posted 07-15-2006 07:30 AM
These tools look to be custom machined. That would explain their cost. Even my machine shop friend does not like to do any work for less than $100 an hour and that's the friends rate with free setup!I can see they built a plastic prototype from Robert's photo !
In hindsight, thinking about the $2000 per tool, if the design and engineering Autocad work was factored in, setup, materials (probably a special aluminum alloy the least expensive part of the process), setup, machining, and QC labwork, I would say NASA got a bargain with the lowest bidder.
As a side question does NASA/JSC have an in-house machine shop ? They could reduce costs by having in house GS-8 thru GS-11's on elevated scales running around building quality things.
Now having said they got a bargain, yes and no - did they make every attempt to find a COTS program substitute ? This in itself costs money, which is why once they pick something it seems to stick around for years ! They may have tried with Home depot putty knives and expensive gourmet all metal spatulas and found the metal would crack, snap or burr when they went to modify it. This failed experiment has already cost a few thousand. Before we go further should we outsource this to the lowest bidder ? Someone apparently thought this was wise.
You see folks, even when it seems simple, running a space program can be tough, with no easy choices. The next time you hear someone try to point out a $2000 "spatula" as evidence that NASA wastes money, give them these thoughts as an earfull 
[This message has been edited by kyra (edited July 15, 2006).]
[This message has been edited by kyra (edited July 15, 2006).]
posted 07-14-2006 10:28 AM
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