QuotedPartCost guides · Updated 2026-10-30
How much does a machined valve body cost?
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At ten bodies, this example is $173.85 each in 316 and $178.28 in 360 brass. Both include three machining setups, cross-passage cleaning and explicit test-budget allowances. These are unfinished design scenarios: neither the material choice nor the entered test cost establishes a safe pressure rating or an approved valve assembly.
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Three approach directions make a different job from a block
The envelope is 3 × 2 × 1.5 inches, starting from 1.75-inch plate stock. One 0.750-inch bore enters from the top to one-inch depth. A 0.375-inch side passage reaches one inch and a matching end passage reaches 1.5 inches. The dimension schedule aligns those passages to intersect. General tolerance is ±0.005 inch; a production drawing must define seats, threads and functional datums.
We explicitly require three setups. The generated milling route accounts for the hole directions and depths, then adds twenty setup minutes and six minutes per body at $95/hour for port threading and seat work. Those times are estimator inputs. They are not evidence that a particular valve cartridge, seal land or proprietary port has been modeled.
| Material | Qty | Setup min/lot | Run min/part at qty | Stock | Setup | Machine/labor | Outside | Markup + floor | Sell/part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | 1 | 242.5 | 35.80 | $122.10 | $355.13 | $50.66 | $150.00 | $203.37 | $881.26 |
| 316 | 10 | 242.5 | 35.80 | $32.55 | $35.51 | $50.67 | $15.00 | $40.12 | $173.85 |
| 316 | 100 | 242.5 | 35.80 | $22.88 | $3.55 | $50.66 | $1.50 | $23.58 | $102.17 |
| 360 brass | 1 | 242.5 | 24.20 | $211.89 | $355.13 | $32.29 | $150.00 | $224.79 | $974.10 |
| 360 brass | 10 | 242.5 | 24.20 | $54.33 | $35.51 | $32.30 | $15.00 | $41.14 | $178.28 |
| 360 brass | 100 | 242.5 | 24.20 | $23.31 | $3.55 | $32.29 | $1.50 | $18.20 | $78.85 |
Intersection burrs and testing need their own money
Cleaning the intersecting passages adds fifteen setup minutes and four minutes per body at the $55/hour bench center. Inspecting only the external dimensions would miss this work. The allowance includes no specified particle limit, verified cleaning process or inspection instrument; obtain the customer's actual cleanliness requirement before release.
The test budget adds thirty inspection setup minutes, five minutes per body at $75/hour and $150 per lot for test preparation. This is an entered planning amount, not a supplier test quotation. Test pressure, medium, duration, leakage limit, instrumentation and personnel requirements remain unresolved. Replace the budget with an approved procedure and actual costs before offering an accepted pressure-tested deliverable.
| Operation | Rate/h | Setup min/lot | Run min/part | Other lot | Other/part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAM programming, 9 toolpaths | $95.00 | 66 | 0 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Mill, 3 setups | $95.00 | 90 | 16.4 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Handling and tool changes, 4 lb stock | $95.00 | 0 | 1.5 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Deburr | $55.00 | 5 | 2.2 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Inspect | $75.00 | 16.5 | 0.7 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Port threading and seat allowance | $95.00 | 20 | 6 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Clean intersecting passages | $55.00 | 15 | 4 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Pressure-test planning and execution allowance | $75.00 | 30 | 5 | $150.00 | $0.00 |
Choose the material for service, then compare its route
The catalog uses 316 stock at $8.99/lb small lot and $6.25 volume, with density 8.0 and machining factor 0.28. Brass 360 uses $14.70 and $6.00, density 8.49 and factor 1.3. Brass has the lower running cost, but its stock keeps the ten-piece order slightly above 316; at 100 pieces the brass total becomes lower. They are illustrative values, not current distributor offers.
The comparison does not authorize brass for potable water, corrosive fluids or another controlled application. It does not include plating or stainless passivation. Both materials need design approval for the actual service, and a change of grade may require changing the geometry or acceptance plan rather than merely selecting another cost row.
Prices include 30% markup, a $65 line floor and the model's quantity effects. They exclude valve internals, seals, plugs, assembly, released test documentation, special packaging, taxes and freight. A buyer should compare the same delivered state across suppliers. Use the companion manifold guide for a drilled block without a valve-specific test budget, instead of silently dropping these lines to match its lower scope.
Valve-body estimating scope
- • 3 ×2 ×1.5 in body, 1.75 in raw; topØ0.75 depth1, sideØ0.375 depth1, endØ0.375 depth1.5; three setups, ±0.005 in; qty1/10/100.
- • VMC/CAM95, bench55, inspection75 USD/h. Port work20+6 min, cleaning15+4 min, test30+5 min plus$150/lot; setup then run. Additional allowances are hypothetical.
- • 316 and360 brass catalog inputs stated in prose; 30% markup, $65 floor, no rules; stock/learning active. No pressure rating, approved test protocol, internals, seals, certs, finish, tax or freight.
| Material | Qty | Setup min/lot | Run min/part at qty | Stock | Setup | Machine/labor | Outside | Markup + floor | Sell/part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | 1 | 242.5 | 35.80 | $122.10 | $355.13 | $50.66 | $150.00 | $203.37 | $881.26 |
| 316 | 10 | 242.5 | 35.80 | $32.55 | $35.51 | $50.67 | $15.00 | $40.12 | $173.85 |
| 316 | 100 | 242.5 | 35.80 | $22.88 | $3.55 | $50.66 | $1.50 | $23.58 | $102.17 |
| 360 brass | 1 | 242.5 | 24.20 | $211.89 | $355.13 | $32.29 | $150.00 | $224.79 | $974.10 |
| 360 brass | 10 | 242.5 | 24.20 | $54.33 | $35.51 | $32.30 | $15.00 | $41.14 | $178.28 |
| 360 brass | 100 | 242.5 | 24.20 | $23.31 | $3.55 | $32.29 | $1.50 | $18.20 | $78.85 |
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