Yes, I am because the PTFE in that spec is going to be made by a limited number of extruders with sheet dies, and just like a metal alloy it has to have composition in keeping with a standard to allow it to be called polytetraflouroethylene. There's even odds that a local source with lower cost and margins would source it from the exact same maker as McMaster-Carr and sell it significantly cheaper.
(01-01-2015, 08:00 AM)PixMan Wrote: Yes, I am because the PTFE in that spec is going to be made by a limited number of extruders with sheet dies, and just like a metal alloy it has to have composition in keeping with a standard to allow it to be called polytetraflouroethylene. There's even odds that a local source with lower cost and margins would source it from the exact same maker as McMaster-Carr and sell it significantly cheaper.
I understand where you're coming from Ken, and believe me you are correct.
The problem lies in the fact the drawing states specifically a McMaster Carr P/N.
Should I venture off in another direction to make more profit and for whatever reason am being asked to provide proof of material source, I'd be screwed.
These items go on forensic test machines and I'm quite sure every little detail has been considered by the engineer when designing their product given consideration to the scientists who will be using them and their expectations for the results provided by the equipment due to the exact specifications of the components being used in their manufacture.
Therefore, I feel compelled to use materials per the exact specification on the drawing. The call out is not for something generic like 6061, or even CRS, it is specific.
Now......if you can come up with a tool that will drill all the holes at once.......that would be awesome!!!
Of course, it would have to dirt cheap. I actually make more money on the material mark up than I do on the the actual profit from the hourly rate.
Drill all the holes at once? Wouldn't that take a huge multi-spindle drilling attachment?
How about a series of drills that would be much sharper and leave nothing more than a thin hairline burr on the exit side of the holes that you could rub off with your finger?
These A1212 drills are an inexpensive slow helix HSS jobber length drill intended for non-ferrous metals (ISO class N) and plastics (ISO class O) materials. They don't "hog in" like regular drills often do in those materials and are ground to a very sharp edge.
Only available in metric sizes, unfortunately, though many of those will be within the tolerance given for many "inch" sized holes. See my attachments.
(01-01-2015, 08:00 AM)PixMan Wrote: Yes, I am because the PTFE in that spec is going to be made by a limited number of extruders with sheet dies, and just like a metal alloy it has to have composition in keeping with a standard to allow it to be called polytetraflouroethylene. There's even odds that a local source with lower cost and margins would source it from the exact same maker as McMaster-Carr and sell it significantly cheaper.
I understand where you're coming from Ken, and believe me you are correct.
The problem lies in the fact the drawing states specifically a McMaster Carr P/N.
Should I venture off in another direction to make more profit and for whatever reason am being asked to provide proof of material source, I'd be screwed.
I recommend you find an alternative source then contact your customer and offer a price reduction of one half of the difference in price. That way both sides would be happy.
Whilst I agree that IF it were possible to provide an identical material and increase your profit, I must say that I admire your business morals Russ. Profit increase on a single job provides a short term gain. Damage to ones reputation on the other hand leads to long term loss.
(01-01-2015, 07:59 PM)Mayhem Wrote: Whilst I agree that IF it were possible to provide an identical material and increase your profit, I must say that I admire your business morals Russ. Profit increase on a single job provides a short term gain. Damage to ones reputation on the other hand leads to long term loss.