Sourcing guides

How to source manufactured parts

Written for the buyer or engineer who has to get a part made. Each guide is the step before the RFQ: a printable checklist of what the drawing and the request must settle, with the reason a shop needs each item, then what to send, what drives the cost, typical lead times, the mistakes that cost a re-quote, and the questions to ask before you award the job.

14 guides, each ending in an RFQ you can send to U.S. shops.

Attach a drawing (PDF or STEP) or describe the part; a U.S. shop that fits quotes it.

By part

What the drawing and the RFQ must settle for a specific kind of part.

  • How to Source Machined Shafts

    What a machined shaft RFQ must specify: material and condition, fits, runout, keyways, threads, hardness and finish, plus cost drivers and lead times.

    18-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Hydraulic Manifolds

    Hydraulic manifold RFQ checklist: block material, pressure, valve cavities, port standards, drilled passages, deburring, cleanliness and pressure testing.

    17-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Sheet Metal Enclosures

    Sheet metal enclosure RFQ checklist: material and thickness, bends, hardware, seams, NEMA or IP rating, gaskets and finish, with costs and lead times.

    15-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Gears

    Gear RFQ checklist: complete gear data table, accuracy grade, material, heat treatment, case depth, bore and keyway, and the inspection that proves it.

    17-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Weldments

    Weldment RFQ checklist: material specs, weld symbols, welding code, distortion limits, post-weld machining, stress relief, NDT and finish.

    14-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Castings

    Casting RFQ checklist: cast alloy spec, process, as-cast and machined models, draft, tolerances, soundness and NDT, tooling ownership and first article.

    15-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Injection Molded Parts

    Injection molding RFQ checklist: resin grade, volume and mold class, cavities, mold ownership, gate and ejector marks, texture, tolerances and sampling.

    16-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Brackets and Mounts

    Bracket and mount RFQ checklist: choose formed, machined or welded construction, then specify material, hole patterns, bends, hardware, finish and load.

    13-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Springs and Wire Forms

    Spring RFQ checklist: type, wire material and size, fit diameter, free length, loads at working heights, ends, stress relief, peening, finish and testing.

    17-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source PCB Assemblies

    PCB assembly RFQ checklist: fab files and drawing, BOM with approved alternates, centroid data, IPC class, turnkey or consigned parts, test and coating.

    19-item RFQ checklist

By situation

How the request changes for prototypes, low volumes, spares and regulated work.

  • How to Source Replacement Machinery Parts

    Getting a worn or obsolete machine part made without a drawing: what to send, what to measure, how to identify the material, and what to ask the shop.

    15-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Aerospace Machined Parts

    Aerospace machining RFQ checklist: AS9100, AMS material specs, flow-downs, approved special processes, AS9102 first article, traceability, ITAR and DFARS.

    15-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Low-Volume Production Parts

    Buying tens to thousands of parts a year: split setup from piece price, get price breaks, plan releases, and lock the revision, inspection and packaging.

    15-item RFQ checklist

  • How to Source Prototype Parts

    Prototype RFQ checklist: what the prototype must prove, which features must match production, process and material choices, and fast-turn trade-offs.

    15-item RFQ checklist