yep went with qx7 at 104$ kinda no brainer. thing that probably really sold me is it looks well liked in reviews and looks like i won't have any problems with support when needed.
something else i have thought about that i could offer to the community. as i mentioned in first post, i'm a cnc machinist, actually have my own cnc mill in the basement, not hobby grade machine either, full on 3 axis, and cad/cam software to design and program it. been in trade for 33 years, most of the stuff i make i never get to see what it actually does.
anyway, if someone was in need of such service for the rc hobby, i'd be willing to do it probably just for the fun of it, unless there were any expensive materials involved. i have several scraps and bits of aluminum and plastic around, have worked with carbon fiber as well.
only other rule i'd have is it has to be fun and no super quick time constraints.
if it is something super involved, id just give you a quote for it. or some trading and bartering.