QuotedPartCost guides · Updated 2026-10-30
How much does a custom machined shaft cost?
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The six-inch 4140 drive shaft in this example sells for $753.90 at one, $127.36 each at ten and $40.61 each at 100. A keyway, external thread, heat-treatment lot and ground diameters make it more than a simple lathe part. The routing and outside charges are visible below.
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Define the bearing journals and stock
The shaft starts from 1.625-inch round bar. Its finished length is six inches: four inches at 1.50-inch diameter and two inches at 1.25-inch diameter. A 2 × 0.25 × 0.125-inch keyway sits on the larger diameter. The example also includes a 1.25-12 external thread on the smaller end, represented by ten setup minutes and 1.5 running minutes at the lathe.
The diameter callout is ±0.0005 inch with an explicit post-heat-treat grind requirement. That is intentionally a demanding shaft example. A plain spacer or a loose-tolerance shaft should not inherit its grinder and heat-treatment charges. The downloaded schedule lists the fictional geometry and makes clear that thread length and functional fits need a production drawing.
| Qty | Setup min/lot | Run min/part at qty | Stock | Setup | Machine/labor | Outside | Markup + floor | Sell/part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 203.8 | 12.20 | $54.97 | $306.74 | $18.21 | $200.00 | $173.98 | $753.90 |
| 10 | 203.8 | 12.20 | $29.09 | $30.67 | $18.21 | $20.00 | $29.39 | $127.36 |
| 100 | 203.8 | 12.20 | $7.38 | $3.07 | $18.19 | $2.60 | $9.37 | $40.61 |
Price the machines in their actual order
The lathe generates the stepped form. The keyway adds a secondary mill setup. The grinding callout generates a cylindrical-grinder operation. CAM and turning are valued at $95 and $90 per hour respectively, keyway milling at $95/hour, grinding at $95/hour, bench work at $55/hour and inspection at $75/hour. Setup is once per lot; run minutes receive the engine's quantity adjustment.
Although costs add independently, the physical order still matters. Leave appropriate grind allowance before heat treat and schedule grinding afterward. Check whether the heat treater accepts the incoming material condition assumed by the shop. The catalog's 4140 price is an editable stock assumption; it does not establish the correct starting condition for the specified final hardness.
| Operation | Rate/h | Setup min/lot | Run min/part | Other lot | Other/part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAM programming | $95.00 | 17.5 | 0 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Turn, 2 ops | $90.00 | 81.3 | 4.4 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Mill secondary, 1 feature | $95.00 | 45 | 3 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| OD grind | $95.00 | 30 | 2.1 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Deburr | $55.00 | 5 | 0.7 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Inspect | $75.00 | 15 | 0.5 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| External thread and gauge allowance | $90.00 | 10 | 1.5 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
What separates this from a cheap stock shaft
The quench-and-temper allowance uses a $200 minimum versus a $4 size-scaled piece rate. It receives the same 30% markup as the other lines. That models outside cost but does not include a hardness certificate, straightening, crack testing or transport. Specify final hardness and acceptable distortion before placing the order.
Runout between journals, keyway position and thread class can require more inspection than the general dimensional note suggests. A long slender shaft also introduces different support and straightening issues than this compact six-inch part. Quote the actual datum scheme rather than adding a generic 'precision shaft' premium.
At one piece, several setups and the outside minimum dominate. At 100 pieces, tool life, cycle and inspection frequency matter more. On a repeat, reuse the program and workholding where appropriate, but retain a first-article check of the ground journals. A buyer comparing with catalog shafting should be shown which custom features and treatments they are purchasing.
Shaft assumptions
- • 6 in length; Ø1.5 ×4 and Ø1.25 ×2; Ø1.625 stock; keyway 2 ×0.25 ×0.125 in; ±0.0005 in, explicit OD grind.
- • 4140 $8.42/lb small lot, $2.10/lb volume input. Thread allowance 10 setup +1.5 min/part; generated turning, secondary mill and grind as listed.
- • Heat treat minimum $200 versus scaled $4/part; 30% markup; $65 line floor, no markup rules. No hardness test, straightening, cert, tax or freight.
| Qty | Setup min/lot | Run min/part at qty | Stock | Setup | Machine/labor | Outside | Markup + floor | Sell/part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 203.8 | 12.20 | $54.97 | $306.74 | $18.21 | $200.00 | $173.98 | $753.90 |
| 10 | 203.8 | 12.20 | $29.09 | $30.67 | $18.21 | $20.00 | $29.39 | $127.36 |
| 100 | 203.8 | 12.20 | $7.38 | $3.07 | $18.19 | $2.60 | $9.37 | $40.61 |
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