Z axis cuts in the air - not plunging

When you say reload - do you mean 'homing'

I haven't been able to home since everything went to pot

Jeff65 wrote: When you say reload - do you mean 'homing'

I haven't been able to home since everything went to pot

No. when you edit any files you need to restart linuxcnc. Not the PC

Forget homing until you have the z axis searching in the correct direction to the switch

OK - I did those 2 changes and homed the Z axis and it homed ok

pressing page up makes the spindle go down and page down goes up

But the screen motion is correct

I know how to re set the keys on the key board so thats not a problem to me

That's strange where is your homing switch located should be at the top.

When it comes to the keys.
They are always "connected" to the workpeace, not to the machine. Means f.x. you press the left arrow, table moves to the right. = your tool will make his way into the peace direction left..... You will get used to that

I have no home on z at all... I think you only need that it you can work with fixed tool lenght. I use only z-min as safety shut off.