[sdiy] Is it me or...

[Tony Clark]

On Sat, 24 Jul 2004, Peter Grenader wrote:

> I was just quoted $500 from a machine shop to cut a single piece of 1/8 inch
> steel about 5 x 3.5 inches and drill 24 holes in it. OK, there are four
> drill sizes involved, but..
> 
> GIVE ME A #*)#(*#()*@*&? BREAK!
> 
> Is this what these guys are making nowdays?  I mean, is this normal?

   Peter,

   It greatly depends on the process, but it can certainly cost that 
much.  Usually there's a setup charge which is pretty substantial, 
usually in the $250-300 range, then there is material charge (steel 
recently just DOUBLED in price), then per piece price.  Some shops will 
include the material cost in the per piece price, but others may not.
   Also, if you are having the parts done by a CNC drilling machine, it 
may cost more than if it was punched.  Automated punching machines really 
knock out the pieces quickly without many tooling changes, so parts made 
by that method are usually cheaper than others.

   Good luck with your part.  Shop around, but I think you'll still find 
that the initial price will be a little steep, regardless.  Hard to 
justify for one-offs, but if you're going to do any type of production, 
the time savings alone will be worth the cost.

   Cheers,

   Tony

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