Vertical milling for one-off parts and repair cuts
Vertical milling is cutting metal with a spindle that points straight down at a table the part is clamped to, run by a machinist rather than a program. Vertical milling is one of our specialties at the Reno shop, and it is the quick route for a single part, a slot, a keyway or a repair cut.
- Built from your specifications, drawings or samples
- Free consultations, prompt estimates
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- Reno shop, Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Stock photo: a milling machine cutting metal under coolant spray
Not every job deserves a program. When a part needs one flat squared up, a row of holes drilled from a layout, or a slot opened up, the work is done well by a machinist who can see the cut and adjust as it goes. That is the job a manual vertical mill does well.
At a glance
- Squaring, facing and flattening blocks and plates
- Slots, keyways and pockets cut by hand control
- Hole patterns drilled and bored from a layout
- Fixing a part that came back from another machine wrong
Love working with these guys, and gal. Great customer service and knowledgeable skill base. They have helped with many big projects and have always pulled though when our machines went down.
Where does a manual mill beat a program?
A manual mill needs little preparation beyond clamping the part and picking a cutter. For a single piece, that can mean the first cut starts soon after the part is set on the table, with no program to write and prove.
The trade is that the operator is doing the toolpath by hand, so the machine suits work where the geometry is straightforward: flats, slots, steps, holes and edges. For pockets, curves and parts you will reorder, CNC milling is the better fit.
Jobs that come in from other shops and other machines
A common request is fixing something that does not quite fit: a casting that needs a mounting face milled, a weldment that has to be squared up, a hole that must be moved. The part may have been turned, welded or bought, and now needs one more operation.
Bring the part and the mating piece if you can. Seeing how the two meet is faster than describing it, and the machinist can mark the cut where it needs to go.
- Milling a flat on a casting or weldment
- Adding a keyway to a bore or shaft
- Squaring a block to a drawing
- Cutting a notch or step in a finished part
Keyways and other small cuts
A keyway is a rectangular groove that lets a key lock a hub or gear to a shaft. Cutting one calls for a consistent width and depth so the key seats properly. The keyway and keyseat entry in the glossary explains the terms, and the shafts, threads and keyways page shows how the shop approaches shaft work.
How to ask for a vertical milling job
A hand sketch with the dimensions that matter is enough to start. Add a photo of the part, the material if you know it, and whether you need one or several. Send it through the quote request, or call (775) 359-5570 and describe the cut. The shop is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Sources
- Wolf Machine & Fabrication services list (2026-10-18)
- Key (engineering): keyways and keyseats (2026-10-18)
Typical vertical milling work
- Facing a plate or block so it sits flat
- Cutting a keyseat or keyway in a bore or on a shaft
- Opening a slot or elongating a mounting hole
- Drilling and tapping a pattern from a marked-out part
- Cleanup cuts on welded or repaired parts
Typical parts
- Machine bases and mounting plates
- Keyed hubs and pulleys
- Clamp blocks and spacers
- Welded parts that need a flat face
How to send us the job
Start with whatever you have: the drawing, the old part, or clear photos and a few measurements. Attach files to the quote request or bring the piece to 4812 Longley Ln.
Related
Questions about this service
From the shop
Work from the shop
Straight answers
Vertical milling questions
Still have a question? Call (775) 359-5570, Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
What size part will a vertical mill handle?
It depends on the part. Send the overall length, width and height with a photo, and the shop will confirm the setup.
Can you mill a flat on a welded part?
Yes. Facing a weldment after welding is a routine use for a mill, and it removes the warp that welding leaves behind.
Do you also do the drilling and tapping?
Yes. Holes and threads are cut on the same setup as the milling, whenever the layout allows.
Send us the job
Request a quote
Tell us what you need, attach a drawing or photos of the part, and we will get back to you during shop hours. Free consultations; prompt estimates.
- From your specifications, drawings or samples. We can also assist you in designing your product or part.
- Free consultations and prompt estimates
- Stands behind the work: Our rates are very competitive and our quality is second-to-none. Wolf Machine stands behind the work we perform.
- Company accounts: all major credit cards, or we can open an account for your company
Shop hours Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Send your request any time and we will get back to you during shop hours.
Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying