Need a handful of machined parts, not a thousand? Small CNC runs are where setup cost matters most. Here's what drives the price, what to send, and how to keep a one-off machined part affordable.
We have access to CNC machines for customer orders. Send your drawing for a quote.
Common materials
- Aluminum 6061: the default. Light, strong, machines fast, takes anodizing.
- Stainless steel 304/316: corrosion resistant, good for marine and food areas, slower to cut.
- Mild steel: strong and inexpensive, needs a coating to prevent rust.
- Brass: machines beautifully, good for fittings and decorative parts.
- Acetal (Delrin): slippery, stable plastic for bushings, gears and wear parts.
What sets the price
- Setup. Programming the toolpaths and holding the part. This is mostly a one-time cost, so it dominates small runs.
- Machine time. More material removed and more features means more time.
- Number of setups. Every time the part is flipped or re-clamped adds cost.
- Tolerances. Only call out tight tolerances where they matter. ±0.005 in is standard; tighter costs more.
- Material. Stainless and steel cut slower than aluminum.
How to keep it affordable
- Design inside corners with a radius. Square inside corners need special tooling.
- Avoid deep narrow pockets.
- Keep features on as few faces as possible.
- Ask whether a 3D printed part would do the job. For many brackets, covers and fixtures it does, at a fraction of the price. See CNC vs 3D printing.
What to send
- A STEP file, plus a PDF drawing with tolerances, threads and finish called out.
- Material and quantity.
- Your deadline. Lead time is quoted per job.
OnePiecePrints is based in Olalla, Washington. We'll also tell you if part of your assembly is better printed than machined. Request a CNC quote