I am milling a part I want to fit reasonably closely to something (close slip fit, ideally). Something like -0.000"/+0.001". I have it clamped in my mill vise, and I have a stop set to locate one end. I'm milling out a small pocket, and the best I can do for measuring the width & length is a digital caliper. The thing it fits on is too big to try in place.
Thus far, I haven't taken it out of the mill. I few more passes, and it should be done. My question is whether I have a prayer of taking it out & returning it with adequate precision if it ends up a bit tight? I was figuring that if it doesn't quite fit, I could count on it not locating exactly the same. That way another pass with the same settings should open it up a hair.
My experience says that I should (barring chips getting in the way) be able to relocate the part within 0.001", but I'm not sure how much better than that I can count on. Depth isn't as critical, so a little "vice lift" won't kill me.
Comments? Suggestions?
Thanks!
Doug White