I can only speak of machine shops from what the shops I use tell me but they say it's not a hugely profitable business and for the time I imagine they have to invest to do R&D on the projects plus unpaid time sourcing parts I would believe them, front end work I have always heard and can see how it's quite profitable but then again ask that same guy 30 years later as he is more than likely a cripple if it was all worth it....
