What are the pros and cons of purchasing a die directly from an independent tool builder?
A. When tooling is procured through a reputable die caster, tooling costs may be somewhat higher than if a purchaser dealt directly with the tool builder. The die caster will be closely involved in evaluations and decisions that will translate the product design into the optimum die casting die for successful production. The increased costs almost always represent a bargain in terms of overall costs during the life of the die. An inexperienced purchaser who purchases tooling purely on a cost basis will nearly always find that the costs over the life of a die will be significantly higher because of a lower-quality tool, although this will not be immediately apparent when the tool starts running. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that good quality tooling, which will cost more in the beginning, will pay for itself many times over in the life of a typical die casting die.
