Quote Originally Posted by Davek0974 View Post
Great, thanks.

Things are simpler on my manual Bridgeport - just throw in a tool, set the speed to the chart and turn the hand wheels at a rate that keeps her happy :) Got a lot to learn - my reason for building a CNC partly.

So i have a g-code file from SheetCam and it was programmed for say a 6mm roughing cut leaving an allowance for finish, do i need to make a second file for the finish cut or do you use the same cutter but just program a final cut for the finish pass??

One job i have in mind has some 3mm holes in it, i would be looking at ramping in with a 2 or 2.5mm tool for them and then do the outside profile with a larger tool maybe - I am lacking knowledge of how you change tool and get back to exactly the right place OR do you use the tool dia offsets in Mach3

As i said, lots to learn;)
Get Fusion 360, watch lots of good utoob vids on how to CAD and then CAM in it. Sorted.