Originally posted by MJSfoto1956 Would you be willing to ask them what the cost would be for ten? I would imagine that there are at least nine other people on this list that would be willing to pitch in...
That gets it down to $145 per part, which is still more than RRS charges. Judging from my plinking around with the automated quote system, I'd need to order 25 or more to get it down to the Mestos price.
I think the issue is that CNC machining these requires a solid block of aluminum that is 100mm x 60mm x 40mm, and even though the considerable waste can be easily recycled, the rough volume is still needed. I can try to simplify the design, or use a different alloy of aluminum (magnesium instead of zinc), or forgo some of the beadblast finishing, etc., but I think there is a reason these things cost what they do (although emachineshop marks things up).
Too bad plastic won't hold up to the stress, since I know folks with a very nice 3D printer which would bring the cost under $10!