Bill Wallace wrote: some snippage...
I usually rough cut these at the bandsaw and sand them down to finish
>but on these bigger pieces I would really like to get an accurate cut.
>Local metal machine shop gave a verbal estimate of $150 each.
Somebody really want to make these worth their while.
I'm hoping I can find someone with a wood cutting CNC that would like some
>business for a bunch less than that. I don't think shipping would be
>to bad in the states.
>Anybody have any ideas?
1) Start with a search of local companies. Most architectural woodwork shops have finally made it into the
90's and have CNC routers and point-to-points to supplement their recent discovery of Excel and Word for Windows. For a list do a search of Architectural Woodworking Institute (AWI). You can also tap the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM). These guys aren't quite as bad at bottom feeding at the AWI folks and have had teknology for a couple/few more.
2) Make some calls to a local Vo-Tech (a true Vo-Tech, one that has equipment/is training for industry) and see if they can work it into the curriculum. Chances are they wouldn't mind making a couple/few dollars on the side that doesn't have to pass through the *usual channels*.
3) Have one made and use it as your template. At a hunnert fifty a crack you can buy a pretty awesome Onsrud inverted pin router (used). Hell for $150 the template should be solid aluminum or at least phenolic. :-)
4) Back when Al Gore's Whirled Wide Web was actually searchable I had a link to a clearinghouse for people with CNC machines who wanted to job out down time. I'll leave it to you to thumb through eleventy million hits on Google until you get the right search argument, if it even still exists.
UA100