FAQs

Q: How do I send you my design(s)?

A: Simply email us at info@rfrcustomfab.com Sometimes it is necessary to physically mail us a sample part, mating part or template, but please email or call first before doing so. We can open just about any file type but prefer prints to be in .pdf format and models to be either .step or .x_t. We can work from hand made sketches as well, but be prepared to spend money on design time. Make sure to include as much information as you can. Let us know about any tight tolerance features you need, quantity of parts needed, whether your order would be a one time deal or if it will (or hopefully will) repeat, any finishing requirements, whether you’re in a hurry or not, etc.

Q: What are your typical lead times?

A: This is very hard to answer as our schedule changes on a daily basis. Currently lead times can range from 2 weeks to 3 months. We do our best to put small jobs in between larger jobs so we can ship them sooner, but this is not always possible. If you are in a legitimate hurry, please let us know and we will do everything we can to meet your due dates.

Q: What forms of shipping do you offer? Do you ship outside the U.S.?

A: For smaller things we generally ship via UPS, and larger things ship via LTL freight, usually FedEx. Even though we take great care when we pack parts for shipment, we have had terrible luck with USPS and FedEx ground. We will still use those services if you request them but if no request is made, we will always choose UPS. We have not shipped outside the U.S. as of yet, but are not opposed to starting.

Q: How do I pay you?

A: Checks only, currently. Cash is ok if you’re local but we don’t have change. Paypal and credit cards are not accepted.

Q: What are your payment terms?

A: NET30 are our standard terms, given only to proven, long term customers. New customers are either COD, or 50% down & COD upon completion depending on the job.

Q: Do you offer custom engraving?

A: Only on parts we make for you, and only part numbers, serial numbers, block text, etc.. We can engrave your logo on your parts as well, but if you don’t have the logo in a file type we can use directly, there will be some labor involved in making the logo actually machinable for us.

Q: Can you fix my lawn mower, screen door, or car?

A: We are not that kind of machine shop. We do not repair things and we don’t do automotive-specific machine work like decking blocks, valve jobs, etc..

Q: Do you use aircraft grade or military grade materials?

A: Everybody does! These are strictly marketing terms. Aside from a few very specific uses, the materials that are used to build military aircraft are the exact same materials you can buy yourself at your nearest metal supply house, as long it meets certain criteria which is generally just country of origin.

Q: Do you use billet materials? (Or do you make billet parts?)

A: Another irritating marketing term. A billet of steel, aluminum, etc. is formed from an Ingot. An ingot is a big ol’ hunk of material, weighing many tons, that is then used to make billets by forging, hot or cold rolling, casting or extrusion. The billets are then further refined in to the raw materials you see being used in machine and fabrication shops such as flat bar, angle, tubing, etc. “Billet” describes absolutely nothing about the material itself, nor the processes used to make your parts.