This Paper reports part of an investigation into techniques and economics of hot stamping die manufacture. The estimating methods in current use in five firms are analysed and the results show the necessity for a new approach to the problem of estimating manufacturing costs. A time study technique was used which enabled equations to be derived to facilitate time estimation and comparison of efficiency of different machining methods in a particular situation. By the use of the appropriate equations, more accurate estimates of manufacturing time may be made by a person with no knowledge of the die making industry, than are at present made by highly skilled personnel.