Tramway Guy
Well-known Member
I am looking to have some die casting made for a large aluminum part (18" diameter and 5.5 lbs each). The part has been made previously, but the tooling is long gone and so is the company that made it. I have found a couple of companies that can do it. One wants to use tooling from China, but parts in USA; originally estimated $22500 for tooling and $17 per piece, based on 500 parts(about an 8-year supply. That one was pretty reasonable, so I asked for a firm quote and payment schedule. The quote came back at $86,000 for tooling, but the same $17 price for parts!
Now I have another company (in Indiana) who would quote whole shebang made in China, $18,000 for tooling and $27 per part. That is certainly within my budget, but I am a little hesitant to buy parts from China, but there are few if any domestic producers that will bother with small runs like this of large parts. I have been looking for a couple months.
Does anyone here have any experience with die castings made in China? Good or bad?
The part is not for tractor-related goods, in case you are wondering.
Now I have another company (in Indiana) who would quote whole shebang made in China, $18,000 for tooling and $27 per part. That is certainly within my budget, but I am a little hesitant to buy parts from China, but there are few if any domestic producers that will bother with small runs like this of large parts. I have been looking for a couple months.
Does anyone here have any experience with die castings made in China? Good or bad?
The part is not for tractor-related goods, in case you are wondering.