Although I'm in the foundry business, I get some requests for quote for finished machined castings. I send the drawings to several local machine shops for quotes. When I get my quotes back, sometimes I'm shocked by the cost!
Can any of you job shop guys give me some details or insight on quoting machining? I realize there are many variables that have to be accounted for: run size, physical size of the casting, tolerances, # of operations, amount of stock removal, fixturing costs.
I know quoting can be an involved process, you can't believe the calls I get from prospective buyers asking how much per pound we charge for a casting! There's a lot more than material weight in the price of a casting.
I'm trying to make myself a slightly more educated buyer when it comes to machining!
TIA, Mike Malone