Original Ask:

Looking for the fastest of the fast for prototypes that should be fairly simple for a jig.

Sheetmetal, laser or waterjet cut, a few folds, low tolerance, maybe a simple weldment.

About the size of a lunch box.

Ideally in the Bay Area to not lose another day in shipping…

If they work weekends, that would help too.

Responses:

We have done a ton of business with these guys.  They have dialed in their process for rapid turn-arounds:
https://rapidmanufacturing.com/rapid-sheet-metal/

PERIDOT  http://www.peridotcorp.com/

http://www.groupmanufacturing.com   San Jose, a do-it-all shop, no weekends, ask for Curtis- tell him Charles Alexander sent you

http://www.adv-laser.com  Santa Clara, fast if you badger them, not sure about folds and welding

E-M  http://www.emmanufacturing.com/

Eclipse  http://eclipsemf.com/

Sometimes these guys can do it that fast.  East coast, though, and they’re more on the precision end.

http://www.incodema.com/index.aspx

I haven't worked with them in five years so I can't vouch for current status but... super fast, high quality, and cheap (the impossible three ; )

Advanced Component Technology

Address: 2865 Spring St, Redwood City, CA 94063

Phone: (650) 365-2801

Georg Hellerich

georg@acth.com

Fred Lude of the Model Studio in San Jose is a great guy and has often helped us out with last minute projects: http://fre466.wixsite.com/fred

You can try Kevin Binkert at SMP (Standard Metal Products) on Bryant @ 3/4 in SF. He runs a machine shop with a water jet.