Sometimes A Single Job Cost More In Tooling Than Materials or Machine Time

Aug 24, 2026 Last reply: 2 hours ago 1 Replies

Sometimes a single job has significant tool costs. This is not the only tool bought just for this one job. This reamer will get used just one time for the job it was purchased for.  I have another tool coming for this same job that cost as much as this reamer did.  At least the other tool will get used 4 times before it is put away.



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The two halves of the mold this is going be used in only take 32 minutes each to machine. The insert that will go in after this sizes them takes about an hour. Look up the cost of an inch and a half spiral flute reamer for yourself.



Usually I get single use tools like this from Machine Shop Discount Supply (MSDS), but surprisingly MSC had the best price this time around.



You know, now that I think about it I might have gotten the wrong one. MSDS had one with an MT4 shank for a lot less. I could have done this on my lathe. I have an MT4 adapter sleeve for the spindle. I went with the straight shank chucking reamer thinking I would do it on the mill, but I'll have to hang the part off the side of the table to do it. I think it might actually be less setup on the lathe. Oh, well. I have it now.


I feel your pain . I bought a piece of delrin and a big chunk of aluminum to fabricate a nut for the X axis on my mill , then spent more for the piece of aluminum bronze that ended up being the solution to my problem . But that's OK , I'll end up using that stock on another project ... and you'll likely find another project that needs that reamer .

VB&G is open , shots of top shelf on me .

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