Threading 2500 1" rods

[protrxrptr17]

I don't know if this is the right section for this, but I need help quoting a job. My biggest customer wants me to quote a price on cutting 500 20' sticks of 1 inch hot roll into 4' pieces. Adds up to 2500 pieces. Then I have to cut 2" of coarse thread on each end. Customer supplies material. The order might increase to 10,000 or more of these. What is a reasonable price for your shops? I know that there are many factors that can change the price, I already have a ballpark figure, but I just want to see what somebody else would charge for this job. My shop is very small, in a very small town. I can't afford to miss this job, but I can't afford to underprice it either. There are some big shops a few towns over, and I don't want to lose the job to them. I have been in business for only a year and I have never had a job anywhere near this big. It could really make or break me. OHH, I need some help.

[HuFlungDung]

What kind of machine are you going to use?

How long is the thread? It makes a lot of difference if you have to drill a center hole if doing the job on a lathe.

[protrxrptr17]

I have an old Oster threading machine. 2" of thread on each end. From my experience with the machine, it does a good job and is pretty fast. I figure I can thread one end in about 1 minute. Anybody have a suggestion for a machine better suited for this job?

[HuFlungDung]

There is a lot of handling to do, besides the threading.

Operations in multiples of 2500 are tedious, so make it interesting for yourself

I am not sure what kind of die life you would expect to get.

I would do them in the cnc lathe, because I don't have a threader. I'd probably quote $7.00 per part. Undercut me

[protrxrptr17]

Yes, handling is a big factor in this job too. They did tell me they had priced some all-thread rod. It came out to about $20 each. I don't know how much they are paying for the raw material. Am I way off base asking $10 each? I can and would do it for $7 but if I asked $7 when I could have got $10, thats $3000 at the end. It's making my head hurt.

I don't know how long the dies last. I'm sure it would take a few sets. I can't find anybody on the net that lists the price of the dies. I'll have to call about that tomorrow.

[a1cadcam]

well... unless i am missing something... it would be $7500 difference
$3 x 2500 parts...

anyway, you have to be happy with what you ask for... it is like buying a vehicle, you gotta stop looking after you signed the deal

you cant wonder the what if i had asked for more... is gonna kill ya...
dont try to retire on this job.... retire on the next, always the next

my 2 cents (Canadian eh!)

[protrxrptr17]

Originally Posted by a1cadcam well... unless i am missing something... it would be $7500 difference $3 x 2500 parts... anyway, you have to be happy with what you ask for... it is like buying a vehicle, you gotta stop looking after you signed the deal you cant wonder the what if i had asked for more... is gonna kill ya... dont try to retire on this job.... retire on the next, always the next my 2 cents (Canadian eh!)

Yeah, $7500. I have too many numbers in my head right now. The big number makes each cent count. I've never had to think this hard about a job. I have to give them my qoute this morning. I'll let ya'll know how it turns out tonight.

[Switcher]

It might be best to go just a little over cost, just cover all your expenses. Sounds like a simple job. That might lead to better jobs, in the future.



.

[HuFlungDung]

$10 each is not out of line either, considering the cost of dies and unknown die life.

If you are trying to look competitive, it might be better to not round off the numbers....looks like you have then calculated the costs right to the penny: $9.47 each

Good luck in your bidding

[DareBee]

The Rigid/threading machine type dies have very good life expectancy.
I would price maybe 3 - 4 sets of new die teeth and amortize over the production volume.
$7 - 10 each sounds about right.
I wouldn't go over $10.

If you end up making out like a bandit you could always charge less at time of billing and ease your guilty conscience.

[protrxrptr17]

Well, the price they told me on the all thread rod was $20 for a 12' stick. Works out to about 6.67 each. Of course somebody has to cut the all thread, but they said they could do that theirself. The price for the hot roll adds up to 4.16 each 4' stick. That only leaves $2.51 each for labor. I told them I could possibly do it for $5 each, but no less. I cut and threaded one rod this morning just as a test. I trimmed the end, then cut it to 4', walked across the shop and threaded both ends in less than 5 minutes. I cut it off with a worn out bandsaw. I planned on buying a coldsaw for this job, so I could cut it much faster than that. I think it would probably pay for itself in time saved if I find a good deal.

Anyway, I probably won't get the job. Should have known it was too good to be true. I talked to an employee of the customer today, and he told me the rods were going to be used to bolt ties together. They will be used in the oil industry to get trucks in and out of soft ground. He says he doesn't think all thread will be strong enough for this application. He says to stand firm because they will probably decide to go ahead with the hot roll for strength. I sure hope so. Times are tough in my area. A job like this could really help me, even at $5 each.

[Hernthehunter]

I used to run a thread roller making all thread. and we would run cold rolled 1018 thru the machine. I wonder if machining the thread on a piece of hot rolled would be any stronger, at least the threaded areas