How I Ruined a $55 End Mill (Embracing Failure)

Failure isn't fun. We all have a desire for success and when an endeavor goes poorly we aren't having a great time. In truth, failing and learning is a huge part of the engineering process (much of science and engineering consists of smart people failing and making terrible guesses and improving as they learn). I hope that my journal of this particular failure helps you not make the exact same mistake and provides comfort that failure is a very normal part of the creative process.

My planned project this weekend was to machine a fidget spinner from a large block of remnant aluminum. It was designed to intentionally exercise the capabilities of a 3-Axis CNC machine with multiple sides and tool changes while being easy to setup in a vise.