Getting started with Linux, LinuxCNC and CNC

Hi
As the topic says, I am totaly new to this. Linux as an os, CNC operating at all and LinuxCNC as a software to drive my machines.
For now I am concentrating on my Emco Compact 5PC lathe (I also have a mill but that has yet to be conquered).
After a bit of fiddling, I got the 5PC to listen to emc2 commands, using the configuration that Sam made for his. Machine is using genuine steppers and electronics.
I have no limit/home switches set, and its most likley to stay that way in the future.
Now, I am here at baby steps. What is the next step I should do?
I ve spent hours reading, but I am pretty much clueless what to do next?
Tooltable would be a logic thing to do? From what I could find and read about, I didnt get what is that I am supposed to do.
So could you help me out here , step by step, like explaining everything to some empty brainer
All the parts that I intend to produce are drawn/modeled in Solidworks, but we will get to that point of generating g code and making it usable in production.
Thank to all of you in advance, for the help I am sure I will get here
Stefan

I do 95% of my Ops using the ngcgui interface on my lathe.
gnipsel.com/shop/hardinge/hardinge.xhtml
linuxcnc.org/docs/2.7/html/gui/ngcgui.html

Does your lathe have a tool turret?

JT

sharpshooterser wrote: I have no limit/home switches set, and its most likley to stay that way in the future.

Limits and homes are rather useful, it means that the machine knows where it is.

Tooltable would be a logic thing to do?

I don't know if there is much point having a tooltable if you have no repeatable homing. You might as well just touch-off G54 every time you change tools.

Have you run any G-code yet? Try running the lathe_pawn.ngc file in the sample nc_files directory. Initially with no tool and no stock, but you can make the actual part if you want, it needs 25mm stock and assumes that it is faced-off to Z=0 and the end of the stock and that Z=-32mm doesn't hit the chuck.

Don't make the mistake I did, of touching-off in radius mode to a diameter measurement. (Live and on video )

I forgot to mention cut lots of air as Andy said and always do a chicken check after touching off. Move the tool to a location that you know the XZ should be and check that the DRO matches.

JT

Well, I intend to use several tools for one job, so I guess i do need a tool table set? Touching off is the correct method when you start a part for a t1, and from defined offsets the rest should know where they are? Is there a simple explanation how to do that?
Homing and stop switches are good thing I know, I might add them in the near future.
I tried cutting air for bishop, and then made the actual part from acetal (tried to make a video too but something wasnt cooperating in that process ). I used totaly wrong insert, but the bishop came out nicely after all And thank youdor touching off advice, I could of easily make the same mistake
As for interface, I use axis.
After tool setup, I should move on to getting usefull gcode from the parts drawings...

sharpshooterser wrote: Well, I intend to use several tools for one job, so I guess i do need a tool table set?

Yes, if you have a suitably repeatable toolpost,

One way to work is to have a "master" tool that you make sure always has zero offsets everywhere. You can then take a test-cut with that and use the "touch-off" button to set the coordinate system.
You can then make a cut with another tool and measure the work, then touch-off again, this time into the Tool-Table.
This way the offsets of each tool are differences from the Master tool. And when you start a new job everything should work once you have touched off the coordinate system with the master tool.