--- title: What Makes a Machined Part Expensive? | Wolf Machine Reno url: https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/what-makes-a-machined-part-expensive/ business: Wolf Machine & Fabrication, Inc. address: 4812 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502 phone: (775) 359-5570 hours: Shop Monday-Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm; closed Saturday and Sunday type: Metal and plastic fabrication and machining (custom and CNC machining, welding, metal and plastic fabrication, gearbox and part repair, align boring, metal spray) --- [Photo: Stock photo: rows of round steel parts after machining] - [Home](https://wolfmachinenv.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/) - What makes a machined part expensive? # What makes a machined part expensive? The cost of a machined part comes mostly from machine and operator time, which is driven by the material, the number of setups, how tight the tolerances are and how many parts you order. Reducing any of those usually lowers the cost. Stock photo: rows of round steel parts after machining Two parts that look alike can cost very differently. The difference is rarely in the size. It is in what the machinist has to do to get the part right. Here are the drivers, in plain words, and what you can do about each. ## The main cost drivers Each driver adds time at the machine or time spent checking the result. Looking at the print for these items before you send it is the quickest way to understand the estimate. - Material: hard or tough metals cut slowly, and some stock is costly to buy - Setups: every time the part is flipped and re-clamped, time and risk are added - Tolerances and finishes: tighter than the part needs takes more passes and more checking - Small or deep features: tiny cutters run slowly and break - Inspection: more measured features means more time at the gauge - Quantity: setup is shared across the batch, so one part carries all of it ## How to bring the cost down Put tight tolerances only on features that need them, and use a general tolerance for the rest. Allow standard corner radii instead of sharp inside corners. Choose a material that machines well if the job allows. Keep features on as few faces as the design permits. Ask the shop. A conversation about the part before the print is final often finds a change that costs nothing in function. The [drawing checklist](https://wolfmachinenv.com/guides/what-to-put-on-a-drawing/) and the entry on [tolerance](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/tolerance/) help you decide where precision belongs. ## Getting an estimate Wolf Machine gives a prompt estimate once it has seen the part or the print, and free consultations are available. Send a drawing, sample or photos through the [quote request](https://wolfmachinenv.com/request-a-quote/) or call [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570), Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. For one part versus a batch, see [production runs](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/production-runs/). ### Sources - [ASME Y14.5-2018, Dimensioning and Tolerancing](https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/find-codes-standards/y14-5-dimensioning-tolerancing) (2026-10-18) - [Protolabs help center: quoting and files](https://www.protolabs.com/help-center/quoting-platform) (2026-10-18) ### How to send us the job Start with whatever you have: the drawing, the old part, or clear photos and a few measurements. Attach files to the quote request or bring the piece to 4812 Longley Ln. [Request a quote](#quote) [What to put on a drawing](https://wolfmachinenv.com/guides/what-to-put-on-a-drawing/) ### Talk to the shop [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570) | Monday to Friday | 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Request a quote](#quote) ### Keep reading - [What to put on a drawing before you ask for a quote](https://wolfmachinenv.com/guides/what-to-put-on-a-drawing/) - [Tolerance](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/tolerance/) - [Production runs](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/production-runs/) - [Custom machining](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/custom-machining/) - [CNC milling](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/cnc-milling/) ### Terms on this page [Tolerance](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/tolerance/) [The full glossary](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/) ### More answers - [Quoting and estimates: every short answer](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/#quoting) ## Other questions people ask [What file types can I send with a quote request?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/what-file-types-can-i-send/) [I do not have a drawing. Can you still make the part?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/no-drawing-what-now/) [Can you machine titanium?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/can-you-machine-titanium/) [My machine is down. What should I do first?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/my-machine-is-down/) [Will you make just one part?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/will-you-make-just-one-part/) [Can you weld aluminum?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/can-you-weld-aluminum/) [Next question: What file types can I send with a quote request?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/what-file-types-can-i-send/) [Photo: Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying] ## Request a quote Tell us what you need, attach a drawing or photos of the part, and we will get back to you during shop hours. Free consultations; prompt estimates. [Call (775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570) - From your specifications, drawings or samples. We can also assist you in designing your product or part. - Free consultations and prompt estimates - Stands behind the work: Our rates are very competitive and our quality is second-to-none. Wolf Machine stands behind the work we perform. - Company accounts: all major credit cards, or we can open an account for your company Shop hours Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Send your request any time and we will get back to you during shop hours. Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying