What is the best practice to ensure even seating and to combat tipping action in milling?

The best practice for ensuring even seating and combating tipping action in milling is to strike the workpiece softly with a dead blow hammer and test the parallels for movement. This method allows the operator to ensure that the workpiece is fully seated against the parallels in a way that maintains the integrity of the setup. The use of a dead blow hammer helps to gently drive the workpiece into position without damaging it while also minimizing the risk of introducing vibrations that may unsettle the setup.

Testing the parallels after striking the workpiece is crucial because it allows the operator to verify that both the workpiece and the parallels have made solid contact and are secure. This process helps to eliminate any potential rocking or tipping that might occur during milling operations, which could compromise precision and lead to issues with part quality.

Other methods, such as using gage pins or paper shims, might not provide the same level of assurance regarding an even seat. They could introduce variables that could affect the stability of the workpiece or the accuracy of the milling process. Similarly, overly tightening the vise with a leverage bar could create deformation in the workpiece or misalign it, which might also negatively impact the setup and the quality of the machining operation.