The Real Value of a Shop That Asks the Right Questions

In the world of manufacturing, there’s a common myth:
“If the shop has the drawing, they’ll just make the part.”

But anyone who’s been burned by botched tolerances, missed finishes, or misunderstood intent knows the truth:
A great machine shop doesn’t just run your print they ask the right questions first.

At Mills Machine Works, this is one of our biggest strengths, and one of the most overlooked by new buyers. Here’s why asking questions is what makes our parts right the first time.

Thinking Beyond the Print

Your drawing might look complete. But we’ve learned that some of the most important details don’t always live in the CAD file.

That’s why we ask:

• “Is this a critical-to-function surface?”

• “Can this edge be broken or does it need to stay sharp?”

• “What’s the application? Could another material or finish make more sense?”

• “Is there a mating part we should be aware of?”

• “Would you like us to flag potential tolerance stack-ups?”

These aren’t stall tactics.
These are precision checkpoints.
Because every part we make represents your reputation and ours.

Asking First = Saving Later

Too many buyers have learned the hard way that the lowest quote can come with the highest risk:

• Parts that fail in assembly

• Jobs delayed by rework

• Costly last-minute changes that could’ve been caught early

At Mills, we prevent that by being more than just a vendor. We act like an extension of your team. And we’ve seen again and again that:

A 2-minute question now

Saves 2 weeks of headaches later.

A Real Example

We recently received a part file with sharp internal corners, difficult to machine cleanly at spec. Before quoting, we asked the engineer,
“Are those corners functional, or can we radius them slightly?”

Turns out, it was just a holdover from the 3D model. That single question saved the customer a more expensive setup, and helped us deliver faster.

Final Thought

If your machine shop is quiet, that might seem like a good thing…
But silence can be expensive.

A shop that asks smart questions is a shop that’s invested in your success.
That’s who we are. And that’s why our customers keep coming back.

👉 Send us your next print. We’ll ask the questions others won’t—so you don’t pay the price later.