Boogieman, 100% on the money. If it were something like taking a set of prints to a machine shop and having the pulleys turned out, then likely the whole deal would cost less than $4-500. However, as you mention, there is a lot of upfront work that goes into it, and those costs have to be accounted for somewhere. Plus, let's be perfectly frank, this is this mans livelihood, so just like any other normal person, he is expected to tack on a fair profit margin. But a profit margin isn't intended to cover development costs, prototyping costs, hundreds of hours of development costs, utilities, etc... Seems like his profit margin given all the additional costs besides material/labor for making the parts is pretty reasonable. I've seen MUCH worse, for instance a normal 12V relay that my company makes and sells to the Big 3 for $1-$1.10, being sold at the dealership for $27!(no sh$#!!!!) No additional packaging after it leaves our doors, only distribution costs, and dealer markup. 2700% profit, now that is LUDICROUS! Unfortunately, it is out of my price range too, or I might consider it. My ScottOiler works fine, but a truly clean, "maintenance free" drive system would be great...
