Any idea might help me out, I think. So pictures of what is being suggested would be good.
My main concern here is not cheapness, but more words like quality, professional looking and bespoke. If the right DC socket was out there, but cost £5, then I'd probably go for it. I don't have a large parts bin to scavenge from either, as I'm just starting out. So, if I knew the right thing existed, I'd probably just buy it. Sadly, it seems this thing I want doesn't even exist, which I think is remarkable.
Why don't I just buy a commercial version of the entire thing that I'm making? Well, that's the bespoke angle, and the education angle... as they're gifts for people, then they love the fact that it's been made especially for them, but it would be nice to not have the plug soldered to the veroboard or reqiure screw-in terminals (although it was a good idea, colin mac)... a nice, neat, firm pluggable / unpluggable approach is best.
Happy new year to all!