Good point Tod, That is why I said you need to contemplate your navel.............. There certainly are jobs, that are so far outside your capability - skill and tools - that they should be left to the pros; but I think you do yourself an injustice when you think the pros do a better job than you can. Just remember they are working on a time and material basis, and you the owner, are not interested in paying astronomic charges even for superlative work. That is exactly where you have a major advantage. You know how you want the work to look; you aren't charging labor by the hour to yourself, so you can spend as long as it please you to get the job done. If it takes you twice as long to do the job as it takes the pro, does it really matter? ........... and No, I don't make my own metal fittings, though I have made wooden cleats and fittings for my Car Topper. ......... and I don't do my own taxes either! ......... but I bet if you had practiced playing the piano it might not sound exactly like Van Cliburn, but you could probably play some mean Boogie-Woogie, or sing along songs. Keep the faith. Connie