A base unit for actuating a bone mill used to convert bone stock into bone chips is presented. Said base unit includes a surface shaped to releasably receive a bone mill housing on which the bone mill housing is seated, a motor, and a drive spindle attached to said motor to be rotated by said motor, said drive spindle being located adjacent said surface on which the bone mill housing is seated and having at least one drive member shaped to releasably engage a cutting device internal to the bone mill housing so that rotation of said drive spindle results in actuation of a cutting device internal to the bone mill that results in the conversion of bone stock to bone chips within the bone mill housing. Said drive spindle is further attached to said motor to move longitudinally relative to said motor. A biasing member abuts said drive spindle to normally urge said drive spindle away from said surface on which the bone mill housing is seated so that said drive spindle and said biasing member cooperate to normally hold the bone mill housing away from said surface. An assembly is attached to at least one of said base unit or bone mill housing for releasably holding the bone mill housing against said surface.
