OK, stupid question time: I'm trying to understand how tool length is normally set. What I've been doing is using a gauge block, which I set on the top surface on the top of the part, touch the tool to the block, then set the Z DRO to the block height. This, of course, works fine, but I'm looking for something better. I made a quick-n-dirty height gauge using a dial indicator, following an example on the Industrial Hobbies website. But, I'm having a hard time seeing how to use it with Mach3. It is intended to sit directly on the table, and you touch to tool to it, and lower the tool until the indicator reaches a specific reading. All well and good for setting the height above the table, but all the Z positions in the G-code assume Z=0 is the top surface of the part. So, if I'm holding the work in a vise, the top of the part may be 3" higher than the table surface. So, how do I go from touching the height gauge, to correctly setting the Z DRO to the top surface of the work, without having to do the mental arithmetic, and typing into the DRO. I intend to make an elecronic touch place, which would raise the same questions....
Regards,
Ray L.