When the OEM quote is absurd, the backorder is measured in months, or you're tired of a single supplier owning your uptime — we machine the equivalent part. Same form, fit and function. Verified, not assumed.
Much of what sits in an OEM spares catalogue is conventional machining — turned sleeves, milled brackets, ground shafts — sold at captive prices because the part number only exists in one catalogue. Industry comparisons put OEM spares around 65% above equivalent aftermarket pricing, and on simple machined parts the multiple is often far worse. Add a 12-week backorder and a single point of supply, and the "genuine part" starts costing more than money.
An OEM alternative done properly isn't a knock-off — it's the same engineering delivered without the catalogue premium. The geometry is taken from your sample or drawing, the material is matched or upgraded, and the critical fits are measured and documented before the part ships.
| Situation | Our honest advice |
|---|---|
| Simple machined part, big OEM markup | Strongest case — this is most of what we do |
| OEM backorder, machine waiting | Custom machining is often faster than the OEM's own queue |
| Single-sourced critical spare | Second source = negotiating power and supply security |
| Part under active warranty | Check your warranty terms first — we'll say so rather than sell you trouble |
| Safety-certified component | Keep the certified chain; we decline these rather than fake a cert |
| Cheap and available from the OEM | Buy the OEM part. We tell you when machining can't beat it |
What "equivalent" means here. Form: dimensions and tolerances from your sample or drawing. Fit: critical interfaces — bores, threads, mounting faces — measured against the original and documented. Function: material matched to the duty, or upgraded where the original was the weak point. What we never copy: brand names, logos, type plates or protected markings.
Ground journals, keyways and threads to the original fits — a classic captive part.
Milled brackets sold at casting prices; machined from billet, often stiffer.
Conveyor and web-handling rollers with bearing seats and crowns matched.
Precision bores and run-out held to seal-manufacturer spec.
Odd-thread studs, shoulder bolts and custom nuts. See custom fasteners.
Proprietary connectors reproduced or converted to standard. See adapters & fittings.
If the OEM part isn't just expensive but gone — discontinued or the maker out of business — that's a different problem with a better solution: see discontinued parts and manufacturer out of business.
When the geometry, material and tolerances match, the part performs the same — much of what OEMs sell as spares is conventional machining priced as a captive part. We verify form, fit and function against your sample: same dimensions, same or better material, critical fits measured and documented.
Owning equipment generally includes the right to repair it with parts from any source. Two caveats we flag honestly: parts under active warranty terms may be affected by third-party replacements, and safety-certified components should keep their certification chain. We reproduce function and geometry, never brand markings.
Often, yes — captive spare parts carry the OEM's margin, packaging and part-number premium. Industry comparisons put OEM spares at roughly 65% above equivalent aftermarket pricing, and simple machined parts can be multiples of that. Send photos and the OEM quote; we'll tell you honestly whether custom machining beats it.
Either. A drawing is fastest. With only the physical part, we measure it and rebuild the drawing — including tolerances inferred from the fits it runs in. With photos plus key dimensions we can usually still quote, then confirm geometry from the sample before machining.
Send the OEM quote too — we'll compare honestly.
Send the part and the OEM quote — we machine the equivalent, verified on form, fit and function. MOQ 1.