[HomeCNC]

Jkier,

Nice to see you over here. You are not the only one who has asked about the manual mode. When I did the conversion I decieded to go CNC all the way, no handles on it at all. I have found that was the best way for me. I can do everything using the computer and the DRO's that are there. I did help one guy who used my plans to add the wheels to the ends of the ball screws. He now tells me that he never uses them. He just keys the commands into the computer to move the machine just like I do. I also created a series of drill programs. They run a peck drill cycle and I have them to drill every 1/4" deep to 1". I just position the drill center where I want it and run the program.

If you still want handles on your machine you can do it with the X and Y. You just can't do it with the Z with my design. But moving the Z down with the computer and then locking the spindle works fine.