Newbie question on axis orientation

[jdholbrook]

Hi,
Just got my Taig/xylotex package up and running and am a bit confused as to which way the axises (?) need to go.
Which way does -X go? left or right? Do I home on the left end of the table or the right? What about the Y axis?

Looking thru some G-code I see negitive numbers. Will that mean I need to zero on the middle of the table?

Also.
How do I work the backlash? I've set it to 0.004" and turned it on in Mach2 but when I draw a circle with a pen clamped to the head the ends don't exactly meet. They miss by a small amount.

I've read the manual and have it open as I've worked with the unit. Still a little confused on the backlash tho.

Thanks

James

[Al_The_Man]

On a Mill the axis coordinate system is a bit confusing at first as the axis direction is defined as spindle movement, but usually the spindle does not move in the x,y only z.
Facing the front of the Mill, Z is -down + is up. X- the table has to move to the right, table move left for X+.
Table moves forward for Y+, to the rear for Y-.
Al.