it either way, sometimes though in Mach3 it does not like to stop, do a tool change, and a Tool height setting, and then start again, some have problems with this, if your Tools are preset, then there should be no problems, If you are new to this then do 2 separate Programs, until you can experiment with doing it in 1 Program

[steryd]

The scheme is to measure first the shortest tool and make it lenght to be zero, and then You have all the tools lengths in plus.
When You change tool for longer one You first call tool change, then move to toolchange position, then make tool change and go on.
When You change tool for shorter one first You go to tollchange pos, then change tool and call new tool.
This scheme make it as safe as possible.

[ger21]

If you're using a router, the best way to do it is to use a macro that automatically measures the new tool after a tool change.