I live in a city where mold making, plastic injection and glass making are the tree biggest industries here. You can literally throw a rock anywhere and you hit at least 4 different mold making shops. From small garages with a couple machines to big shops fully equipped to the brim with the latest technology and tooling.
So, whether one likes it or not (I like it), one ends up learning a little bit of machining regardless. Then, it up to that person if he/she wants to expand that knowledge or not.
Living in a city like this, creates a little bit of an issue for an hobbyist, although I do some costumer work as well. Which is the price of tooling. Not small guy friendly at all. Everything gets super expensive.
As far as repairing the head, if the engine shop guy doesn't fix it himself, I'll do it my self. Nothing fancy. The valve stem poked a 8 mm hole on the head, so I'll drill to 8.5 mm and tap to either M10x1.5 or M10x1 mm fine thread and probably countersink the hole and put a countersunk bolt there. Depends on the space and thickness of the material.
Another option I thought, was to simply machine a plug, probably aluminium and press it in there. Maybe some Loctite 603, although, it may no hold the heat. Finally I would hammer the plug on the inside of the exhaust port, almost like a rivet, to make sure it doesn't come out.