Guides

Reference material on how machining cost actually gets built up, and how to evaluate quoting tools — including this one.

• How CNC machining cost is estimated — material, removal, finishing, setups, programming, margin, with a worked example.
• CNC quoting software: what it does and how to evaluate it — spreadsheets vs. instant quoting, what to look for.
• Paperless Parts alternatives for small job shops — spreadsheets, full ERP quoting modules, self-serve MRP tools, instant-quote marketplaces, and cncquoter, compared with sourced facts.
• How to quote CNC machining jobs — a repeatable RFQ-to-price process for job shops.
• CNC shop rate calculator — what to charge per hour, built from your own machine, labor, and overhead costs.
• CNC quote calculator — a quick, no-upload ballpark from stock dimensions and quantity.

Material reference

Machinability notes and default cost assumptions for the material presets built into cncquoter:

• Aluminum 6061
• Aluminum 7075
• Stainless 303/304
• Steel 1018
• Steel 4140
• Brass 360
• Delrin (Acetal)
• ABS
• Titanium Gr5 (6Al-4V)