# Mach4 skipping tool change? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Created:** [January 30, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654 "2023-01-30T01:37:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ROTM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@ROTM](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/ROTM)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/1 "2023-01-30T01:37:17Z")
Good day. I was cutting a shape in wood today. the first 2 cut are with a 1/4" bit (tool#2)and the last is a chamfer bit(tool#1 in vectric database) ![skiptoolchange](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/5/5d26598bdb12a6dffdc46294cc45b6482e9d5b0d.jpeg) ![Mach4 tool change skip](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/6/669fbe46a46abead67930278210e9c2d61d90fc7.jpeg) ![Mach4 tool change skip2](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/a/a9ab5fc734cbc48fa1a260316d9f0cfd41b88de5.jpeg) . It seems the machine did it all without stopping for the toolchange. so I had to separate the file to do the chamfer. Attached some pics …am I missing something here? a setting? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![subnoize](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/subnoize/32/2197_2.png) [@subnoize](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/subnoize)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/2 "2023-01-30T02:28:18Z")
That would be correct. You have to go in and make a M6 script to pause. Personally I would just save out two files and keep your tool number as #1. OLD: Bad things happen when you try to set tool offsets and the mess with that AvidCNC touch-off plate. NEW: If you do not have an ATC and you are manually changing your tools, you do not achieve anything by having a multi-tooled g-code file to run. If you use anything other that #1 tool in your files then you run the risk of invoking the Mach4’s Tool Table offsets and getting less than desirable results if the data is incorrect or not accurate. Proceed with caution. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/stephen/32/2569_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 3:03am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/3 "2023-01-30T03:03:03Z")
Did the M5 stop the spindle? The standard Avid setup is to stop for manual tool change. The only reason I can think of why it wouldn’t stop at the T1 M6 is if it thought tool #1 was already in the spindle. In that case, the tool number would have been shown as 1 in Mach 4. I’m thrown off by the lack of spaces in the G-code. Have you run a program with a tool change before, and are you using the Avid post-processor? I’m not familiar with the Vectric tool configuration, but the G-code is what ultimately matters. Try it again as an air-cut and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![ROTM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@ROTM](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/ROTM)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 3:29am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/4 "2023-01-30T03:29:56Z")
Yes I did run it before when the machine was newer and it did stop for tool changes. yes I am running avid post processor. This last job it ran all the way till the end. no stopping for the tool change. I will try out a new file with multiple tool changes and see what it does. funny thing is when I do the other file which is the chamfer tool path Mach4 go to do the toolchange so I have to press resume… the 2 last updates I made was…my screenset to the Jn woodworks. and updated the Ess to a newer version for the laser add ons. ---
**Author:** ![abakker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cdc98d/32.png) [@abakker](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/abakker)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/5 "2023-01-30T22:49:31Z")
check to make sure that your M6 script doesn’t call M1 Optional Stop. If the Optional stop is not enabled it will skip right by. ---
**Author:** ![davinciwoodworking](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/davinciwoodworking/32/1163_2.png) [@davinciwoodworking](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/davinciwoodworking)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/6 "2023-01-31T13:20:25Z")
I struggled with the the exact same thing for quite a while. After several conversions with other members of the community and Avid support it came down to a permissions problem in Windows. It seems the Variable for the current tool in use wasn’t being written correctly - hence being ignored as correct. After reinstalling Windows many times and struggling for countless hours trouble shooting computer hardware I decided to replace my computer I have never had the issue again. I bought a Intel i9 NUC with 32gb ram and it is flawless. Maybe your are experiencing a similar hardware/Windows issue like I was. ---
**Author:** ![ROTM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@ROTM](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/ROTM)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/7 "2023-01-31T16:45:05Z")
To abakker… where do I change this is this is the case? I hope its not the computer not I do not have anything to replace it with for now. The machine works good. Today I did another test. ran an air pass. first bit #1 …90 degree chamfer and 2nd bit #2 1/4 upcut. It started did the v carve pass when it came to M5 on the gcode the spindle slowed down…so I thought it is going to work then the spindle ramped speed again and continue to cut which was suposed to be the other bit. just for testing purposes I have changed the bit number to #44 in vcarve try it out again same thing. weird. on the mach4 pic attached it shows that the currect and selected tools are the same… ![no toolchange](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/2/2804e02edfaba9cc58d7a027db27869eac95ea04.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![davidcnc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@davidcnc](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/davidcnc)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/8 "2023-01-31T17:54:24Z")
does the code ever say T44M6? ---
**Author:** ![ROTM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@ROTM](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/ROTM)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/9 "2023-01-31T18:22:42Z")
Yes .. (Toolpaths used in this file:) (Profile mid mark) (Profile cut out) (Tools used in this file: ) (44 = V-Bit {90.0° - 1/2"} Whiteside {1502}) (2 = End Mill {1/4"} Whiteside {RU2075} Up cut) G00 G94 G20 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80 G91.1 T44M6 M07 G00 G43Z0.8000H44 S18000M03 (Toolpath: Profile mid mark Tool: V-Bit {90.0° - 1/2"} Whiteside {1502}) X0.0000Y0.0000F160.0 G00X5.5025Y3.9370Z0.2000 G1Z-0.0394F20.0 G1Y2.7559F160.0 G00Z0.2000 ## etc I am starting to think this is a mach4 problem 😕 ---
**Author:** ![davidcnc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@davidcnc](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/davidcnc)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/10 "2023-01-31T18:53:54Z")
That’s strange. Can you post the entire gcode? You can cut out the actual moves if you don’t want anyone to copy your design, but leave in all the headers and stuff before/after tool changes. Mach4 isn’t sentient and doesn’t just decide to ignore some commands for no reason. Sometimes the reasons aren’t great, but there’s always a reason! ---
**Author:** ![ROTM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@ROTM](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/ROTM)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/11 "2023-02-03T01:01:26Z")
I ran a test today with a file cutting 4 circles each with a different tool number so 4 toolpaths. The machine stops for toolchanges 28 and 10. slows down at tool number 2 and then ramps up and move on. Also since the last tool is number 10 shouldn’t it ask me for a toolchange at the start which is tool 24? Which it does not… ran the test 3 times same thing… gcode below…Any thoughts? * * * ## ( toolchangeskip ) ( File created: Thursday February 02 2023 - 08:53 PM) ( for Avid CNC Machines, post processor v3.0 ) ( Material Size: X= 3.937, Y= 3.937, Z= 0.039) ( Z Origin for Material = Material Surface) ( XY Origin for Material = Bottom Left Corner) ( Min Program Extents: X= 0.000, Y= 0.000, Z= -0.039) ( Max Program Extents: X= 3.937, Y= 3.937, Z= 0.000) ( Home Position: X =X0.0000 Y =Y0.0000 Z =Z0.8000) ( Safe Z = Z0.2000) () (Toolpaths used in this file:) (Profile 1) (Profile 2) (Profile 3) (Profile 4) (Tools used in this file: ) (24 = End Mill {1/8"} SpeTool {W03005} 1/8"Dx1/4"SHK O-Flute) (28 = End Mill {3/16"} Amana {51408} 3/16"Dx1/4"SHK SPIRAL O ALUMINUN) (2 = End Mill 1/4" AVID square end mill) (10 = V-Bit {90.0° - 1/2"}) G00 G94 G20 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80 G91.1 T24M6 M07 G00 G43Z0.8000H24 S18000M03 (Toolpath: Profile 1 Tool: End Mill {1/8"} SpeTool {W03005} 1/8"Dx1/4"SHK O-Flute) X0.0000Y0.0000F40.0 G00X0.8032Y3.6290Z0.2000 G1Z-0.0394F20.0 G3X0.2751Y3.1009I0.0000J-0.5281F40.0 G3X0.8032Y2.5729I0.5281J0.0000 G3X1.3312Y3.1009I0.0000J0.5281 G3X0.8032Y3.6290I-0.5281J0.0000 G00Z0.2000 M5 (Change to Tool: End Mill {3/16"} Amana {51408} 3/16"Dx1/4"SHK SPIRAL O ALUMINUN) T28M6 S18000M03 (Toolpath: Profile 2 Tool: End Mill {3/16"} Amana {51408} 3/16"Dx1/4"SHK SPIRAL O ALUMINUN) (Notes: ) G00X2.5512Y3.7345Z0.2000 G1Z-0.0394F60.0 G3X2.0544Y3.2377I0.0000J-0.4968F80.0 G3X2.5512Y2.7409I0.4968J0.0000 G3X3.0480Y3.2377I0.0000J0.4968 G3X2.5512Y3.7345I-0.4968J0.0000 G00Z0.2000 M5 (Change to Tool: End Mill 1/4" AVID square end mill) T2M6 S15000M03 (Toolpath: Profile 3 Tool: End Mill 1/4" AVID square end mill) (Notes: ) G00X0.9096Y1.9704Z0.2000 G1Z-0.0394F40.0 G3X0.4440Y1.5049I0.0000J-0.4656F60.0 G3X0.9096Y1.0393I0.4656J0.0000 G3X1.3751Y1.5049I0.0000J0.4656 G3X0.9096Y1.9704I-0.4656J0.0000 G00Z0.2000 M5 (Change to Tool: V-Bit {90.0° - 1/2"}) T10M6 S10000M03 (Toolpath: Profile 4 Tool: V-Bit {90.0° - 1/2"}) (Notes: ) G00X2.5591Y2.1260Z0.2000 G1Z-0.0394F25.0 G3X2.0079Y1.5748I0.0000J-0.5512F80.0 G3X2.5591Y1.0236I0.5512J0.0000 G3X3.1102Y1.5748I0.0000J0.5512 G3X2.5591Y2.1260I-0.5512J0.0000 G00Z0.2000 G00Z0.8000 G00X0.0000Y0.0000 M05 M09 M30 % Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/stephen/32/2569_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/12 "2023-02-08T16:17:25Z")
I just ran your toolchangeskip program. For me, it stopped at all the tool changes including the first one. [Avid’s Mach4 Troubleshooting guide](https://www.avidcnc.com/support/instructions/software/mach4UsersGuide/#mach4-troubleshooting) might be worth looking into. For what it’s worth, my setup has a router rather than a spindle. ---
**Author:** ![davidcnc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@davidcnc](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/davidcnc)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/mach4-skipping-tool-change/1654/13 "2023-02-08T16:28:36Z")
Same here I started with ‘Current tool: 1’ in Mach4 and it stopped at every ‘TxM6’ along the way. I have a spindle.