Guides
Practical, plain-language help for people who need parts made.
How to write a requirement that workshops can quote accurately
Six things to include so that you get useful quotations, not a round of questions.
4 min read
Sand, die or investment casting: how to choose
A plain guide to the main casting methods and when each one makes sense.
4 min read
Tolerances explained: how tight is tight enough?
What a tolerance is, why tighter costs more, and how to save money without losing quality.
4 min read
How to choose a workshop for a job: what to check besides price
A practical checklist for judging whether a workshop is a good fit for your part.
4 min read
Sheet metal design tips that save money
Simple design habits that make sheet-metal parts easier to cut, bend and weld, and cheaper to make.
5 min read
Injection moulding design basics for a better, cheaper mould
Wall thickness, draft, ribs and corners: the simple rules that keep plastic parts strong and the mould affordable.
5 min read
Mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium: how to choose
A plain comparison of the three most common metals, so you can tell a workshop what you need.
4 min read
Surface finishes and coatings: what they do and when to use them
Painting, powder coating, galvanising, plating and anodising in plain language.
5 min read
Heat treatment basics: hardening, tempering and annealing
What heat treatment does to steel, and what to tell a workshop when your part needs it.
4 min read
How to read a quotation: what should be in it
The items a good quotation lists, and the questions that stop surprises later.
4 min read
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