It seems that LinuxCNC's G81 wants to move into the negative only. Example: A large back-counterbore is to be drilled. With this op the retract plane is further down in Z- than the actual machining point.
Another example: A tool in the spindle has got a 90 deg offset in A or B, for horizontal boring operations. G81 works fine if approached from X+, drilling into the right side of the workpiece, but breaks if approached from X-, left side of the work piece.
Code:
(DRILL FROM LEFT)
(TOOL AT B-90 ANGLE WITH ANGLE ADAPTER, NOT WITH ROTARY TABLE, HORIZONTAL OP FROM LEFT SIDE )
(SET G19, WORKPLANE YZ, APPROACH FROM LEFT SIDE)
N100 G19 (CURRENTWORKPLANE 0, -1.5708, 0)
N105 G0 X-5.
N110 G81 X10. Y-20. Z-20. R5. F250
N115 G0 X-15.
N120 G53 Z0.
