I am making a punch for a customer (with permission from Fred). I had emailed him to let him know about it and see if he needed anything or knew of anyone needing one while I was at it. I was hoping that if there was another person or two interested, I could surprise my customer with that and the better price - since heat treat is a notable chunk of the cost since its just a one off. But Im guessing he knows Im sort of looking now :P All in good fun! I may still have another surprise for them, we'll have to see...
No way to know what the end cost will be without knowing how many Im making (and if its more than one more - as I ordered a second set of blanks in case I screw up one, Id have to add to the material order I already made - but can be done)
If its just one punch, north of $1000 is quite possible. Heat treat for one punch is likely going to be 275.00 - but that is assuming they can heat treat the die plates and the punch plate all in the same batch. But if the thicknesses are too great between the two parts of the punch, they may have to do two batches, one for the die plates and one for the punch material. So there is a chance that heat treat could be over 500 just for one punch - but Im optimistic that they can do the die plates and the punch blank in one batch. Now, add 1 punch, and that cuts the heat treat in half for the two punches. Add a third, and its cut in thirds etc... the ole economy of scale at play. Add in being able to prep more blanks for the punch at one time, prior to heat treat, and post heat treat prep, and then being able to wire out more than one of the same thing, and that helps bring costs down as well.
That all said... figure at least $1000, so then when it gets calculated out - worst case - its what you planned on... and best case, its cheaper. Err on the side of caution to reduce the unpleasant surprises and all that jazz.
Email me via the online store if you have questions or want to get a deposit in on one.
And Thanks Fred!!! for allowing folks to use your designs for the reeds and the jigs!
Wade