Buying Guides
Taper Lock Bushing Price Guide: What Affects Cost and How to Get the Best Value
Buying Guides
There is no useful universal price for a taper lock bushing without a configuration. An EP-1008 and EP-120100 differ dramatically in material volume, machining time, fasteners and shipment weight. A standard bore and a custom multi-keyway bore can also be different commercial items even when the outside series is the same.
Instead of publishing a price table that becomes misleading when raw material, quantity or freight changes, this guide explains the variables that should be held constant when comparing quotations.
The main factors that change bushing cost
| Cost driver | Why it changes the quote | How to specify it |
|---|---|---|
| Series and physical size | Larger models use more material and heavier fasteners. | State the exact EP or existing family/model. |
| Material | Cast iron, malleable iron, steel and stainless configurations have different material/process routes. | State the required material or environment. |
| Bore and keyway | Stock combinations and custom machining require different setup. | State bore, units and keyway standard/dimensions. |
| Quantity | Setup, packaging and inspection effort are distributed across the order. | Give realistic order quantity by model. |
| Documentation / inspection | Special reports or third-party inspection add work. | List documents and inspection requirements in the RFQ. |
| Freight and Incoterm | Large bushings are dense and transport can be significant. | Compare on the same delivery term and destination. |
Why comparing only unit price can be expensive
A lower line-item price is not valuable if the bore is wrong, the keyway cannot be installed, or the mating taper is inconsistent. The practical cost is the delivered, usable part plus the maintenance consequence of a mismatch. That is why a dimensional sample and clear acceptance criteria matter on recurring purchases.
Standard bore vs custom machining
Stock-bore configurations reduce ambiguity when the required combination is listed. Custom bores, special keys or material changes should be quoted from a drawing or detailed RFQ. Do not assume the custom operation is just “drill the hole larger”; shaft fit, keyseat geometry and remaining wall section must still be appropriate.
How to get an accurate quotation
Send one line per model with quantity, bore, keyway, material, mating component and destination. If several models are needed for distributor stock, provide the mix rather than one total quantity. If the part is being reverse-engineered, include A/B/D or family-specific dimensions and photographs before requesting a firm price.
Value means repeatability
For ongoing supply, track inspection results, marking consistency, packaging and the ability to reorder the same configuration. A slightly cheaper part that requires repeated engineering clarification can create more purchasing work than a clearly controlled item.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same bushing model receive different prices?
Bore/keyway, material, quantity, documentation, delivery term and timing can change the commercial scope.
Can I get an accurate quote from a photo alone?
A photo can identify the family, but a firm quote usually needs the model or dimensions, bore/keyway, quantity and material requirement.
Related products and resources
Need help with a real application?
Send the model, shaft diameter, keyway or drawing so the enquiry can be checked against the correct bushing family.