Ran a brand new 8mm endmill into a vise jaw this morning

I was running a production run of aluminum brackets, about 200 pieces. Got distracted by a phone call and forgot to re-zero after a tool change. That carbide endmill hit the hardened vise jaw at 10,000 RPM and just exploded. Cost me $65 for the tool plus 45 minutes of setup time. Anyone else have a bonehead move that cost them more than just money?

3 comments

3 Comments

torres.grant1mo ago

I did the exact same thing with a phone call distraction, now I silence my phone during setups.

joel_hall171mo ago

Is silencing your phone really the answer though? @the_jessica had a bad crash too, and it sounds like she learned the hard way that distractions happen no matter what. Phones aren't always the problem. What about when a machine alarm goes off mid-cut, or someone walking by asks you a question? That stuff happens even with your phone on silent. I say get better at double checking offsets after every interruption, not just phone calls. You need to build a habit where you verify everything before you hit the green button.

the_jessica1mo ago

Dude I blew up a brand new 1/2" carbide rougher on a steel plate last month because I forgot to switch the G54 offset after a vise move. Heard that pop and just stood there staring at the shards for like 30 seconds. My boss still brings it up over coffee.