Can I use the DRO like a manual DRO?

Hey guys, after a few weeks of running LinuxCNC I have a couple of questions. If I go to the DRO tab (Axis is all I've tried) I don't see a way to set it to zero wherever I want (without rehoming). I'd like to be able to do this so I'm doing anything manually. Is there a mid-point function etc available in the DRO mode?

Speaking of doing things manually...I believe I saw in the quick reference something to that effect, the F3 key if I recall. What does that do? I think I tried it but I didn't notice anything change or do differently.

In axis that is done with the "Touch Off " button. With it you can zero the selected axis for your chosen work coordinate system. (It can also be done with G10 commands)

If you're going to be doing manual work on a CNC, will you be using a MPG pendant? If so, you could program buttons on that to touch off whenever you wanted to zero a position, rather than reaching for a mouse.

Thanks Todd! Of course, I've done that many times for z axis never thought for the DRO I could use it to do the zero'ing. I'll try that. However, what about the mid point function etc? is that there?

Lastly, what's the F3/manual function do?

@Dan, yes possibly a pendant down the road once I figure it out with the mouse first. This is for random odd/small jobs where a neighbor says 'hey can you bore this hole out .125?"' Rather than drawing it out etc I can just jog the bit over and do it quick. In fact, I did just do exactly that but I ended up using my existing Yuri's DRO since I couldn't figure out how to use the DRO tab like a real DRO. Are there any good pendant recommendations btw, that don't break the bank?

I have strictly manual bench lathe with a Yuri's TouchDRO on it currently - fantastic system. My only CNC machine today is my small router -- but the ballscrew kit for my mill actually arrived TODAY, so I'll be in the market for a pendant in the next month or so. No recommendation at this point.