Hi,
I use Bills strategy also. I have only manual tool change and must perforce touch off in Z every toolchange.
I use Fusion and its really quite convenient for this procedure.
I do the CAD per normal then go to the CAM section. I do all the tool operations say with the 1.5mm four flute endmill
on one material setup. It's very useful to think about and decide early on a work zero that will remain consistent throughout
multiple operations.
Now when I want to swap tools to 1/8th or 1/4 say, I make a new setup, but Fusion offers the convenience of re-using the existing material setup,
and if you have chosen the work zero appropriately then you can retain the same work zero, at least X and Y, but touch off the Z alone and zero at the tool change.
Fusion applies a post processor to each setup, thus with the two setups which are essentially replicas, I end up with two toolpath files, and I name them OP1, OP2 etc. Its quite
convenient. Most importantly NO-COCKUPS!
Craig