What moves the price of a remade part
There is no list price for a part nobody sells. Makers quote from your photos and measurements. These are the things that move the number, and how to keep it down.
What moves the price
- Modelling — Turning a broken original, or photos and measurements, into a 3D model is skilled work and is often the largest part of the price for a one-off. A ready 3D file or a dimensioned drawing removes most of it.
- Material — PLA and PETG are cheap; ASA, nylon and polycarbonate cost more and are harder to print well; machined aluminium, brass or steel costs more again. Pick the material for the job, not the cheapest one.
- Size and machine time — Printers and CNC machines are billed by time. A large or solid part takes longer than a small clip, and fine detail slows the machine.
- Process — FDM printing suits most clips, brackets and covers. Resin printing gives fine detail for knobs and badges. SLS nylon, CNC milling and lathe turning cost more and are for parts that need strength, wear resistance or metal.
- Test fits — When the maker works from photos, a test piece and a small revision are normal. Agree in advance whether they are in the quote.
- Quantity — Once the model exists, a second or third copy costs little. Ordering a spare is cheap insurance for a part that broke from wear.
- Finishing — Sanding, painting, colour matching, threaded inserts and texture matching are labour on top of machine time.
- Postage or pickup — Sending the original to the maker and the new part back adds postage. A maker near you who takes drop-offs saves both.
How to get a sharper quote (paste this into your post)
- Make and model number of the product, from the rating plate or label.
- Photos of the part from every side, one with a ruler or calipers in shot, and one of where it fits.
- Overall length, width and height in millimetres, plus hole diameters and their centre-to-centre spacing.
- What the part does and what it goes through: heat, sunlight, water, load, movement.
- Whether you can send the broken original, and whether you have a 3D file or drawing.
- Quantity, including a spare if you want one.
- Your area or 'local pickup', the date you need it, and a budget range.