Havins some serious issues getting the z-axis to end up where it should. Can I do this? Move the z-axis to the top of my stock, Zero the Z, then run the program which tells the z to go to .5", then plunge to -0.25, giving me a 1/4" deep cut. Seems like it should work, but doesn't. It appears all my axis are moving correctly, but can't make the Z cut to the right depth. Thanks...

Almost seems that the pluge to -0.25 is not really a plunge but a backing up from 0.5 inches by 0.25 inches.

Ric,
You don't say where the cutter is ending up, but if it is ending at +.25, then it sounds like your controller is set to do relative rather than absolute movement.

In other words, in relative movement, you are telling it to move up .5" and then down -.25" ending up at positive .25".
In absolute movement, it would move up to .5" and then back down to -.25" which is what you indicate that you want.

I could be way off base, but it is a thought.