# Ghost Carves/Z-axis not engaging

**URL:** <https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479>\
**Category:** X-Carve\
**Created:** [January 7, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479 "2018-01-07T00:02:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Thealwyatt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/thealwyatt/32/84338_2.png) [@Thealwyatt](https://community.inventables.com/u/Thealwyatt)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479/1 "2018-01-07T00:02:33Z")

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Completed my first project. Went incredibly smoothly.

Started second project–no changes to the machinery or wood being used.

Z ax-s will not engage when CARVE is hit. It lowers to about 1/16th of an inch and begins to AIR CARVE.

I am able to control the Z axis when homing the spindle.

What’s changed?

Things I have tried: Double checking the depth of material, trying different bits…everything else looks secure.

I am trying a new type face (Easel Pro.) But I have used other Easel Pro type faces and that worked.

Thoughts?

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**Author:** ![KyleBechtold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/46a35a/32.png) [@KyleBechtold](https://community.inventables.com/u/KyleBechtold)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479/2 "2018-01-07T20:28:49Z")

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Is the wood planed evenly? May be fine on the corner you home to, but lower where it goes to cut. Another thought is are you using the same location you cut in last time? If not you waste board may not be parallel.

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**Author:** ![Thealwyatt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/thealwyatt/32/84338_2.png) [@Thealwyatt](https://community.inventables.com/u/Thealwyatt)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479/3 "2018-01-07T21:17:29Z")

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Good points. Yes, the wood is planed evenly. Having had a problem with a level waste-board, I’ve been sure to check the level before I cut.

Hmmm…will investigate a little bit more. Will try some other pieces of wood.

If I figure it out, I’ll post. Thanks for the reply.

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**Author:** ![JustinBusby](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/justinbusby/32/30906_2.png) [@JustinBusby](https://community.inventables.com/u/JustinBusby)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479/4 "2018-01-08T16:26:24Z")

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How are you setting the Z zero?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Thealwyatt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/thealwyatt/32/84338_2.png) [@Thealwyatt](https://community.inventables.com/u/Thealwyatt)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479/5 "2018-01-12T03:38:54Z")

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Manually. To the lower left corner. Down so the bit touches the wood.

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**Author:** ![JustinBusby](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/justinbusby/32/30906_2.png) [@JustinBusby](https://community.inventables.com/u/JustinBusby)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/ghost-carves-z-axis-not-engaging/48479/6 "2018-01-12T03:47:23Z")

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Manually as in using jog controls in the software?