What direction do you crank the handle to move a tool from Right to Left toward the workpiece?

To move a tool from Right to Left toward the workpiece in a CNC machining context, cranking the handle in the negative (-) direction is the correct approach. This movement typically corresponds to the negative axis direction in the machine's coordinate system. In CNC machining, the axes are usually defined in terms of positive and negative directions, where the negative direction often indicates movement toward the workpiece.

The positive direction typically represents moving away from the workpiece, or increasing the distance from the origin point. Since the tool is moving closer to the workpiece, the negative direction is the right choice. Understanding these directional movements is fundamental to effectively operating CNC machines and achieving precise machining results.