Squaring Stock on a Mill

This video covers the proper way to square a part on a milling machine.


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[fall22123]

This is the textbook method and works in theory but take it from someone that has squared thousands of blocks, It doesn't work very well. Not if your block needs to be square and parallel to within .0005. You're better off getting 2 sides perfectly parallel to each other. You can then clamp on the parallel sides and square the other 2 sides.

[UWStudentShop]

@fall22123 What method are you using to obtain the first two parallel sides?

[OnionChang]

@UWStudentShop I think what fall means is that one side is usually parallel right from the get go if it is Blanchard ground stock. He probably didn't even know that himself.

[fall22123]

@UWStudentShop You clean up a side and put that surface on the parallels and smack it down, If either parallel is loose, the sides won't be parallel. If your part isn't square, use taller parallels. This only works if your part is already close to square (as most bar stock is) If it is really crooked, you need to use the round bar method to get it close. I was taught the round bar method in school but I could never get it to produce perfect square parts. ( I don't know anybody that has.)