CNC Mill Service Recommendation

[Caleb]

I'm needing some machine work done but when I send some more basic designs to places like protolab, the prices they quote is quite high it seems. Anybody know a reasonable place to get some samples machined out?

 

[churchmouse]

One off pieces as you describe are always salty. Programing and set up for 1 or 2 pieces is time consuming and these places have overhead.

A lot depends on what you are trying to have made.

 

[Old Bear]

One off pieces as you describe are always salty. Programing and set up for 1 or 2 pieces is time consuming and these places have overhead.

A lot depends on what you are trying to have made.

Absolutely true. The actual machine run time (depending on the part), is usually pretty low compared to programming, tool set up and possible special fixturing. Most milled parts require a second or even third (unless your using a 5 axis machine) set up to complete the part. Protolab (or similar places) charge a lot or their one offs, but not they are usually not too far out of line for a prototype. IMHO

 

[Hatin Since 87]

One off pieces as you describe are always salty. Programing and set up for 1 or 2 pieces is time consuming and these places have overhead.

A lot depends on what you are trying to have made.

This.

Our shop is pretty expensive anyway since we’re an aircraft shop, but it’s usually cheaper to have more than 1 made. Fixturing, programming, and setting up is the biggest expense, if you run 1 part the entire job is basically setup.

 

[Hatin Since 87]

I'm needing some machine work done but when I send some more basic designs to places like protolab, the prices they quote is quite high it seems. Anybody know a reasonable place to get some samples machined out?

Your best bet is to either find a garage shop since there’s no overhead, or to find a cheap shop that has guys that’ll do it on their own time to save some $. Old shop I used to work at the owner did tractor pulls, so he was always staying after and machining engine blocks, pistons, etc. Had a guy bring in a dirt bike once and wanted something done to it, so he did it for less money than he makes an hour normally. He loves motor sports so anything with an engine he likes machining on. He had a guy bring in a gun once and he screwed it up and bought the guy a new gun to replace it, said he’d never do anything to a gun again because of safety reasons.

 

[ruger1800]

their are several websites that you can post your part on for shops to bid on.

 

[churchmouse]

Your best bet is to either find a garage shop since there’s no overhead, or to find a cheap shop that has guys that’ll do it on their own time to save some $. Old shop I used to work at the owner did tractor pulls, so he was always staying after and machining engine blocks, pistons, etc. Had a guy bring in a dirt bike once and wanted something done to it, so he did it for less money than he makes an hour normally. He loves motor sports so anything with an engine he likes machining on. He had a guy bring in a gun once and he screwed it up and bought the guy a new gun to replace it, said he’d never do anything to a gun again because of safety reasons.

I just sold my mill and all the tooling. Lots of tooling.

 

[Hatin Since 87]

I just sold my mill and all the tooling. Lots of tooling.

You had a lathe too didn’t you?

 

[Studio 417]

What kind of part, and what material?

 

[churchmouse]

You had a lathe too didn’t you?

I kept the lathe. I will use it more than the mill. I have "Associates" with mills if the need should ever again arise.

 

[chocktaw2]

It costs "x" amount of $$$ to design a product. If you make 10,000 of these, cost is spread out over all. One is gonna kill you.

 

[dprimm]

If it can be done on a mill and lathe I can get you in touch w a guy from work that does it at hone. Full CNC ... not after hours.