If it's not illegal, why won't the company allow you to do _company work_
on a company machine? If this is the case, you have idiots for managers.

Even though it's personal the managers don't want anyone to do any type
of _personal work_ (even if it may enhance the workers skills) in the
fear of showing that you the worker may acutally know what you are
actually doing and are possibly are the next in line for the managers
job. The managers are in a SERIOUS powerstruggle. IF you worked there
you'd understand!

Wait a minute - maybe it's NOT a company job we're talking about? Is it
a personal project you're trying to do on the company's equipment? If
so, I'll bet it IS illegal as far as company policy goes...
Yes, IT is a personal job project (in a UNION SHOP) and not a "company
job" that I am looking to complete, plus cnc would be faster and more
precise in the long run.
T