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Modding Am I paying too much? Acrylic Services...

Discussion in 'Modding' started by shokka9, 4 May 2017.

  1. shokka9

    shokka9 What's a Dremel?

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    Hi all

    Thanks for reading. Okay, so I have emailed an acrylic specialist, who typically manufacture display stands etc.

    I sent them a sketch of what I wanted to make, which was a cover piece for my PSU/HDDs at the bottom of my PC (you see them a lot here ;-)).

    It's 400mm wide, 320mm long, with a 90 degree bend at 150mm (going across the 400mm). I also added a small cut at the back, more of a notch. I asked for 3mm black acrylic.

    I am being quoted £22.00 + VAT & P&P. I am by no means cheap, but I can buy a lot of acrylic for £30 or so it will end up costing me.

    If anyone wants to chime in, let me know. I know I've not asked for something crazy, just a bend and notch out.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. davido_labido

    davido_labido Your Alphacool Contact.

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    The problem isn't just the materials but the time it will take them and they are using the tools for, which means they can't make anything else which could earn them more money.

    £30+ is expensive, but try find someone local to cut the cost of delivery down. Alternatively, make it yourself?
     
  3. Vault-Tec

    Vault-Tec Green Plastic Watering Can

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    That's a few mm larger than A3, which I pay £10 inc from Trent Plastics (5mm though !). Usually for an A3 3mm sheet I would pay around £7 or so. Trent are slightly more expensive than others but their acrylic seems to be the easiest to work with.

    Going larger makes it far cheaper. When I took on Dianoga -

    [​IMG]

    I used a ton of the stuff.. IIRC it was £17.88 for 1m x 50cm.

    TBH I am not sure what I would charge if I were bending and shaping it. Depends, but you are asking some one to basically make something custom for you and that, unfortunately, will cost money.

    It sounds very expensive, but then I guess time is money. It's easy to bend acrylic with a workbench and a heat gun, but again they cost money.
     
  4. shokka9

    shokka9 What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks for the reply guys.

    I'm a project manager in construction (various disciplines), and I ask people for materials, fabrication, etc all day every day.

    So, when I received the quote, I was a little bit shocked. I appreciated that it is a custom piece, but they already bend acrylic for all their current products. It's not like I'm asking for something they have never done before.

    I will an email over Trent Plastics, see what they come back with. I also know, it's not a massive amount of money in the first place. But.........

    I could try it myself, I've a modded an Apple Mac Pro case to fit most of these components in in my previous build. I'm handy with tools, so it's not something I couldn't do. However, this is like the final piece of the jigsaw for me, and I would like it done right, first time. So, all I maybe have to do is some filing etc (no problem).

    Thanks again guys, just gave me some perspective.
     
  5. shokka9

    shokka9 What's a Dremel?

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    Well, little update.....

    I called them today, to see how much they wanted to charge for postage, and I almost had a coronary.

    £17.00 postage costs. Total order cost was £45 something.....

    Only this week, I sent a bag (larger than this item), boxed, weighed just over 1kg, to China, for £18.00. I am sending to a manufacturer to make me a sample for one of my clients (unrelated to my day job!).

    So, there is no chance I'm paying that much postage for this.

    So, I will buy a sheet of acrylic, and make this myself. It's the only way I guess.
     
  6. shokka9

    shokka9 What's a Dremel?

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    Another update, another quote...

    £45 + VAT and P&P.

    So, it makes the first quote look cheap! I'll just buy my own, and heat gun.
     

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