Just got a shoptask machine (lathe mill combo) with the cnc option. they send mach3 for the software. Going through it to learn it as best as I can and I cant figure out how to jog the dang thing. The pdf file that was sent with the program gives a diagram with a jogball (wtf is that?), anyway, it looks nothing like what I have on my screen, matter of fact none of the diagrams or screenshots look like the version i am using. Not a problem not seeing most of the SC's, but this one is confusing me like, well, a newb..

Help please?! lol

You can jog the machine by pressing the arrow keys... is that working?

It works for the lathe, but it isnt for the mill.

let me modify my statement a little.

When it is in the prog for turning, while still switched to the mill, I can jog in the x and z for the mill (table left and right, quil up and down) when the machine is switched to work the lathe (I think, they sent absolute jack *********e with the machine as far as instructions..) nothing moves but the pc believes it is..

Dangit, they arent in to answer questions till monday..

Okay I think I see what you are up to...
Do you open up Mach3 turn when you are running the lathe? If so I think you need to set up the ports and pins

Nah, I use mach3 mill to run it. I just decided to try it while in mach3 turn and it would then let me jog.

There is a lot of stuff going on with this thing.

In inch increment, I move the table in x axis 2 inches, it moves 1. Scale is set at 1.

In z axis I move quill/spindle -1. and it moves up about .200 and viisa versa.

Sounds like manufacturer problem to me. Maybe they got mad and gave me a messed up unit since I complained about getting the machine a month later than I was supposed to.. lol.

Ill contact them directly on Monday and see if anything can be figured out.

It sounds like all the settings are messed up They should be able to send you a new set of XML files and you will be good to go!

Yea, settings are screwed up pretty good.

Someone else with one of these was kind enough to scan his instructions and send em to me.

So far I have the stepper motor for the x axis configured and running true now.

Working on the y at the moment. Gotta take the slop out of the lead screw first, which is kind of a PITA, but still doable.

Then hae to configure the Z. Also it says there is a way to reverse the direction for it, but being a puter dumby, Im not seeing that 1... yet.