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CNC machining in Steel 1045 (cold drawn)
Steel 1045 (cold drawn) is a proven choice for cnc machining: about 40% stronger than 1018 as cold drawn. On a representative plate at 50 pieces it estimates at about $45.40 per part, with a lead time of 5–10 days. Typical tolerance is ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm), or ISO 2768-m.
- Per part
- $45.40
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 5–10 days
Price it in 1045
Plate · CNC machining
Order total $2,808
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $45.40
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 5–10 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length120120 mm
Width80.080.0 mm
Thickness6.006.00 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity5050 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
1045 vs other cnc machining materials
The same plate at 50 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. ABS is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | $30.80 | $41.50 | 59 g | 43 MPa |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | $30.80 | $41.50 | 54 g | 26 MPa |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 68 g | 65 MPa |
| Nylon 66 (PA66) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 65 g | 83 MPa |
| Acetal (POM) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 80 g | 62 MPa |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 67 g | 70 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | $33.10 | $43.90 | 153 g | 310 MPa |
| Aluminum 6063-T5 | $33.10 | $43.90 | 153 g | 186 MPa |
| Aluminum A380 (die cast) | $33.10 | $43.90 | 153 g | 324 MPa |
| Aluminum 7075-T6 | $35.00 | $45.70 | 159 g | 572 MPa |
| Brass C360 (free-cutting) | $42.00 | $52.70 | 480 g | 400 MPa |
| Steel 1018 (cold drawn) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 445 g | 440 MPa |
| Steel 1045 (cold drawn) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 445 g | 625 MPa |
| Steel 12L14 (leaded free-machining) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 445 g | 540 MPa |
| Steel A36 (structural) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 444 g | 450 MPa |
| Copper C110 (ETP) | $48.50 | $59.20 | 503 g | 290 MPa |
| PEEK (polyether ether ketone) | $50.20 | $60.90 | 74 g | 98 MPa |
| Steel 4140 (annealed) | $52.20 | $62.90 | 444 g | 655 MPa |
| Stainless steel 304 | $60.60 | $71.30 | 453 g | 505 MPa |
| Stainless steel 303 | $61.10 | $71.80 | 453 g | 620 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $62.70 | $73.40 | 453 g | 580 MPa |
| Stainless steel 17-4 PH (H900) | $66.60 | $77.30 | 440 g | 1379 MPa |
| Titanium Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | $99.00 | $110 | 251 g | 950 MPa |
1045 at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 625 MPa87th pct
- Yield strength
- 530 MPa90th pct
- Density
- 7.87 g/cm³79th pct
- Elongation
- 12 %22th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- About 40% stronger than 1018 as cold drawn
- Induction hardens to 55–60 HRC on wear surfaces over a tough core
- Forges well; common for hammer and press forgings
- Low cost and widely stocked, including turned, ground and polished shafting
- Base steel for induction-hardened, chrome-plated hydraulic rod
Watch for
- Welding needs preheat, typically 300–500 °F (150–260 °C), to avoid cracking
- Limited hardenability; sections over about 1 in (25 mm) will not harden fully to the core
- Machines slower than low-carbon steels
- Rusts bare
CNC machining design rules
At least 1/3 of cavity depth; 0.030 in (0.8 mm) minimum
Radius internal corners
Depth no more than about 4× pocket width
Limit pocket depth
0.030 in (0.8 mm) in metal; 0.060 in (1.5 mm) in plastic
Minimum wall thickness
About 4× diameter standard; up to 10× with peck drilling
Limit hole depth
About 1.5× diameter for most tapped holes
Limit thread depth
Match standard drill, reamer, and tap sizes
Use standard hole sizes
Questions
How much does cnc machining in 1045 cost?
For a representative part (plate 120 mm × 80 mm × 6 mm, 4 × ø6.6 mm holes, r6 mm corners), SSG's estimator gives about $45.40 per part at 50 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $56.20 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 1045 a good material for cnc machining?
It is when you need about 40% stronger than 1018 as cold drawn and induction hardens to 55–60 hrc on wear surfaces over a tough core. Watch for welding needs preheat, typically 300–500 °f (150–260 °c), to avoid cracking. Of 23 materials run in cnc machining, it ranks 13 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 1045 cnc machining parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), powder coat, wet paint (liquid coating), zinc plating, electroless nickel (en). The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can cnc machining hold in 1045?
Typical capability is ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm), or ISO 2768-m. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote cnc machining in 1045.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.