Mail Order Parts Cutting

ddawg16 · Feb 9, 2020

I just came across this site. It's pretty cool.

SendCutSend.com

If you need flat pieces laser cut....and don't have the equipment....this is the way to go.

Send them a DWG file.
Specify the material
Specify the thickness

They give you the price online.

Order it....you get it in about 3 days or so by mail.

If you can't make a dwg file....well...I guess you're f'd

The Cobbler · Feb 9, 2020

that's great !

slowtwitch73 · Feb 9, 2020

There'a a few places like that. Bigbluesaw (water jet) and emachineshop (all manner of operations) come to mind. Emachineshop's free software is pretty handy.. I have actually used it for other than ordering from them.

kazlx · Feb 10, 2020

I follow these guys on IG. Looks like quality parts. They are just doing sheer volume.

brianh · Feb 10, 2020

They do other vector file formats, DXF, AI and EPS. I use DXF almost exclusively with CNC machines for 2d parts, almost all basic CAD systems export it, there is even a plugin for sketchup for DXF.

Bigblue&Goldie · Feb 10, 2020

I've used Sendcutsend.com numerous times. They are great for those of us that are doing 1 off, small projects that don't make economical sense to most job shops. I've had nothing but excellent service and output from them. Honestly, they've changed the way I fabricate stuff. I can have them supply, cut, and ship material for less than what I can buy the raw materials for in small quantities. I can do all of my design work on the couch (I use Fusion 360) and have my parts show up ready to be welded together.

bradpac · Feb 10, 2020

Along this note, lets say I have a one time order for say 5000 pieces of ~3 x 6 x 24 gauge cut and possibly bent on one edge. I'm guessing one of these companies wouldn't be the go to for that many pieces?

slowtwitch73 · Feb 10, 2020

I don't see why not. Emachineshop would.. they are just a clearinghouse.. they farm it out to participating fab shops.

Ipassgas · Feb 10, 2020

The internet changes the world, yet again!

Muckin_Slusher · Feb 10, 2020

Any of those places do Canada?

sendcutsend doesn't specify.

ddawg16 · Feb 11, 2020

Muckin_Slusher said:
Any of those places do Canada?

sendcutsend doesn't specify.

Call and ask. It they don't, they might know someone who does.

Fueler · Feb 11, 2020

Where are these guys located?
While they have been recommended here I find no phone or address listed.

I always find that a bit suspect.

cvairwerks · Feb 11, 2020

Looks like they are a west coast job shop and machine time broker.

aka Larry · Feb 11, 2020

Do you have any examples and prices of work they have done for you John?

I have a few small pieces I'd like to have done as well.

FYI, for any member who can't produce a .dwg file, send me a 2D sketch with all the dimensions and I can likely help you out.

TS3g · Feb 11, 2020

They have a great business model going. Instant quoting, large selection of materials, and quick turnaround. Price is a premium it appears though.

A local shop worth a darn will do the same thing for most likely much much cheaper. I live in middle of nowhere Kansas and have utilized three different fab shops within a hour of me to laser cut parts and the process was the same for all of them. Send them a dxf and material spec, get a quote back, pick up parts within a week. I know not everyone has a shop nearby, but you'd probably be surprised if you looked around.

PelicanPines · Feb 11, 2020

Metal labels !!! Utt ohhh.

Bigblue&Goldie · Feb 11, 2020

Fueler said:
Where are these guys located?
While they have been recommended here I find no phone or address listed.

I always find that a bit suspect.

Reno, NV

I have ordered stuff 6 or 7 times from them and never had the slightest issue.

ddawg16 · Feb 11, 2020

aka Larry said:
Do you have any examples and prices of work they have done for you John?

I have a few small pieces I'd like to have done as well.

FYI, for any member who can't produce a .dwg file, send me a 2D sketch with all the dimensions and I can likely help you out.

Bigblue&Goldie said:
Reno, NV

I have ordered stuff 6 or 7 times from them and never had the slightest issue.

I have not used them 'yet'....about to though.

I guess Bigblue answered part of your question.

Based on prices I've had for local stuff being done....their online prices seem really good.

One of the big factors.....my time. What is my time worth having to drive to a machine shop to order something....and then a few days later go pick it up?

Yeah....I think they have a good business model. If they maintain the quality, it should do well.

The local guys might be able to compete by doing something similar....but their bread and butter will most likely be the complicated machine work

aka Larry · Feb 11, 2020

We have a local fab shop that will do one-off type laser work, but it's not their bread and butter. That means I would incur a minimum shop charge of $90, and have to wait in line, so this sounds like a promising alternative.

philb86 · Feb 13, 2020

I've done some work for guys looking for a lot of one off pieces, although I don't have a laser or water jet, they were ok with CNC plasma cut parts. Alot have questioned the prices I have given based off of other quotes from larger companies they have asked. I tell them all the same, I have a small business and no over head, its just me in the evenings and weekends doing this.

aka Larry · Feb 13, 2020

Just placed my first order. I designed a 50's style automotive badge for my Cooler Kart Project. Below is what I came up with. Note, the tabs at the bottom are for mounting and will be bent 90 degrees before installation. I added a pair of small notches to make sure I bend the tabs at the correct spot.

Price wasn't too bad I guess for a one-off part. It's approx. 18" long made from .125" brushed stainless. $29.00 which includes free shipping.

Bigblue&Goldie · Feb 13, 2020

aka Larry said:
Just placed my first order. I designed a 50's style automotive badge for my Cooler Kart Project. Below is what I came up with. Note, the tabs at the bottom are for mounting and will be bent 90 degrees before installation. I added a pair of small notches to make sure I bend the tabs at the correct spot.

Price wasn't too bad I guess for a one-off part. It's approx. 18" long made from .125" brushed stainless. $29.00 which includes free shipping.

Looks good; What program did you use to design this?

This is a perfect example of why I use sendcutsend.com. if I was to buy the smallest piece of stainless at my usual supply house it would literally cost more than what they charge for material, cutting, and delivery. For larger quantities I'd look for a more volume oriented shop.

aka Larry · Feb 13, 2020

Bigblue&Goldie said:
Looks good; What program did you use to design this?

I used Autocad to do the design.

Kevin54 · Feb 14, 2020

aka Larry said:
Just placed my first order. I designed a 50's style automotive badge for my Cooler Kart Project. Below is what I came up with. Note, the tabs at the bottom are for mounting and will be bent 90 degrees before installation. I added a pair of small notches to make sure I bend the tabs at the correct spot.

Price wasn't too bad I guess for a one-off part. It's approx. 18" long made from .125" brushed stainless. $29.00 which includes free shipping.

$29.00 sounds pretty cheap compared to what a lot of others would charge, and stainless to boot. I've got to keep this place in mind. :thumbup:

ddawg16 · Feb 14, 2020

Yea.....that is cheap for SS

Just consider what your time is worth............

aka Larry · Feb 18, 2020

aka Larry said:
Just placed my first order.

I just received the tracking info, and my order should be here tomorrow. That's just six days from the custom order being placed to having it in my hands, and I'm on the east coast.

So far, what's not to like?

aka Larry · Feb 20, 2020

For anyone still following this thread, I received my part yesterday, and it looks fantastic. It came in a sturdy box, shrink-wrapped to a piece of card stock.

I'll definitely be ordering from these guys again.

Bigblockyeti · Feb 20, 2020

That looks fantastic! My stainless no name tool chest from Costco 15 years ago is about to become a MAC after I place an order with them!

slowtwitch73 · Feb 20, 2020

Hell yeah..

aka Larry · Feb 20, 2020

BTW, I had a member contact me about helping him by producing a .dwg file for him so he too could get some parts cut by these guys. My offer still stands for anyone here who has a drawing/sketch with all their dimensions.

ddawg16 · Feb 20, 2020

aka Larry said:
For anyone still following this thread, I received my part yesterday, and it looks fantastic. It came in a sturdy box, shrink-wrapped to a piece of card stock.

I'll definitely be ordering from these guys again.

What did they charge you?

And that looks great

aka Larry · Feb 20, 2020

ddawg16 said:
What did they charge you?

See post #21

ddawg16 · Feb 20, 2020

aka Larry said:
See post #21

Doh.............very fair price

Growlertdi · Feb 21, 2020

Awesome.

aka Larry · May 28, 2020

Another update on SendCutSend.com from me.

In short, I love these guys. Great prices, fast shipping, and good communication.

I'm helping a friend convert an old ambulance to an expedition/camping rig. We have ordered several items from SCS that have been perfect and arrived on time. The first was a set of plates and flange that I used to make this recessed box, which will be used to replace the old warning lights and house some new LED outdoor lighting:

https://scontent-lga3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/97080614_2710807799047665_8913963486204133376_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=9e2e56&_nc_ohc=NymM5yz-jUYAX9mjEJK&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.**&oh=88bc343aef6233469080749d2a577b4f&oe=5EE1219D

https://scontent-lga3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/96515927_2710807942380984_8627753990949437440_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=9e2e56&_nc_ohc=f1H5TcLzi3kAX8pEgsm&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.**&oh=fc90830cee61b0e0802d66c346d83744&oe=5EE21C19

https://scontent-lga3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/96854027_2710807879047657_5096541869995720704_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=9e2e56&_nc_ohc=_2gQJXFlXM0AX8DLoEq&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.**&oh=09406e292a2c3ad1332f5d61ec049d5a&oe=5EE1EBE3

I didn't take a pic before assembly, but I used a finger joint design to interlock all the ides of the box and they fit together perfectly!

We also ordered a set of flanges and backing plates as part of a design to support a roof rack. Here's the way those arrived from SCS:

https://scontent-iad3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p960x960/98191274_2731107237017721_5233196150122610688_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=9e2e56&_nc_ohc=DcAAZlgFbGQAX91Wem8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.**&_nc_tp=6&oh=8fb645bf9fd6e274e4cfb4e6c94eec09&oe=5EE96451

I had this sign made by SCS for my wife and she loved it:

I've got another order in with them now that was way more intricate, that had a problem with the letter spacing being too small for the material used. They contacted me right away (via e-mail) explained the issue, suggested a solution, so I was able to get the design fixed and back into their schedule right away.

I highly recommend these guys!

MWMWMW · May 28, 2020

Wow that's a great deal!

matt_i · May 29, 2020

I got 3 orders in while the state was shutdown and my mind had time to spin up stuff on CAD.

Boring stuff, some 1/2" thick custom washers that I could have made on the lathe but would have taken far longer. And a drip pan pre-cut.

Got some gate parts made from 1/4" SS and an low profile electrical enclosure.

The low pro box is going to replace the standard box on the motor.

Also made some artsy stuff from Cor-Ten for the outside patio-garden area.

What I liked is that I could insta-quote the designs after uploading them to understand the financial implications. Making multiples is always an option and you can see how the costs go down.

What I wished for was an option to "delay" my design rather than face a minimum cut charge. I get they want to run as many parts as possible from a sheet and so short-sheeting to make a ship schedule would be bad for the customer. But on some I would be willing to wait for enough other parts to be ganged up for the large sheet vs. paying the minimum cut charge. A very minor beef.

I have never elected the "part finishing" checkbox in order to save 5%. All I can detect is just a very tiny nub left from starting and finishing the kerf. But a file takes it off very easily. I'm guessing they belt-sand it in that area very slightly.

If you are busy with projects its almost like having an employee to prepare details for you...

aka Larry · May 29, 2020

matt_i said:
I got 3 orders in while the state was shutdown and my mind had time to spin up stuff on CAD.

Nice work Matt!

For the stuff I've had made, I',m OK with their minimum charge especially since I can't get it that cheap locally and they have free (fast() shipping.

I have two other other orders pending with them right now, and more to come.

Roju1985 · May 29, 2020

I had a bunch of parts cut out of 3/16" 1/4" and 3/8" steel plate. Couple of things that I've noticed:

The heat affected zone is very hard and for me a file skated across it, I also burned up a drill bit after 4 holes trying to bring them to final dimension. But once I realized that I just had to adapt and either use a belt sander or carbide burr to remove to hard coating on the cut edges.

There is a slight taper to the kerf, they are not 90* which blew one of my dimensions out of their .005 spec in 3/8 plate.

I have however been very satisfied with their service, the things I've noticed are par for the course with laser cut parts. I wish they had more cold rolled options because removing mill scale is just another step for me.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

y'sguy · May 29, 2020

@aka_Larry , With this process are they able to add bevels to the cut as an example , your cooler kart nameplate could have had that if you requested?

This is an awesome resource for me, I can't wait to try it out on something.

Okay, I read now that this is laser-cutting not cnc, so that would make a differnce. Still a great source. I'll have to check out there website and read all the options.

Thanks for sharing this.

Mail Order Parts Cutting

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