for those who say the hobby is "expensive"

[Marshall V. Daut]

Yup. I'm thinking old school plating costs. It's been 20+ years since I had anything chrome plated because the shops around here are too dishonest, lazy or out of business to do anything. 'Gave up on trying to get anything plated in this do-as-little-as-possible work philosophy area.
'Might be cheaper to buy new if available than to get old replated anywhere these days.
Marshall