QuotedPartAnswers · Updated 2026-10-30
How much does a machine shop charge to make a part?
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A single simple machined part usually costs a few hundred dollars, and the price per part falls quickly with quantity because most of the cost is setup. Three example parts priced by our pricing engine at US starting rates: a 4 × 2 × 0.5 in aluminum bracket is $320.26 for one and $35.27 each for 25; a stepped steel shaft is $248.61 for one and $18.10 each for 25; a powder-coated sheet metal bracket is $398.22 for one and $20.07 each for 25. Your part and your shop will differ; the page explains why.
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Three example parts, one to twenty-five pieces
Each price is a selling price with a 30% markup, using the US starting hourly rates our estimating engine ships with ($95 an hour on a 3-axis mill, $90 on a lathe, $175 on a fiber laser). Real shops set their own rates, so use these to see the shape of the price, not to predict a quote.
| Part | 1 piece | 5 pieces (each) | 25 pieces (each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061 bracket, 4 × 2 × 0.5 in, six holes, two tapped | $320.26 | $80.59 | $35.27 |
| Free-machining steel stepped shaft, 3.5 in long, one groove | $248.61 | $55.58 | $18.10 |
| 14 gauge steel L-bracket, one bend, four holes, powder coated | $398.22 | $83.10 | $20.07 |
Why one piece costs so much more than twenty-five
Before a machine cuts the first chip, someone has to program it, clamp the stock, load the tools and check the first part. For the aluminum bracket that setup and programming is about $217.88, and it is the same whether you order one part or a hundred. The powder-coated bracket shows it more sharply: the coater charges a minimum lot fee, so a single piece carries it alone and 25 pieces split it.
After setup, the material, the machine minutes and the finishing are what scale with quantity. That's why a quote for 25 is worth asking for even if you only need 5 now: you'll see what the next batch will cost, and the 25-piece price may be only slightly more per order.
What changes the price most
The factors in rough order of effect for a buyer:
- Tolerances. A general ±0.005 in is routine; tighter takes slower cuts, more inspection and sometimes a grinder.
- Material. Stainless steel, titanium and nickel alloys cut slower and cost more per pound than aluminum or mild steel.
- Finish. Anodize, plating and powder coat are done by outside companies with their own minimums, so they hit one-offs hard.
- Features. Deep pockets, thin walls, many tapped holes and holes on several faces add setups and programming.
- Paperwork. Material certs, a first article report or a certificate of conformance take inspector time.
- Lead time. Rush jobs displace other work and cost more.
How to ask for a quote that comes back right
Send a 3D model (STEP) and a PDF drawing with the dimensions, tolerances and finish. Say the material and grade you want, the quantity (and a second quantity you might order later), when you need it, and what paperwork you need. If you only have a sketch, say so and ask what the shop needs.
If a shop's price is much lower or higher than the others, ask what's included. A price that omits the finish, certs or inspection is cheaper because it's a different order, not because the shop is better. Prices like these are a starting point: ask the shop to confirm in writing what they assumed.
Example parts
- • Bracket: 4 × 2 × 0.5 in 6061-T6, two setups, six holes (two 1/4-20 tapped), no finish.
- • Shaft: 12L14 steel, 3.5 in × 1.0 in and 0.75 in diameters, one groove, ±0.002 in.
- • Sheet bracket: 14 gauge cold-rolled steel, laser cut, one 90° bend, four holes, black powder coat (finisher lot charge included).
- • Rates: US starting catalog; 30% markup.
| Part | 1 piece | 5 pieces | 25 pieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum bracket | $320.26 | $402.95 | $881.75 |
| Steel shaft | $248.61 | $277.90 | $452.50 |
| Sheet bracket | $398.22 | $415.50 | $501.75 |
Sources and limits
Claims are dated where they can change. Product calculations are examples from the stated inputs, not a promise about a customer's quote. Competitor wording is attributed to the source shown.
- All prices are from QuotedPart's pricing engine using the US starting catalog (2026 example rates, 30% markup, no tax or freight). They are examples, not a market average or an offer.
Questions
What is a shop's hourly rate?
It varies by shop and by machine. The examples above use $95 an hour for a 3-axis mill. A shop's rate has to cover the machine, the operator, the building and the profit; see the shop-rate guide for how it is built up.
Is a quote the same as a final price?
A quote is good for the stated quantity, material and lead time. If the drawing changes or the quantity moves, so does the price.
Price one of your own parts
Drop a PDF drawing or a STEP file. QuotedPart reads the print, measures the model and prices it in seconds, on default shop rates you can change.
Your STEP file or PDF drawingDrop a PDF drawing, a STEP file or both
Free. No account, no email. Priced at our default US rates until you set yours.
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