getting an al extrusion made

I have researched getting a custom aluminum extrusion made and am a little confused about the whole process. Maybe one of you that have been through this can help.

I called a company that I know that does hard AL aerospace alloys and they sent me to Cressona who says that they won't do volumes under about 10,000# and they sent me to their website (Alcoa) who lists suppliers. Talking to a local supplier I learned that they have to go through their buyer (corporate) who then has to go to one of the mills and then back through the chain to me. My experience has been that the more exchanges there are the more money gets tacked on to the quote.

1. Can any of you recommend an affordable mill that I can deal

*directly* with and that will make a custom extrusion if I order 300# of 6061 or 6063 aluminum? Preferably one in the NW.

1. What is a *fair* price to pay for a simple die (a small tee or h shape)? I know from the last company I worked for that mills (in this case casting) mark up tooling *considerably*.
2. Any sources that have a *lot* of standard shapes I can choose from (preferably online)? So far I have the Tiernay catalog but none of the shapes are quite exactly what I'm after. If I can find something really close I won't have to go custom.

Thanks folks!

Joe