[Matt Stephenson]

This is an interesting discussion on castings etc. I'm only quoting prices that I've been given, and I can only assume that the local engineering and foundry firms here aren't interested on what they consider to be small volume. Most places here are regularly engaged in doing work and major projects for local industry, so I'm guessing that's the reason for the prohibitive pricing.

I did at one point consider doing my own castings for data plates etc however even the set up for that was beginning to be cost prohibitive, and then the technical aspects of metal shrinkage from casting and addatives to the molten metal to ensure flow in the mould etc was beginning to get beyond my own modest abilities.

As for CNC machining, the bulk of the cost was on art/design development and the program for the machine. Add on top of that a cost of $150 per hour for the machine, it quickly adds up.....and that's before the cost of the metal you're having machined.

As for shopping around, tried that too however the prices were much the same.

Lately I've found out about sintered metal 3D printing being done by a group in Sydney. As I've already paid for the art/design work for 3D printing, I'm looking into that option and its relative cost.

If the cost in NZ is that much more competative, I might consider getting castings done across the ditch. Clearly were getting ripped off here.

Dale, the pic of the data plate you attached is unlike any I've seen before. Are you certain its not a reproduction? It's quite unusual in that it appears to be brass? And slightly larger than the cast iron data plates found on the front guards of early LP2's. Perhaps you should confer with some more learned persons on the subject before copying that type.

I've been trying to attach some pics but my smartphone is being dumb, and as I'm supposed to be working, I cant get near a real computer at the moment.