I might add that, if you make the pattern, then you are responsible for
it working correctly and will most likely have to bear the costs of
testing, rework, etc..
A lot also depends upon how many of this thing you want to make; one,
10, 100, 1000.
Patterns for things that may look simple to you start at 1 or 2
thousand dollars and go up from there.
For instance: we have an aluminum wheel cast in quantities of 100 to
200. Pattern cost was $2500 to start and now another $1000 has gone
into changes. That's for sand casting. A permanent "metal" mold would
have been $10,000.
Do you know what material you will need for your application?
Add material cost. You part appears to solid from what you said, so
there's the cost of 3-5 pounds of material. Aluminum can easily be $2/lb.
Will the part have to be heat treated? Add some more cost.
Will the foundry actually be able produce to the specs you need? If
they can't, add some more for post-foundry machining.

Just pick the place, take a sample, meet with them and tell them what
you want to do. Quoting jobs is vital to getting jobs, so they won't
mind talking/working with you.

Pete Stanaitis
-----------------

Steve Lusardi wrote:
First, a professional foundry will probably not use either method, but that
is not so relevant. What is relevant is who makes the pattern. If you do it,
the cost is low. If the foundry does it, the cost is much higher and it is
dependant on how much time it will take to make it. You can do your own
arithmetic. In all cases, prior consultation is necessary between you and
the foundry on who will do what. In most cases, the foundry will want to
make a sand casting with a conventional cope and drag boxes, this will drive
the pattern cost.
Steve

"Charles P Lamb" wrote in message
. ..

What can I expect a foundry to charge me for an Aluminum casting? It
would be about the size of a softball using either lost wax or lost foam.

Thanks