Your current shop
Shops trade overflow with each other all the time. Ask the shop that turned you down who they send work to when they are full. It costs one phone call and the referral already knows the kind of part you buy.
Overflow guide · parts quotes
How to find overflow machining capacity in New England
Your usual shop is booked out and the parts are still due. Finding another shop is not the hard part; finding one that has room, runs the right machines and will actually quote by your date is. Here is where to look, and how to send the job so a shop says yes.
- A person reads every RFQ
- Approved shops only
- The shop quotes you directly
Where to look
Supplier marketplaces
CONNEX Marketplace lets buyers search U.S. manufacturers and filter by capabilities, certifications and location. State MEP centers, including MassMEP, have promoted it to manufacturers in their states.
Your state MEP center
Each New England state has a Manufacturing Extension Partnership center that works with local manufacturers. They will not quote your part, but they often know which shops in the region do what.
One RFQ, routed by a person
Send the package once through our overflow RFQ. A person reads it and passes it to approved shops that fit the part, and the shop quotes you directly.
What makes a shop say yes to overflow
- A complete package. Drawing with revision, STEP model, material and temper, quantity, and the due date. A shop with open time will still pass on a job it has to chase information for. The full list is in what to send for a CNC machining quote.
- A date with some slack. Give the real date you need, not a padded one. If it is a true rush, say so up front.
- A part that fits their machines. Size, material and features should match what they run. Long, thin turned parts may need a Swiss shop; see Swiss vs conventional turning.
- Inspection and paperwork spelled out. Say whether you need a first article report, material certs or a certificate of conformance before they quote, not after.
- A chance at repeat work. If the job may come back, say so. That changes how a shop looks at setup and fixturing.
What makes a shop pass
Missing information
No revision, no model, no material callout. The shop has to guess or chase, so it passes.
A rush with no slack
A date that only works if nothing goes wrong scares off a shop that is fitting you between its own customers.
Paperwork surprises
Inspection reports or certs added after the quote can turn a fair price into a losing job.
Hidden fixture work
If the part needs a fixture, say so. A shop that finds out later either requotes or walks.
Vetting a shop you have never used
- Its machines fit your part size and material.
- Ask about a quality system only if your customer requires one, and get it in writing.
- Ask how it inspects and what report it sends with the parts. If you need a first article report, see what drives first article inspection cost.
- Get the ship date in writing, with who to call if it slips.
- For a critical part, start with a first article or a small first lot before releasing the full run.
FAQ
Where do I find a machine shop with open capacity for overflow work?
Start with the shops you already use: a busy shop often knows who nearby has open spindles. Then search a supplier marketplace such as CONNEX, which lets buyers filter U.S. manufacturers by capability, certification and location, and ask your state Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center. Or send one RFQ to a routing service like CNC Quotes Fast and let a person match it to shops that fit.
What makes a shop say yes to an overflow job?
A complete package (drawing with revision, STEP model, material, quantity, due date), a date with some slack, a part that fits the machines they run, clear inspection and paperwork needs up front, and a real chance of repeat work. Shops pass fastest on rush jobs with missing information.
Should I tell the new shop it is overflow work?
Yes. Say your usual shop is full and give the real date you need. A shop that knows the job may repeat can price it differently than a one-time favor, and an honest date avoids a quote it cannot keep.
How do I vet a shop I have never used?
Check that its machines fit your part size and material, ask about its quality system only if your customer requires one, ask how it inspects and what report it sends, and get the ship date in writing. For a critical part, start with a first article or a small first lot.
What is CONNEX?
CONNEX Marketplace is a digital platform that connects U.S. manufacturers, buyers and partners. Buyers can search and filter suppliers by capabilities, certifications and location. State MEP centers, including MassMEP in Massachusetts, have promoted it to manufacturers in their states.
Shop full and parts still due?
One RFQ, routed by a person to shops that fit. Call or text 508-343-1219.