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Not to put words in to tallstory's request I don’t think he is looking for a professional to do it. He seems to have already gone down that route.
Just someone to help out with a couple of bits.
The communications would be the drawing. Tool wear on this would be nothing as long as you have a lathe and a tool bit. BMS is easy to get and postage for one of of these would be less than £3.

I think the most expensive part of a one off job done by someone being either professional or semi is lost opportunity.
While they're spending time and resources on your work they aren't earning the going rate nor caring for their valuable punters that help them pay their bills.
I spent less than £200 on a model makers' hobby lathe which along with two years of Comprehensive School metal work enables me to tackle such jobs. Before I bought it I could have probably converted a coach bolt into your drawing using an electric drill secured in a vice, a file and emery cloth.

Even far from being professional in engineering, my stumbling stone in offering such a service is simply time, to me it's rare and valuable. I'm now retired and don't handle stress too well. Taking others' work on is a responsibility.

I’ve tried to send you a private message, but for some reason it’s not sending.

What’s your budget ?

Amazing what you can lathe with a simple electric drill held in a vice, usually just a small hacksaw blade or files will make whatever you need. For more precise parts I found using a hand held grinder is fantastic, the speed of the grinder wheel matches the speed of the drill but at 90 degrees so you end up with very precise cutting. For many years this was my only way of lathing all parts until I saved up to buy a proper lathe and mill. I still occasionally use this method when can't be bothered walking to my machine shop all of 30 ft away.....in fact used it just tonight to linish a steel shaft I'd rough lathed earlier to get a precise fit.

Back in the days when I was doing this sort of thing, I would probably have done it for £20, although many requesting such a job would probably have expected to pay a fiver, (including postage). I would be really interested to know what you have been quoted.

Is this what you're looking for ?


This took me just under 2 hours to make, plus the material (plus of course 2 hours lost time from my normal working day)

So, what would you think would be a fair price for it ?

Geordy
I have replied to your pm - sorry for the delay. Yes that looks great. Twenty years ago I would price a job like this with some certainty but I live in the past and I don't want to undervalue you. I would be happier if you pm'd me a price you are happy with. BTW the commercial firm wanted £90 plus VAT and postage. Thanks for taking an interest.

Good job Geordy55

There you go Tallstory, you didn't need worry about trying to make one after all.
Geordie had one all the time!

badpenny wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:24 pm Geordie had one all the time!

Mmmmmmm

Just to add to the thread, you can see the parts I hired a machinist to make for my Mini Match here: http://pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2021/ ... ected.html