Finally!
I had ordered a metal aluminum panel from a recommended local welding shop. I did this because i was told that the stainless steel panel i had would be EXTREMELY difficult to drill through without buying a bunch of extra drill bits. So...I ordered the panel two months ago. I had to call the shop once a week, to check on it (because each time he told me it would be next week.) I kept patient, knowing that this was a small job for such an enormous shop, and I wasn't in a hurry. But get this: I gave a cardboard template, and everything about the template was right, except the width, which i not only explained to the boss, but wrote clearly on the panel.
I get the call to pick it up, one month and a week after order placed. When i get there, the guy is smiling, "Doesn't that look nice?" "Yes, but it's not the right size." You can see where this is going..."But it matches the cardboard piece!" Upon further inspection, he ends with, "I guess i took so long i forgot."
Now here we are, almost a month later, and I have the panel. I have to go in later today to pay, and i will be asking for a discount, for all the rigamarole (sp?)...
But here she is! Now i can hand it off to my bro-in-law to start the graphic work. So basically, i get it, give it away, and probably wait another month. Oh well. I'd rather have it done well. It's nice to have some progress, though. : )