Sort through rubber and plastic machining services to decide which is right for you

Evaluate the relative costs of rubber and plastic machining services and purchasing your own equipment. Depending on your requirements for turnaround time and volume, you may find that working with a high quality provider of contract machining services is more convenient and less expensive than servicing and supplying your own machining equipment.

I recommend: Blue Grass Manufacturing offers contract machining in a wide variety of materials, while East Branch Engineering offers machining services for both plastics and rubbers.

Consult vendor directories to find the extrusion equipment you need

Shopping briefly through the variety of available vendors will help you get a feel for what's on the market. The more familiar you are with what's available, the easier it is to decide what's right for you. Don't forget that vendors must compete for your business, and many are willing to give discounts or other perks like reduced shipping in order to win your continuing business if you only ask.

I recommend: ThomasNet can lead you to a variety of US suppliers for rubber extruding equipment. You'll find companies like OEM Press Systems, a California-based worldwide manufacturer of press and manufacturing equipment for plastics and rubber as well as a variety of other materials.

Try used plastic processing equipment and rubber processing equipment on for size

A wide variety of used rubber processing equipment and plastic processing machinery is easily available. If cost is on your list of "cons" for owning and running your own equipment, buying used might tip the balance back to "pro."

I recommend: Federal Equipment sells both new and used extruder and processing equipment, while RubberAndPlasticsEquipment.com specializes in used equipment with both rubber and plastic available.