Thanks for the response,
We can get the probe calibrated, it took some time and guesswork, Tape is a great idea, and we will give it a try when we have some flat parts, right now the parts are pretty complex, and i think we will just have to have special "clamps" made for them, some runs are large.

there are some more ????'s I have tho.

1. Why does the program send the probe off in other directions??i.e. program is running and just goes about 1/2 of an inch from part and just wonders around then gives me an error message
2. I "beeped" a cylinder (OD) to use the inside axis as a datum, I want to check the ID as well to check perpadicularity, when I attempted to "beep" the ID it gave me a circle, I overrode that and made a cyl., I expected it to be inside the other cyl. it was not, it was about 90 deg. off, it did ask if I wanted to male it the YAXIS, I do not, I want to see how it lines up. What did I do wrong??
3. I "beeped" the bottom of the part and need to measure the height. 1 point on bottom and 1 point on top, then another about1/2 a inch away, this gave me a reading about 1/2 a inch away. How do I toggle from polar to cartisain?
As ya'll can tell we are coming along, it is slow, we are looking for a experienced operator, to come in a few hours a day, to help us understand this software better, and are willing to pay a GOOD wage, so if anyone in the Dallas area wants to help, please let me know, it will be only for a month or so and only a few hours. I don't feel its a good idea to go for training when I can't even do a simple man. check.
THANKS,
Justin