Thanks for all the replies. Today I got my flood coolant all mixed up and into the coolant tank. I was able to Spot Drill, Peck Drill and Tap a 5/16 18. That program was short so I simply printed my G-Code and inputed it by hand. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to make my first chips. I bought a little kit that included the RS232 Cable, USB Adapter, Tester and a Null Modem Adapter. Hopefully I can get the HAAS to accept my .NC files. I am running Windows 8 64 bit. I have read that 64 bit can be finicky when using a USB to Serial Adapter? Was hoping to just send the files VIA Masterdom X5, but I also watched someone online do it through Hyper Terminal. Ideally I would like to use my MacBook Pro. I can design all my parts inside on my desktop then transfer the files to my macbook, take it out to my shop and plug in the USB adapter and send the files to the HAAS. Any programs I can use for the Macbook Pro?

Thanks for the reply. I have not currently cut anything on my machine yet. My understanding is a 1/2 endmill has .02 ground so it's actually .48 in diameter. I understand what you are saying about equal depth of cuts, the first parts will need to plunge just past 1.25 so I can use a double bevel chamfer tool, all future machined parts will be screwed down to that jig. I need the extra clearance to allow the chamfer tool access to the bottom of the part. I know these are totally basic questions, but keep in mind this is my first CNC machine and I am trying to figure this out all on my own I really don't know weather to use Computer Wear or Control. These parts don't have to be highly accurate. Im just trying to understand it all.

So I think I might have figured this out. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. For my first Rough Pass Countour I chose max Rough Cut .3 Number of Finish Cuts 1 and Finish Cut .4 I left .01 stock Then under linking Parameters I selected my depth at Z-1.3 Under Backplot it made 4 passes and appeared to leave the .01 I created another contour pass, but this time I unchecked Multi Pass and made the stock left 0. Then in Linking Parameters made it Z-1.3 This appears to have achieved my desired results.....Is that the correct way for a simple contour path?

Hello everyone. Great forum. Lots of good information. Need some help if possible. I just got my HAAS VF0 up and running. This is my first CNC mill and I have been reading and watching lots of videos on how to program parts. I currently have a part I have designed in X5 and need a little help with some contour tool paths. I will try my best to explain what I need help with. 1. I have a piece of 6061 stock 1.25" Height (Z axis) I want to make a contoured profile to that part. I wish to make 4 passes at Z-.3 depth of cut for the first 3 passes with a final pass of .4 * I also want to leave .010 on the wall of the part so I can come back for a finish pass. This first op I want to use a YG 3 flute roughing end mill * For the finish pass I would just make 1 depth pass at Z-1.3 since it's a .010 cut on the wall of the part. So if I understand this correctly, I would want 2 operations or toolpaths created in order to do this. The first pass would be my 4 multi passes to achieve my final depth leaving .010 on the wall. The second tollbooth/op would be a depth of Z-1.3 and I would leave 0. on the wall for the final size. So my question is, Im not quite sure I understand the menu options 1. I obviously know how to select my tool, select the spindle speed and feed rate, lead in and lead outs and putting coolant on. Should I use the Computer or Wear option for the tool? I am just not quite understanding the options. under multi pass do I choose 4 and a minimum depth of cut at .3? I saw an option that said "stock to leave on the wall" I chose .010 for the first rough pass, then on the second pass I chose 0. Just not sure Im doing it right. Any help would be appreciated