Machinist Apprentice | Impossible Undercut Pocket Feature | Day 166

Nearing completion of these L-shaped blocks with only a couple of features to go!

Neither my boss nor I thought about a specific indented feature on this part that could nearly have been impossible to create.

One wall of the L-shape is at an angle inward; you can't access a small pocket feature down at the bottom that needs to be square with the bottom face. The L shape's long segment is similar to a dovetail where you have the two angled walls coming in toward the middle. 

The only way to get an undercut pocket would be to use a long-reach dovetail, or in this case, a slot mill with a reduced neck. Unfortunately, because of this, the surface finish will be difficult to make look pretty, so we're not going to get points there. It's one of those really unique features that you seldom see but can really bite you in the bud if you're not careful when quoting parts like this. 

Really liking the new cleaning and deburring station in the shop with organized spots for each tool! It makes things much easier when you're working with another person; there's a spot for each tool, so you always know where to find it without wasting time looking.