Trouble With Program

[Tim S]

Thanks for posting the file, that really helps me see what you are trying to do.

Option 1

For this part I would run it in two ops. The first op would drill the holes, then mill the contour for half of the depth in the Z (-.175). Then flip the part over and mill the other half. To reduce the amount of material that you would need to remove, you can use a bandsaw to rough cut it.

Option 2

Drill the holes, then create a small fixture to clamp the material through the holes you drilled with socket head cap screws. Then put the fixture in the vise and mill the contour. Still 2 ops, but you could leave the material the way it is.

When you have a piece that is going to fall into the middle of the vise, you always risk the chance of the endmill grabbing it, creating quite a mark in the piece or worse off, breaking the cutter.

[pzzamakr1980]

Tim, I really appreciate all the suggestions and help. I will probably be doing idea number 2. It will give me some practice with fixtures which i am going to need anyways. Thx again Tim

[Tim S]

No problem & good luck!