Machining for Precision

If you are just learning to machine, it may seem an enormous amount of work to remove one workpiece, put in another, then rezero before starting the program again.

This is the solution: a workpiece stop.

This slides into the T-slots of the table, and locks down.  You move the stop to the end of the workpiece, zero the X axis.  In this case, the program is slicing at x=2.311".  After finishing, I put the next workpiece and hit start again.

It may not be apparent but these two pieces are exactly the same width and length. 

Even if you do not need an exact dimension, getting consistent dimensions is good.  I had four blocks that needed to be +-.01" so I used the workpiece stop on the narrowest piece ran the mill along it, then put the slightly wider pieces in place and trimmed.