Abstract: In a method of machining a first and a second surface recess in a workpiece, the workpiece has a longitudinal axis and a first local Cartesian coordinate system. The machine tool has a longitudinal axis and a second local Cartesian coordinate system, the first and second surface recess are associated with a first and second recess longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-section. The recesses are separated on the surface of the workpiece such that they are mirror images of each other about a plane along the longitudinal workpiece axis. A skew angle is defined between the first recess longitudinal axis and the workpiece axis in the first plane.