Guides
G50 Max Spindle Speed on a Lathe (and the Crash)
On a lathe, G50 S sets the maximum spindle RPM. Leave it out with constant surface speed and the spindle can run away near the center. Here is why and the fix.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Guides
Why a Boring Bar Crashes Into the Back of the Part
A boring bar hits the back of the part when the Z depth runs too far: wrong depth, wrong Z zero, an absolute mix-up, or a bad retract. Here are the causes and fixes.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Practice
Makerspace CNC Router Safety Test: A Printable Guide
A makerspace CNC router safety test should cover PPE, the emergency stop, workholding, tooling, and program review. Here is what to include, with sample questions.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Guides
Missing Decimal Point in G-Code: Why It Crashes
A missing decimal point can make a G-code move 1000 times too big or too small, depending on the control's setting. Here is why it happens and how to avoid it.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Guides
Why Did ChatGPT G-Code Crash My CNC? What to Check
AI-written G-code crashes because the model does not know your machine, offsets, tools, or fixtures, and it can invent codes that look right. Here is what to check.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Practice
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a CNC Practical Exam
Most practical-exam failures are avoidable: rushing, wrong units, skipping offset checks, and freezing on a code. Here are the common ones and how to dodge them.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Guides
How to Safely Test a G-Code Program: Beginner Concepts
The checks beginners learn before running a new program: dry run, single block, rapid override, and a graphics preview, explained at a concept level.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Guides
Why Did My CNC Crash on G00? Common Beginner Causes
A G00 rapid moves at full speed, so a wrong offset, tool length, or start point turns a small mistake into a crash. Here are the usual causes, explained for learners.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Guides
The Z-Axis Plunge Crash: The G-Code Mistake Behind It
A Z-axis plunge crash usually comes from a rapid into the part, a wrong tool length offset, or a missing retract. Here are the code mistakes behind it, for learners.
Lawrence Arya··5 min