The manufacturing
reference library
Decision guides on casting, machining, fabrication, quality, and sourcing. Written by the people who quote and build the parts, for the engineers who spec them.
Casting
Process selection, tolerances, and landed-cost tradeoffs across die, sand, and investment casting.
Casting vs Machining: Which Process Should Make Your Part?
Casting vs machining compared across cost, tolerances, volume, and lead time. Learn which manufacturing process fits your metal part production needs.
Forged vs Cast Metal: Which is Better for Strength and Cost?
Forged vs cast metal compared: grain structure, strength, cost, and applications. Learn which process fits your project requirements.
Choosing Between Die Casting and Sand Casting for Production Volumes
How part geometry, annual volume, and tolerance decide which casting process fits your program, with the cost and lead time tradeoffs spelled out.
Cold Chamber vs. Hot Chamber Die Casting
Cold chamber and hot chamber die casting differ primarily in furnace location and the metals they can process. Cold chamber suits high-melting-point metals like aluminum and brass; hot chamber excels with zinc, tin, and magnesium at much higher production rates.
Cost of Casting Aluminum vs. Bronze
Bronze costs anywhere from 5x to 10x more than aluminum per pound, but raw material price is only one factor. The casting method chosen, production volume, and part complexity are often larger cost drivers than the metal itself.
Investment Casting vs. Die Casting
Investment casting creates parts with exceptional surface finishes and suits complex geometries and low volumes, while die casting delivers the greatest economic benefit for non-ferrous parts at high production volumes. This guide compares both methods across process, cost, materials, and design flexibility.
Quality
Supplier quality, first-article inspection, and the certifications that keep regulated parts on spec.
Supply Chain
Sourcing across the U.S., Mexico, and Shenzhen, and how to read a quote on landed cost.
Managing Overseas Manufacturing From One U.S. Contact
Overseas production delivers cost savings, but only with proper U.S. oversight. Learn how a single American contact simplifies the entire process.
Outsourcing Manufacturing: Pros and Cons
Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing manufacturing to countries like Mexico, China, and India. Learn how to evaluate partners and protect your supply chain.
Mitigating Metal Tariff Costs: Strategies for Manufacturers (Post-2025 Changes)
The 2025 Section 232 changes ended new product exclusions and country exemptions. A look at the narrow, compliant avenues that remain for reducing steel and aluminum tariff costs on derivative products.
The China Tariff Puzzle: How Section 232 Impacts Your Metal Sourcing Costs from China
Chinese steel and aluminum imports face layered duties — but Section 232 can actually cap exposure by exempting those goods from the harsher IEEPA reciprocal tariffs. How the interaction works.
How Many Jobs Are Available in Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication employment is shifting toward specialization. While generic fabricator roles are declining, demand for welders, CNC machinists, and ironworkers continues to grow.
How to Find a Manufacturer in Mexico
Mexico offers lower labor costs, a skilled workforce, and proximity to U.S. markets. Here is how to identify reliable manufacturers and build lasting supplier relationships.
Trump’s China Tariffs Explained
The 25% tariffs on Chinese imports took effect July 6, 2018, covering about 10% of imports — 818 mostly industrial items. What’s included, what’s not, and the background.
Trump’s China Tariffs Actually Help China?
Trump’s 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs apply to raw material, not processed parts — which can incentivize processing metal in overseas factories before it enters the U.S.
Machining
CNC turning and milling guidance: fixturing, finishes, and the cost of a tolerance.
Materials
Alloy comparisons, material properties, and equivalent-grade references for specifying the right metal.
Ductile Iron vs Carbon Steel: Strength, Cost, and Castability
Ductile iron vs carbon steel compared across strength, corrosion resistance, machinability, castability, and cost. A practical guide for engineers and procurement teams.
Gray Iron vs Ductile Iron: Properties, Uses, and How to Specify
Gray iron and ductile iron differ in graphite microstructure, tensile strength, and impact resistance. Compare properties, ASTM specs, and applications.
1020 Steel Equivalent Materials & Metal Specifications
1020 steel is a low-carbon mild steel with 0.18-0.23% carbon, offering a practical balance of strength and ductility. This page covers its international equivalents, mechanical properties by condition, and chemical composition.
1045 Steel Equivalent Materials & Metal Specifications
1045 steel is a medium-carbon steel known for strength, hardness, and machinability. This page covers its European equivalents (C45, CK45), mechanical properties by condition, chemical composition, and common industrial applications.
2024 Aluminum vs 6061 Aluminum: Properties, Uses, and How to Choose
2024 and 6061 are both workhorse aerospace alloys, but they serve opposite needs: 2024 delivers high strength and fatigue resistance under tension, while 6061 offers superior corrosion resistance, weldability, and fabrication versatility.
40Cr13 | Equivalent Materials & Metal Specifications
A reference guide to 40Cr13 (4Cr13) martensitic stainless steel per GB1220-92 and GBT1220-2007: chemical composition, physical properties, and European equivalent X39Cr13.
41Cr4 Equivalent Materials & Metal Specifications
41Cr4/1.7035 is a chromium alloy steel for quenching and tempering, suited to medium-load components such as gears, shafts, and steering knuckles. This page covers international equivalents, chemical composition, and mechanical properties.
42CrMo | Equivalent Materials & Metal Specifications
A reference guide to 42CrMo alloy structural steel per GB/T3077: chemical composition, mechanical properties, and international equivalents 4140, 42CrMo4, and SCM440.
42CrMo4 Steel | Equivalent Materials and Metal Specifications
42CrMo4 is a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel per DIN EN ISO 683-2, valued for its strength and toughness after quenching and tempering, with equivalent grades including AISI 4140 and SAE 4140H.
4Cr13 Steel | Equivalent Materials and Metal Specifications
4Cr13 (40Cr13) is a martensitic stainless steel with high hardenability, excellent corrosion and hot-oxidation resistance, and superior polishing properties, used in precision tools, plastic molds, and petrochemical components.
6061-T6 | Equivalent Materials & Metal Specifications
A reference guide to 6061-T6 aluminum alloy: chemical composition, mechanical properties, and equivalent grades including 6082-T6 and 6005A-T6.
7075 Aluminum vs 6061: Strength, Weldability, and Application Differences
7075 aluminum nearly doubles the tensile strength of 6061 and dominates aerospace tooling, but it is generally considered non-weldable and harder to form. 6061 offers superior corrosion resistance, weldability, and fabrication versatility for a broader range of industries.
Metal Injection Molding
MIM process, feedstock, sintering, and design guidance for small complex metal parts at volume.
Designing for Metal Injection Molding: A Part Design Guide
Metal injection molding design requires uniform wall thickness, proper gating, and sintering shrinkage planning. Learn the key MIM part design rules before you commit to tooling.
What Is Metal Injection Molding? MIM Process, Materials, Uses
Metal injection molding (MIM) produces small, complex metal parts with minimal material waste. Learn the MIM process, materials, applications, and design guidelines.
All resources
Field notes for the people who specify parts.
Process selection, tolerance, and lead-time guidance, written from the floor. About once a month.
Explore Redstone capabilities
Browse Redstone processes, materials, and secondary operations that support production-ready metal parts.
Show capabilities Hide capabilities
- CNC Machining
- Surface Finishing
- Inspection & CMM