Am I being over charged

[zdude1967]

I just sent a head out to have two broken exhaust studs removed by an EDM tech. One of the studs has a broken EZ-out in it. In any case the shop called me and left a message it was done and the cost is $300.00. I do not think I am a cheapskate but $300.00 seems out of line. I thought maybe $120.00 to at most $180.00. Has anyone any experience with getting broken bolts removed by and EDM machine and if so what was the cost. Am I correct in my guess that removing broken studs at a standard machine shop and doing a Heli-coil would probably cost maybe $150.00 tops.

Thanks

Z-Dude1967

[dimitri_zee]

I think what blew the budget was the broken easy out. The people that had to remove that now had something of a harder material to remove other than just the broken stud. If you ever come across another rusty looking stud, try soaking it with brake fluid for a while; been told by a good engineer friend of mine that works the best!

[peterc]

Hmmm. Seems a bit steep. There's a machine shop here in Ottawa that removes unmolested broken studs for $30.00 a pop. He charges more if they have been played with, e.g. broken EZ Outs, etc. The "trick" as I understand it is to make sure the head is properly positioned and secured to a drill press. He positions the head so that the appropiate drill will pass cleanly into one of the open bolt holes,then locks the head in place, then moves the drill to the problem bolt hole.

[Weasel73240Z]

I just sent a head out to have two broken exhaust studs removed by an EDM tech. One of the studs has a broken EZ-out in it. In any case the shop called me and left a message it was done and the cost is $300.00. I do not think I am a cheapskate but $300.00 seems out of line. I thought maybe $120.00 to at most $180.00. Has anyone any experience with getting broken bolts removed by and EDM machine and if so what was the cost. Am I correct in my guess that removing broken studs at a standard machine shop and doing a Heli-coil would probably cost maybe $150.00 tops.

Thanks

Z-Dude1967

I assume an EDM is an electron discharge machine, which I used to run when I worked in a machine shop. EDM's use electricity and a graphite element to burn away metal, and its a slow process. Setting the thing up requires getting the bolt holes perfectly plumb with the element, which can take some time. $300 doesn't seem out of line for a couple hours on an EDM. But is there a reason why you have to EDM them out?

Edited August 13, 2009 by Weasel73240Z

[Stickerman]

You did not invest your money in the machine to do the job, the shop did, and they deserve to reap the rewards. What was the alternative, do it yourself? Do you not make a profit at your job?

Why didn't you ask the cost before they did the work?

[zdude1967]

I had asked other shops and their EST on time was less. This shop is the only one I know in my area. However, I am asking now to what I would consider a well informed group with similar interests (ZEDS) and no reason to be anything but truthful. If $300.00 is the average cost for something like this thats cool. I am just wondering if I am getting a little love tug (jerked).

ZDUDE