Newbie- Where to begin?

[W3bbo]

Hi,

I hope I'm posting in the appropriate forum, but basically I'm looking to get a two one-off aluminium (or other lightweight material) parts made to replace an existing part.

The existing part is an injection-moulded rubberised plastic material, since this is a one-off job I can't afford the expense of getting a custom tool made so I'm happy with cut/machined aluminium, or any other material that's lightweight.

The part is a footplate for a bocking stilt; in this photo they're the black plates your feet go ( http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Powerizers.jpg ). As you can see they've got a 3D shape with a long lip/tounge at the back and screwholes in the side for the footstraps, additionally the underside of the plate is such that it has grooves that fit onto the stilt's frames, then there are holes to save weight and for screws to attach them to the frame.

I'm looking to modify the design of these footplates so that they're rotated out more to compensate for outward foot rotation that a lot of people suffer from (myself included) since the design all bocking stilts share assumes that the user's feet face forward with the knees.

I don't know where to begin; I have googled around for light engineering and CNC/machining companies in and around my local area but no-one has replied or would consider handling one-off jobs.

So yeah, what do I do now?

Thanks

[ctate2000]

I can model in Pro E and build them. Email contact info and we can discuss.

[W3bbo]

Originally Posted by ctate2000 I can model in Pro E and build them. Email contact info and we can discuss.

I've sent you a PM with my details. Thanks.

[plastibob]

can you just add a couple of new mounting holes so that you can rotate it outward? Or make an adapter plate?

[W3bbo]

Originally Posted by plastibob can you just add a couple of new mounting holes so that you can rotate it outward? Or make an adapter plate?

Unfortunately no, the frame fits into a cut-out and a series of ridges on the underside of the plate. Cutting those away would ruin the plate. Then there are screwholes on the side that fit into the frame that wouldn't match anymore.

I reposted this to the Request for Quotes board and received replies from 4 people/companies now, so I should be set.