Intro To Metal Mill (WEN Mini Mill)

Operating a Mill is an essential skill for metal machinists. In this foundational course we will introduce you to the WEN Mini-Mill.
About this Event

Welcome to the Intro to Metal Mill Course—your gateway to precision engineering and advanced machining techniques. In this course, you'll learn how to operate a small metal mill with confidence and accuracy, mastering the foundational skills required to produce precision components and intricate designs.

Mills are an essential skill for working with metal. By rotating a cutting tool against a workpiece, a mill allows for the precise removal of material, enabling the creation of everything from simple rectangular shapes to complex, customized parts that include slots, holes and shoulders, to name a few.

Throughout this course, you will gain hands-on experience with basic mill operations, including slotting, facing, and holemaking. You’ll also explore how to select the right tools and materials, how to set up the millfor different tasks, and how to troubleshoot common challenges.

We'll cover essential topics like:

• Understanding mill components and their functions, from the spindle to the X-Y Table.
• Proper setup and alignment to ensure concentricity and minimize tolerances.
• Tool selection, including facing, slotting, drilling, threading, and boring tools, as well as their proper geometry.
• Calculating cutting speeds, feeds, and depths of cut for various materials to optimize surface finish and tool life.

By the end of the course, you'll have hands-on experience in turning raw stock into precise, functional parts, and you'll gain a solid understanding of the principles that make mills an indispensable tool in manufacturing and prototyping. Whether you're aiming to refine your machining skills or embark on a journey of innovation, this course will provide the technical knowledge and practical expertise you need. Let's get cutting!

I’m a Denver native and recently retired. I have a background in Software Engineering and Motorsports Engineering. I've had a passion for Mechanical Engineering from an early age and it seems I've always been a maker and fixer. I love to repair and re-purpose older machine tools and have enjoyed building and racing sports cars in the SCCA. My other interests include fly fishing, hiking, traveling to F1 races and doting on my two tomcat rescues, Enzo Ferrari Mullen and Bruce McLaren Mullen.