I can only guess that you've never machined Stainless steel Steve ?
You need to run very slowly, Plenty of coolant, Don't allow the tools to dwell as it work hardens the stainless.
All not easy for a DIY er not prepared for it.
Jim
I have found Golden arrow to be good in the past. Although they did keep phoning me at one stage asking me to pay VAT which I already had done.
I know they're not cheap but it sounds more like a typing error to me.
Speak to them in person. Speak to the engineer who worked on it and check if the invoice relates to the time spent.
If it does then you can argue the amount on the grounds of they should have communicated an expected cost to you.
Jim
I can just imagine that on Kingfisher !
something like . . . . . .
" Oh look the little devil's squirted him . . . . "
" Oh dear! . . . Oh My! . . . . "
Tough times Matt.
There's no shortcut. It just takes time. Many of us in the club have been down that road and there's not much we can say or do to ease your pain.
It WILL get easier with time and thinking of your dad will bring more smiles than tears ! !
Good luck.
Jim