Ultimate Guide to Tool Setter & Touch Probe Use On Onefinity Elite CNC

[@OnefinityCNC]

Best video ever! And very helpful!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Oh dang! Approval from the mothership!! Thanks for watching and thanks for making the best ultra-hobby grade CNC’s available anywhere! 👏👏

[@BrianHPittman]

Superb information. I will be referring a lot of folks on the facebook to this video. Share this gift with Punk and get her a donut.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks Brian, glad you liked it! Also thanks for sharing and for the nice tip!! 😉👍

[@wraven7974]

Like always… easy to follow Masso/Onefinity instructions and that step by step guide will be handy to follow once my tool setter arrives and is installed. 🙌

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks @wraven7974!

[@tristonm37]

Thank you for this one. That second homing after loading the first tool was the step I was missing!!!!!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@TNDWW875]

Very very good and well laid out mitchell. The detailed instructions are awesome. Thank you sir

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@BrianHPittman]

Very good video. I have a similar checklist for my startup but will have to add a couple of these in my mix. Thanks Marty. Keep them coming.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks, will do!

[@TNDWW875]

Thanks!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Oh wow! Thank you so much!

[@51rclewis]

Best video yet on using both and what steps you must take. Thanks for clearing this up!!!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful for you, thanks for watching! 😊👍

[@Chambrs]

BTW thanks for the check sheet, that will save missing steps.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

My email is in my contact info on my channel page. Send me an email and I'll be glad to send you .pdf copy of each version of the order of operations.

[@Chambrs]

@@MitchellsWoodwork kind offer thanks but I made my own and more it hangs most prominent. Good work.

[@Chambrs]

You have conquered the tripping point of forgetting to put the magnetic end of the touch probe plate on the spindle. Where have you put it?

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

I didn't have to use the magnet on the spindle at the time of this video (before the ATC install). With the combination of a non-ATC PwnCNC spindle and my QCW Wasteboard, I could keep my magnet attached to the front screw heads of the QCW, and that was sufficient to ground the touch probe. That was possible because the non-ATC spindles have steel bearings that allow the touch probe to ground from the collet to the QCW. As a side note, the ATC spindles have ceramic bearings, which are not conductive, so the magnet must be used with those. So now, as a reminder, I have the word "magnet" written in Sharpie on all sides of my touch probe, and I still forget it sometimes! Great question, thanks for watching!

[@MyersWoodshop]

Awesome video! Super helpful!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks, bro!! 😊👍

[@basilloizou1942]

hi I'm loving your tutorials thanks for you detailed videos. can you provide information about spindles as I am change over from Makita to a 12 mm Spindle and have trouble with my z axis . I have an Elite Journeyman with I purchased recently

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

What kind of trouble with your Z axis?

[@apachesim]

Hi Mitchell.. love the instructional videos and I have learnt a lot since upgrading to MASSO from Mach 3. I just have one question though… Why cant you use the Tool setter to register Z. I suppose my real question is if I have a tool setter do I really need a Touch plate too?

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks, glad to hear my videos have helped you! 😊 The tool setter and touch probe perform two totally different functions, and neither can do the others job. In a very simplified summary, the touch probe tells your Masso where the Z work origin is located. In most cases, the Z is the top of your workpiece. The touch probe defines the top of your workpiece (sets your Z height). It can also be used to set your XY. However, you CAN set your XYZ without a touch probe (paper method) but the touch probe is generally faster and more accurate. The tool setter only measures the length (offset) of each tool in relation to the first tool you used to measure your Z. With a tool setter you only set your Z once, at the beginning of the job, then the tool setter takes over from there. Without a tool setter you have to manually probe Z with your touch block (or paper method) each time you change to a different tool. Oddly enough, NEITHER one of these are absolutely necessary. There are workarounds that can allow you to get the job done without a touch probe OR tool setter. This is what I call “ultra-caveman mode”. The ultra-caveman shuns all helpful technology and prefers to use his shiny new Onefinity as a club to dispatch small dinosaurs. Don’t be this guy. The other cavemen will draw unflattering pictures of you on their cave walls, and tell jokes about you around the campfire. True story.

[@apachesim]

@@MitchellsWoodwork Thank you for taking the time to explain, touch plate now on order. Keep making the videos.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Awesome!! Let me know if I can help you with anything else. 😉👍

[@ZER0o10]

Why arent you using the magnet on the collar when using the probe? I have same setup and instructions said to use it. Thx in advance!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

It only works with the QCW wasteboard and PwnCNC spindles (except ATC spindle) just put the magnet on one of the QCW screw heads on front of wasteboard, then probe as normal.

[@RCElectricFlyer]

Good video. This will help users a lot. Some comments though. The second two homing steps seem necessary in the "No Tool Setter" workflow. In the "Tool Setter" workflow, unless the posted file is missing a Txx M06 tool change line before the first tool path blocks, it is simpler to let the machine request a tool change rather than pre-empting this by changing the bit as the second step. Unless the Z-datum is changed, this makes the "Home Machine Again" step unnecessary. Also, if the bit is ever changed without a prior tool change request, the tool offset adjustment can be made with a Txx M06 in the MDI rather than by homing all axes again.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks for your input, I appreciate learning alternate methods. The most common question I get is about 'when and how to use the probe block with a tool setter'. So my main point in the "Tool Setter" section of the video was to show when to use the PROBE BLOCK to set the Z on your work piece. If you wait until Masso prompts you to load the tool, the next step would be to hit "cycle start" and begin the carve. There's no natural gap in the process to use the probe block after Masso prompts you to load the first tool. If I'm understanding you correctly, you're basically saying that my step 3 "home machine again" could be replaced with Txx M06 in the MDI. Am I correct?

[@RCElectricFlyer]

@@MitchellsWoodwork Gotcha. Great that you are providing so many helpful videos. Yes the Txx M06 MDI command moves the spindle to the tool change location and accesses the tool setter after pressing Cycle Start in exactly the same way it does when encountering Txx M06 in an NC program. But consider this. The machine always remembers the loaded tool - even between power off/on cycles. So If you always set Z0 as the wasteboard surface, with the tool setter function active you theoretically never need to probe Z again. A user can set Z0 at the bottom of the material whenever practical to benefit from this.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

@@RCElectricFlyer man I’ve been so tempted to try zeroing off the wasteboard, just haven’t got my nerve up yet.😁. But that’s a great point, thanks for the reminder!

[@RCElectricFlyer]

@@MitchellsWoodwork Ya. I find a bottom datum works very well for most, but not all, operations. Profile cutting and thru-hole boring operations can result in near zero wasteboard encroachment when the datum is at the bottom. But zeroing off the top is more precise for something like fine engraving unless of course one of the prior machining steps is a clean up or facing operation for the surface to be engraved.

[@kennethchatham]

Hi, Is it just me or did I miss how you homed the Onefinity? I know you didn't turn it off and then back on so I assume you hit something on the screen to re-home. Could you share that? Thanks otherwise for the information. When you go over the tool setter and the second homing sequence whatever you do to home the Onefinity, on the masso screen is not shown.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

I just double tapped the “Ready - Machine Ready” button on the Masso at the 11:20 mark in the video. It’s the only way I know of to manually home the machine.

[@stevereese6488]

Great video, for some reason my masso link doesn’t work. I followed your video but when trying to add the ip address and the other two addresses it tries to input 255 on the last set of 3 numbers on the ip address. I will get it figured out. But for now I’m in Neanderthal mode of loading a file to a thumb drive. Oh and I got my condensation issue fixed. I put in a blast valve on the 6” duct going to my dust collector on the outside of my cnc room. It started out in life as a harbor freight dust collector, the only thing og on it is the fan motor and fan housing. I added a 30 gallon steel drum and onieda xl cyclone, deleted the filter bag and 3d printed a rectangle to 6” flange on the exhaust and send that outside my shop. Works great but that bigger fan I put on it draws more amps. I put a soft start kit on the motor but run amps is 12.4 amps so that trips my iot relay. No I have a remote control on the outlet to my dust collector which works better, I can use it to clean the surface after carving and the floor. It goes from 6” down to 4” with magnetic quick connect couplers. I got those lead screw wipers as well off Etsy. I bought the brackets to add the broom bristles to protect the lead screws on x and y but when running that dust collector it get 99% of the dust chips as it carves. I have the v10 boot. Wish it connected the hose out the back instead of the front but it works great even with a 2” surfacing bit.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

We need to get that Masso Link issue figured out, it’s too great of a feature to not have access to it. Sounds like you’ve got everything else going your way though. Schedule a support call with me and let’s try to get that Masso Link working for you.

[@jk3256]

good video thank you. I get the rehoming but I do have a question. In the cave man version of the video you didn't set the xy after homing. Later you mentioned that you used an offset so maybe that is why you didn't have too. I am coming off the original 1f machine so will have some habits to break. but on the 1f with the build box controller every time I home the machine I have to reset the xy. Is the massao different?

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

The difference between the Masso and any other hobby grade controller software is like night and day. With the Masso you can set G-Offsets that are fixed locations anywhere you want them. In my case, I have my G55 offset set to the inside corner of my waste board fence. It’s basically a repeatable XY location exactly where I want it (inside corner of my fence). As long as I place my workpiece inside the fence, and enable my G55, the XY is automatically set. You can have up to 6 such locations set for various jigs or fences. G-Offsets are also a huge time saver if you’re batching out parts or projects.

[@cobrabyte25]

Installed tool setter and worked great, after the carve I removed the bit and stored it. Next day I turned on the machine and when I homed it, it went to x and z then went to the tool setter and the collet nut bottomed on the tool setter which fortunately worked out, but I was worried it would keep going. Am I supposed to keep a bit in the router so this doesn’t happen when I first start the machine and it homes? Or is there a way to avoid this, or should you want to avoid this? Thanks!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

I’ve always just left the last bit used loaded in the spindle (or router) to avoid that happening. On the rare occasions I’ve homed without a bit loaded, I’ve either hit the e-stop when the spindle moved to the front of the machine so I could load a bit (then immediately re-home). Or just press the button on the tool setter when the spindle gets in an easy position to load bit (then immediately re-home). Great question, thanks for watching!

[@cobrabyte25]

@@MitchellsWoodwork Thanks for your quick reply, I appreciate it.

[@DsBallsandExotics]

Got the xyz probe recently and am having a problem resetting Z when asked for a bit change. Once the pop up to change the bit comes on I try to home and it won’t let me do that or use the block to zero Z. Am I doing something wrong?

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Which machine are you running?

[@DsBallsandExotics]

@@MitchellsWoodwork the Elite Foreman

[@stefanholloway2631]

Overall, very helpful video and timely for me as I'm just setting up my Onefinity Elite. Great channel, keep it up. However, I did have one question. Looking at the tool setter 'order of operation', the second step is to 'load first tool'. Does anyone know if there is a G-code or function to manually go to tool change position? I played around with 'T(tool #)M06', but that invokes the entire tool change process, which I don't want since the next step is to re-home the machine... Obviously, I could just jog it there, but the whole point of the tool setter / tool change position is to minimize the manual stuff.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

I don’t know of any way to MANUALLY move to your chosen tool change location, other than jogging the machine. I wanted to add a similar function (go to work origin) to one of my EZ Buttons, but Masso doesn't currently support configurable user inputs. There's a feature request section on the Masso forum at the link below. forums.masso.com.au/threads/go-to-work-origin.3557/ However, as shown in the video, if you have your auto tool zero turned on, it’ll automatically move the spindle to the tool setter (a.k.a. "tool change location") when you first home the machine. In order to help me (and others) better understand your particular issue, under what circumstance do you foresee needing to manually move to the tool change location?

[@stefanholloway2631]

Oh well, it was worth a try... Lol. Thanks for answering.

[@mickkoldy1323]

Today I set up my tool setter and I'm confused about the order. On the tool setter list what if your first tool is a V-bit? I can set the Z with the v-bit but not X and Y on the probe block. What am I missing?

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

I suppose it depends on which style v-bit you’re using, but I have used my Groovee Jenny vbits to set XY without any issues. But you can always set the XY manually if you’re not sure your bit can be used with the probe block. The key to using a vbit is to make sure the largest diameter of the bit touches the sides of the probe block. You may have to lower your vbit almost to the surface of the workpiece in order to avoid the tapered edge of the bit contacting the side of the probe block.

[@mickkoldy1323]

@@MitchellsWoodwork Thanks!!!

[@loganrose2791]

What if you're not using a probe block, but instead a digitizing probe?

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

I’ve never used a digitizing probe, but I’m pretty sure it would just be used in the same situations as the probe block.

[@bigeasy_f150]

why does my bit plunge all the way to the spoilboard? after the bit change, you press the green button, the machine goes to the tool setter and touches, then its goes over to the material and plunges all the way through it

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

@@bigeasy_f150 are you positive that you set your Z height on top of your workpiece? Do you have the Z set to “machine bed” in VCarve?

[@bigeasy_f150]

@@MitchellsWoodwork it only does it now and then. Some carves work fine and some times after the bit change and it touches the tool setter for the 2nd bit. It just plunges straight through the entire piece of material

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

@@bigeasy_f150 when you get that plunge, is it always on the second tool?

[@bigeasy_f150]

@@MitchellsWoodwork yes. but its not every carve. just happens randomly

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

@@bigeasy_f150 go over on the Masso forum and post your issue there. I’ve had great luck finding answers to problems like yours. forums.masso.com.au/

[@dynamicsx]

So that's what I've been doing wrong! I wasn't re-homing after the first bit change on the Masso with a tool setter. Duh!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

It’s such an easy step to overlook. I’m glad it helped you, thanks for watching!

[@keithslater8646]

Even more confusion. Why do you have to home the machine twice? Why do you have to measure tool twice? Why can I not have both tools in same file? How did you prompt the machine to measure tool by just pressing "home"?

[@irishwhiskey65]

You don’t need to home twice. You would load your first bit, probe and then load file. Tool setter would then do its thing. And the MASSO does allow you to have both tool paths in one file, original OneFinity machines would not allow one file, you had to separate. Hope that helps.

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

The reason I homed twice is because when I homed my machine the first time, the tool setter automatically measured whatever tool was in the spindle at the time (vbit), even though that wasn’t the first bit I needed for my project. If I had just changed to the endmill, then set the Z on the probe block (without re-homing and measuring the new bit) it would have carved much deeper than intended because the first measurement on the toolsetter was a vbit that was much shorter than the endmill. You don’t need to home twice if you’re not using a tool setter. OR if the correct bit is in the spindle when you first home the machine and it automatically measures the bit on the tool setter.

[@keithslater8646]

@@MitchellsWoodwork At 15:30 you homed the machine. then it immediately measured the new tool after that. How did you do that??? Why did you have to probe for Z again? Why did the tool need to be measured yet again? The more I watch this, the more confused I get. Also I noticed that your ball screw is bouncing up and down when the machine is homing...is this normal on 1F machines???

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

F1 > Auto Tool > Enable Auto Tool Zero I answered your other questions in my first comment in this thread. Go back and watch my other tool setter videos and I think you’ll have a much better understanding of how to setup and use the tool setter. kzbin.info/aero/PLqRrCnqsxc205ni9bmqukEaVEn2pkQF9M&si=VRUwoJ_2radM38pH

[@TNDWW875]

Keith, he did the second home of the machine because he changed the bit to a quarter inch end mill (WITHOUT) BEING PROMPTED by masso to do so. If you do change the bit without being instructed by masso you have to rehome the machine with the new bit.

[@kevinrich4637]

Good information. I guess I’m a cave man lol

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

😁 The caveman is just a comedic running theme in most of my videos. He means no harm or offense, and neither do I. Thanks for watching! 😉👍

[@kevinrich4637]

@@MitchellsWoodworkoh I was laughing!!! Listen I am NOT PC person! I would mind a tool setter but some other things need to come before that. Keep up the good work my friend!

[@MitchellsWoodwork]

Thanks Kevin!