[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by rally

Stainless comes in many different grades - some is high tensile and very difficult to machine and some is just plain horrible.

I feel your pain and agree to a point. If the material looks dodgy, I'd just recommend that shop supply a more suitable substitute or turn down the job... However, there are many tests that are performed on any metal prior to machining, most are very quick and the ultimate test is the "mill" test (the other's being a scratch, drop and UT). I would argue that the probability of attaining from a client a specific type of metal that is out of the bounds used in normal construction is so low that specific alloy testing is not required.

Originally Posted by rally

As far as Setup "being practically non existent" goes, I would have to question that statements validity.
What assumption did you use on the design to come to that conclusion ?

Probably a poor choice of words... apologies. As for my conclusion...
1) My father's, who's either machined or used machine shops since 1940 and constantly reminds me that we engineers need to stop "engineering ad infinitum" and get to actually doing something... (I'm hearing his voice right now as I type... . 85 years old and still sound like the same broken record...)
2) Myself, who has a great shop in my garage in Missouri. We both tinker here and there on small parts and use our local (Colorado) shop for large items (We have a small Oil & Gas interest in the US).

Originally Posted by rally

Maybe you could explain the steps and tools involved by feature to show that practically no setup is required.

Everyone knows that this is completely dependent on the end product. The setup I was referring to was to be able to complete what Trevor wanted in the way of an end product. If you want to make a watch, I would argue that the $350 is too light.

I've eliminated your rather lengthy recipe, as the method is suited for a small machine shop rather than a large one with multiple sets of equipment setup to perform multiple tasks without change-outs, which, for obvious reasons, can escalate costs to an unreasonable level. I do however concur with your lengthy version, as this would be more like what I would have to do if I were doing it myself, as my shop is rather small and the amount of equipment I have is limited (times like this I wish I had a photo to share... ).

As for what Trevor wanted done, I don't see what the fuss is all about. Simple tap and end piece. Trevor stated is could be made from aluminum. Thus, ???? Do you see it differently? and honestly, is it really so complicated that it justifies the A$350 price tag?

Originally Posted by rally

better use him while he is still in business.

The machine shop I have quoted from has been in business since 1945 (Family owned and operated). Based in Colorado, USA. I really don't think they'll be going anywhere, anytime soon. They seem to be surviving just fine over the course of the GFC.


It should be noted that the hourly rates for the USA is lower than here. There is an argument that this is bad, but in reality it is not. It allows consumers to get goods and services at a more reasonable price. As for the lower hourly wages, most Australians are surprised by the fact that the take home pay (post-tax) is actually greater than an equivalent job here in Australia. My father for example pays our welder U$15/hr (Jnr grade). He takes home 89% of that post-tax. We contract out heavy welding jobs at $U25/hr. Cost of everything is much lower than here, so the equivalent "purchasing power" is much greater there than here.

Thanks for the great response Rally. Truly appreciate the conversation. As for future rebuttal's, I'm over it... my rage is dying down now that we are so so close to Christmas. Now if we could only get some snow

Happy Holidays, play safe, party safe, be safe.
OIC!