CNC cost

[dfkrug]

I use a pretty simple formula.

1. The drawing software that I use tells me the linear inches cut on each part.

The shop I bought most of my CNC-cut steel from had a formula based
on the volume and shape of the piece you wanted cut. I first found them
on eBay, but they are no longer there.

I found it very reasonable to have my 1/2" plate cut and shipped from
LA to where I am in N CA. I tried to get one of the local shops I deal
with do it, but they were way way more money, even without shipping.

It seems to me that if a shop has idle time on an expensive CNC table, and
a customer submits a DXF file, they should be very reasonable. It was
so inexpensive, I can't begin to justify the cost of a hobbiest-type CNC
plasma setup (though I already have the plasma cutter).

 

[mjncad]

I recently got an e-newsletter from Lincoln Electric saying they bought TorchMate.

 

[jimcolt]

As an example for pricing using my formula:

Lets say you needed a 12" x 12" piece of 3/8" steel with 4, 1/2" diameter holes. I would cut this part on one of my cnc machines at 65 amps with my plasma system......and the part would sell for $29.68, and could ship anywhere in the country (flat rate, USPS) for around $10.

That should be a relatively comparable price for plasma cut steel parts. You can expect 1/2" bolts to fit well through the holes, and tolerances on the part would be within about .020".


Jim Colt

The shop I bought most of my CNC-cut steel from had a formula based
on the volume and shape of the piece you wanted cut. I first found them
on eBay, but they are no longer there.

I found it very reasonable to have my 1/2" plate cut and shipped from
LA to where I am in N CA. I tried to get one of the local shops I deal
with do it, but they were way way more money, even without shipping.

It seems to me that if a shop has idle time on an expensive CNC table, and
a customer submits a DXF file, they should be very reasonable. It was
so inexpensive, I can't begin to justify the cost of a hobbiest-type CNC
plasma setup (though I already have the plasma cutter).