DIY amp case help with materials and HUGE pre made cost justification !

[Fivetide]

Right – so I have just got all my parts together to make my DIY Mighty Midget Valve Amplifier






which I’m making for my Dad’s 75’th birthday,( I don't think I will get it finished on time, but I'll try) I’d listened to one at my friends who had scratch built it without the PCB you can now get. And although not the most powerful in the world the sound from his record player was awesome.(why do I rant on, this is way off subject?) Also was the size consideration as I wanted to make the case myself and I only have a limited amount of working area. But I thought just to see how much I was saving I would get a quote from front Panel Express as Peter had done all the hard work to produce the necessary files. FPE forwarded the quote onto Schaeffer AG and below is the cost .. Translated into proper money would be **£154** ! The only thing I can’t do at the moment is screen print the front panel, but I was going to etch it out and then hand fill it with paint. Now I might be blowing smoke up my own arse here but it doesn’t look that complicated to me. I’ve done a couple of Objective headphone amp front and rears using the already created FPE files and it took me about 20 minutes for the first one and 2 minutes for the second. If I could buy the materials cut to size, (and I already have all the taps needed and some funky hex head bolts left over from another project) I’m sure I could bring in the case for far less than £154 even with my time.

The problem is I can’t put my money where my mouth is just yet as all my equipment is packaged up ready for the imminent MOVE FROM HELL ! lol.
But I would like to get your thoughts on this and if anyone can supply the materials cut to size and give me a quote please. Front Panel Express files are attached.new_midget_FPE_files(1).zip

Quote Customer no. Supplier no. Method of payment Your order number Your VAT-ID no.
903503 26993 Credit Card
Pos Quantity Order no. Description Sum Discount Unit price Total
10 1 Creation of file: bottom.fpd - Thickness: 2,0 mm 29,21 € 0,0% 29,21 € 29,21 €
20 1 Creation of file: front.fpd - Thickness: 2,0 mm 30,91 € 0,0% 30,91 € 30,91 €
30 1 Creation of file: rear.fpd - Thickness: 2,0 mm 35,75 € 0,0% 35,75 € 35,75 €
40 1 Creation of file: top.fpd - Thickness: 2,0 mm 33,71 € 0,0% 33,71 € 33,71 €
50 2 GLGP1021 Side profile 2, anodized, Length: 254,0 mm 6,33 € 0,0% 6,33 € 12,66 €
60 1 GGMS1102 Assembly kit ISP/B3.0-ZI DIN 7982, white galvanized
consists of 8x countersunk head screws ø2.9
x 9.5 mm and 4 self-adhesive rubber feet ø8
mm, height 2.5 mm
2,17 € 0,0% 2,17 € 2,17 €
Shipping costs: 'UPS Standard': 6,95 € 6,95 €
Subtotal 151,36 €
VAT (19,0%) of 151,36 € 28,76 €
Invoice amount 180,12 €