[KurtB]

I'm feeling potent guilt-vibes flowing across my internet connection! :D Seriously, I do apologize. I got people all pumped up, and it was rude of me to not follow through in a firmer, and more methodical fashion.

Danny, there is no cost yet. Once the design is finalized, I'll let everyone know. I absolutely refuse to sell something that does not perform well. There are guys carving mint-state coins worth hundreds of $$, and it's critical that it doesn't slip under heavy cuts, AND doesn't mar the coin.

I am a hobby engraver, and a hobby machinist too. I have a normal (boring, long hours) job, kids, etc and just like everyone else, there's never enough time.

How about this? The fastest and cheapest setup to produce is going to be a single-end pinch collet in aluminum. I'll make a few of the original design in 2024 or preferably 7075 aluminum, and get more of them "tested". Be aware: Nickels seem to really vary in diameter, a lot more than I ever expected them to (almost 0.010" / 0.25mm), and for this type of collet closure device to work, it needs to be as close as possible to the true size of the coin. Ideally it'd be within 0.002". To make it accept, say, 85% of the nickels out there, I need to bore it open on the largish end of the size spectrum. This means it might not hold as well as one would like. But it's worth a try. I'll get some out to a few guys and get some more feedback. Maybe I won't need to go to some complex 2-piece design.