Looks very nice, wish I was half as skilled constructing computer plans!
Who was the 5th fabricator if you don't mind asking? If I (and others) can avoid disreputable fabricators and get a known good that'd be a good resource. Also can you share some specifics about what your case cost?
Sorry for the delay in answering this
@Ceros_X. I was trying to nail down the feet for this case. It is hard to get work contracted during the holidays. But now that I have them in the works, I feel more comfortable revealing more details about the "Chameleon".
The first shop was a laser cutting fab shop here in the Las Vegas area. When I look back at my experience with them I feel they just did not take my small project seriously (even though they stated on their site small runs accepted). As a result they pushed my project back in exchange for larger more profitable jobs without telling me, then just misinformed me about the status of my project until my dissatisfaction became evident. Needless to say they rushed the job then gave it to me for free to get me out of their hair.
While all that was happening, I had the wood shell being CNC'd at SRS Fabrication. If you contact them tell Brandon, Malcolm sent you. He was great to work with. He told me exactly how much it will cost and when it would be done. And when the job was delayed due to a required tool he had to ordewr, he called me to let me know how much more time was required and then delivered at that time. I was so impressed I asked him to fabricate Chameleon's frame. He looked at it but declined due to a big contract request at the sme time as my request. Very professional and I appreciated the courtesy.
So I spoke to the shop he referred me to, but file format incompatabilities and delays communicating those hurdles had me feeling dejavu from the first shop. So I moved to another shop I had previously scouted before I chose the first shop. "Vegas Laser and Waterjet"
Vegas Laser was also very professional. They referred me to my current fabricator "Durango Sheetmetal" because they did not have a CNC Punch machine, but knew Durango did. Much respect to Vegas Laser. You may have noticed I did not mention the names of the bad shops. If you start with these, there is no need to contact the others. If you contact Durango Sheetmetal in Las Vegas ask for Robert and tell him Malcolm sent you.
Costs to date are as follows:
$300 parts and labor for the frame from Durango Sheetmetal
$100 parts and labor to CNC 1/2" wood shell from SRS Fabrication
$200 parts and labor to machine and polish the aluminum feet (in progress)
$100 misc parts (fan,filter, vandal switch, screws, wood stain, laquer, etc) to finish the prototype
$700 Total
Unique PC case - Priceless
TBD powdercoat or anodizing costs
These costs could be reduced somewhat if I did the labor myself. Only problem is I would then have to factor in the cost of the machineary and tools required. If I did not learn anything else, I learned manufacturing is not cheap (especially in the US).
Hope this helps,
FCase
