CNC Machining Guides & Comparisons
Cost breakdowns, material comparisons and practical machining knowledge from our workshop floor.
Titanium Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Compared
Titanium Grade 2 vs Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) compared on strength, corrosion, machinability and cost, plus where Grade 23 fits, from a UK machine shop.
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EN 10204 3.1 vs 2.2 vs 3.2 Material Certificates
EN 10204 material certificates compared: what 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 prove, who signs them, and which your machined parts need. From a UK machine shop.
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ISO 2768 General Tolerances and What mK Means
ISO 2768 tolerance tables for classes f, m, c and v, what ISO 2768-mK means now part 2 is withdrawn, and when a feature needs its own tolerance.
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6082 vs 6061 vs 7075 Aluminium Compared
6082 vs 6061 vs 7075 aluminium compared on strength, machinability, anodising and cost, from a UK machine shop that cuts all three grades.
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Nitronic 50 vs Nitronic 60 Compared
Nitronic 50 vs Nitronic 60 compared on strength, corrosion, galling and machinability using the mill's own test data, from a UK machine shop.
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CZ121 vs C360 Brass Grades Compared
CZ121, CW614N, C360 and lead-free brass compared on machinability, cost and application, from a UK shop that turns brass parts every week.
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Machining Hastelloy, Coolant and Tooling
How to machine Hastelloy C276, C22 and X. Coolant strategy, tooling, starting speeds and feeds, from a UK shop that cuts these alloys to ±0.01mm.
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304 vs 316 Stainless Steel Compared
How 304 and 316 stainless steel compare on composition, corrosion resistance, cost and machinability, from a UK machine shop that machines both weekly.
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UK CNC Machining Costs and Hourly Rates
UK CNC machining costs £25 to £120 per machine hour, but parts are quoted per piece. What drives the price, typical part costs and how to bring them down.
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Inconel 625 vs 718 for Machined Parts
Inconel 625 vs 718 compared on strength, corrosion resistance, temperature and machinability, from a UK machine shop that cuts both alloys.
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