As far as I can tell (I just installed a copy of 1.7.2 in MultiMC to check), refined iron isn't obtainable in build 484, but it isn't needed either - NEI shows no usages of it, and in build 484, the advanced machine casing only requires a basic machine casing, two carbon plates, and two advanced alloy.
Thank you so much for going the extra mile for the answer. I hadn't explored all the recipes, but coming from IC2 classic, I figured it was needed at some point.
Chocohead.... thank you pointing out the obvious =) I knew it was not a live version, but it is what I can play.