Z- out of soft limit error

[nevermore]

I am just getting started with CNC so I figure there will be a lot of trial and error. So I am sure the problem I am having is Newbie error.

First thing I am trying is to surface my spoil boards. I home the machine, then, x/y 0, then bump the spindle y+ and x+ place puck under spindle, and push toolset button, this is supposed to set z axis origin at top of spoil board.... correct?  load the e8sfc file I set my spindle speed to 18000, hit run and ok...

BUT I get a z- out of soft limit error...
I figure the z axis is too high to touch the board, so I pull the bit out of the a bit, so it will be lower... it still doesn't touch. It runs but is def. not touching the boards...
long story short, I then manually lower the z axis as far as it will go and it does not zero out... i think it is + 1.76, according to the controller, above the spoil board.

- Do you set the bit all the way in the collet, or just up to the printed line on the shank? (either way it still doesn't touch spoil board/ zero all the way out).
- being that when i manually lower the spindle it bottoms out before it touches the spoil board, am I supposed the lower the spindle somehow? Maybe it wasn't set correctly at Axiom?
- Is there a decent tutorial on how to set up this machine, or walkthrough to get to know the machine?

I have been doing lots of tutorials for the software, but some guidance on getting the machine up and running properly, would be great.
I know Axiom has the on line classes for $299, I just don't have the time to get through all the classes in the 30 day time limit they advertise. 

Any help would be appreciated.

[gerry]

If you run the spindle Z down manually after toolset, it should read '0' if set correctly. What machine are you running?

[jrg]

It appears that he's running an Elite 24 x 48 Axiom. I'd call Chad as something is not right. the Z on the Elite is belt driven, and sounds like the calibration is off.

[nevermore]

yes I am running the ar8 elite... just trying to get it set up... finally did get it to surface spoilboards, and run a grid pattern, but had to manually set z- at a negative number (-1.825) to get it to run properly...
I guess i need to see if someone at tech support can help me figure out how to zero z- properly.
I actually figured out how to get it to at least run, by reading past posts that you replied to, Gerry... so thank you so much for being out there, and trying to help out. Knowledge is power.