Yeah, I was a machinst for 20 years. I owned a small shop for 5 years until we had so many plant closings that I couldn't keep the guys busy. I was never much into sheet metal, but I figured some expanded metal with a thin sheet folded over the edges and silver soldered or brazed into place would secure the edges and give me a place for drilling mounting holes. If worse comes to worst. I'd like an original piece, but I may have to make do.
I keep an eye on ebay when I think about it, also EHAM, I'll look at QTH more closely in the future. Thanks!