So, I have my "new" Mill. Today I spent most of the day playing with it, I machined a very nice lump of Aluminium into a very small piece of Aluminium

Time wasted? Not at all, More than anything I have been "learning" the machine. I have read with interest some of the advice on here about how to machine a particular part or how to set a Mill up to do a task.

What I have always done with any new machine is spend some time learning the machine, this usually means doing something with the machine that has no particular importance, what I am trying to say I suppose is that I use the machine, but not set out to make anything specific.

In tody's adventure I set out to mill a 2"x2"x1" piece of aluminium into a square. I learned that there is a little bit of backlash in the Quill fine feed. I learned that I can't hold stuff in the vice at the very bottom of the vice – not if I want to mill it square! I learned quite a lot really and all without the pressure of having to get it right or ruining the all important "part".

Just my way of getting to know my kit without putting unneeded pressure on myself. I finished up feeling quite pleased with myself. All six sides almost square to each other

Very funny, mafde me chuckle.

But yes, a sort of Aluminium OXO cube It was a very stress free way of getting to know the Mill

Love the project there, maybe when I have a spare week or two I will have a go at that. On second thoughts, maybe a bit premature, later perhaps