MT.O Challenge Coin

[snowbound]

Tofty - if at some point there's a model that might benefit from being attempted in metal, let me know. If the model is posted on Shapeways (or similar) I can print out a copy and then try a sand-cast in pewter (for rough adjustments in draft/etc) and then Bronze.

Depending on the overall shape it may be cheaper overall to have a commercial foundry make a mold from a master model and then run a bunch. I believe (and don't hold me to it me here, I'm going on second hand info from another list I'm on..) that's something like $60 to make a mold for waxes, and around a $10/item charge in lots of 100+ pieces. Just for some random ballpark numbers.

[Tofty]

Hi all,
Just to let you know i'm on holiday at the moment, in Tokyo of all places and have been a little distracted from this project.
not to worry though, on my return i'll be doing the drawings i said i would and showing off the first draft of the face graphics.

Thanks snowbound, once i've finalised the design i'll get in touch.
There appear to be two standard ways of making coins: Casting and striking, and it depends on the pattern detail as to which is most appropriate. The design will probably end up as a relatively simple and bold design so hopefully casting, which i believe  to be the cheaper option, will be the right option.

[Raukodur]

Wonder when Tofty is back.

[Tofty]

Wonder no more Raukodur.

I'm still not properly caught up on stuff so i'll do a proper update soon...ish.

Turns out i discovered a few things on my travels:

Firstly this coin has been done before.



At least this project has precedent now.


Secondly this project is now completely defunct as i've already found the best coin there will ever be.



I can't compete with that.

[Raukodur]

 

Good to see you back 

[Doraemon]

Time for some more.........

firstly here are the renders of nuphoria's spannered coin and my coin being used with a 60mm bit holder.

(Image removed from quote.)

I really like the right hand side coin.  That is my favorite design so far.  Just a coin, with a cool logo, that does one extra thing very well.

I second what Mr. Whippy said, ultimately it is a coin, looking like one, and it has one extra purpose (making it a multi-tool)

Also I like the design very, very much. I will buy it as it is. The one on the right.

[livan]

[Raukodur]

Tofty, when can we expect to see some 3d mockups of the latest design suggestions/modifications?

[Raukodur]

bump.

[Tofty]

If i haven't done them by friday you can kick me.

[Tofty]

Here's the nearly finished render of the coin.





A few small changes and additions needed but overall this is how i want the coin to look.

[Steinar]

Google Translate autodetects "parati" as Italian, so we get: wallpaper pro opus

Machine translation and language detection is sometimes fun.

[Taxi Dad]

i'm sorry i've come late to the party, but i was just wondering if the size of this was going to be close to the size of a £ coin ? then it could be used in those horrid shopping trolly release things we have when you don't hve a coin

[Raukodur]

upload pic

So this is what I had in mind. You would retain the simple design and function of the hex driver, while allowing it to be easily attached to a keyring, and act as a keyring itself.

Tofty, you had mentioned you would do a 3d mockup of this? Or is there not any point if the design has now been finalised?

[stealth007s]

Here's the nearly finished render of the coin.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

A few small changes and additions needed but overall this is how i want the coin to look.

This looks really great!¡!

[Threeme2189]

I like it :-)
But is it possible to add room for a split ring for those of us that want to attach it to a keychain without interfering with the middle hex cutout?

Sent from my StoneTablet using Chiseltalk II

[Taxi Dad]

+ 1 to that 
(well said, I couldn't think how to say it clearly  )

[Tofty]

Steinar wrote:
Google Translate autodetects "parati" as Italian, so we get: wallpaper pro opus
Machine translation and language detection is sometimes fun.

Tofty: Yes thankyou, now i'll never be able to take it seriously again.
The exact translation is i think "prepared for deed", more a motto for the actual coin to aspire to but never mind.
At least the Italian translation isn't rude of offensive so it could be worse.


Taxi Dad wrote:
i'm sorry i've come late to the party, but i was just wondering if the size of this was going to be close to the size of a £ coin ? then it could be used in those horrid shopping trolly release things we have when you don't hve a coin

Tofty: No sorry, the coin will be about 40mm across, about the same as a £5 coin or silver dollar.
It's a nice idea but you'd get no grip at all on such a small coin to turn it.


Raukodur wrote:
Tofty, you had mentioned you would do a 3d mockup of this? Or is there not any point if the design has now been finalised?

Tofty: Don't worry i will, although the design for this first coin is pretty much finalised it doesn't mean it's not worth still working on other designs for the future and this coin design can easily be printed by shapeways as well so you could have one to try out in a month or so.


Stealth007s wrote:
This looks really great!¡!

Tofty: Thanks Stealth, here's the pretty much completely finished version.



The motto banner has been thinned down and text has been added for the driver.


Threeme2189 wrote:
I like it :-)
But is it possible to add room for a split ring for those of us that want to attach it to a keychain without interfering with the middle hex cutout?

Taxi Dad wrote:
+ 1 to that 
(well said, I couldn't think how to say it clearly  )

Tofty: I looked into it but there isn't a suitable spot that won't ruin the design on at least one of the sides.
The best option would be for me to drill a hole for those that want one while leaving the coin as is for the rest.


@snowbound: I re-read your post and realised you plan on using a coin from shapeways as the master.
I'm not sure if any of the materials are good enough to be used as a master form, perhaps the ultra-detail plastic but even then the surface will be relatively rough.

I found a coin making company who do a free quotation and even provide a test coin before production.
I'll get a quote from them and see what their price range is like.

I'm wondering if something like a kickstarter is a good idea to guarantee available funds, anyway something to think about.

[Syph007]

One of my other hobbies is arcade machine building and on that forum we get arcade tokens minted.  They take pre-orders and if enough funds are raised to fund the cost of the run, it goes ahead.  Normally each person is buying 200-500 tokens though so the scale is a bit different to this idea.  I guess you'd have to have an idea of cost ahead of time to see what makes sense.

[Tofty]

The company i've been looking at has minimum orders of 50 with a one time die cost of $120, but order 300+ and they absorb the cost of the die.
I won't say how much each coin costs because it changes with quantity, and i'm sure with complexity, but it's certainly not what i would call too much.

I've just emailed them and i'll relay what their response is when it comes.

~If your interested it's these guys: http://www.coinsyourway.com/

PS: Syph007 do you have a link to some of these gaming tokens? They sound like they would be worth a look at.

[Syph007]

PS: Syph007 do you have a link to some of these gaming tokens? They sound like they would be worth a look at.

Here are some pics of ones I have. I bought in for 2 years so I have 2 different versions.  Both are done in brass.









They're still sold here I think.  http://arcadetokens.com/

[J-sews]

Tofty,
What is the outside diameter you are thinking of? Looks like about 30 - 35mm on your renderings..?

I'm thinking it would be best if all MTO challenge coins (present and future) were about the same size. Makes a collection seem more like a set. So anyhow, even though this first design may be on the simple-ish side and therefore can be made small, we should leave ourselves enough space to fit future - perhaps more complex - designs into the same size coin down the road.

So I'd like to propose we go no smaller than 35mm (1-3/8")

[rayraychil]

I think it should be kept as simple as possible, so a hex in the middle and rounded edges (like the ones on top/no spoke wrenches) all the way around. Nothing more..

This, but make the edge like the pocket screwdriver so it can be used on different sizes of screws.

(Image removed from quote.)


Maybe lower the 1/4 hole, place a double sided leatherman flat/phillips bit in the middle and the full name on top.

(Image removed from quote.)

I really like this idea enki_ck
I do not ride bikes so a spoke wrench does not attract me.
 If it is a wrench I like Nuphoria's idea with metric or standard slots.

+1, I like the coin driver too.

+1  From me also for the coin drive, simple and useful.

That would also make it easier to carry on a spring clip on a keyring 

+1 on a coin driver too it looks cool as well as useful   

[Agent X68]

Tofty,
What is the outside diameter you are thinking of? Looks like about 30 - 35mm on your renderings..?

I'm thinking it would be best if all MTO challenge coins (present and future) were about the same size. Makes a collection seem more like a set. So anyhow, even though this first design may be on the simple-ish side and therefore can be made small, we should leave ourselves enough space to fit future - perhaps more complex - designs into the same size coin down the road.

So I'd like to propose we go no smaller than 35mm (1-3/8")

+1  In addition to looking nice, this would allow us to leave the outside form untouched and change some of the text between years if we don't want to do a full redesign of the coin each time a new design is minted.

[snowbound]

@snowbound: I re-read your post and realised you plan on using a coin from shapeways as the master.
I'm not sure if any of the materials are good enough to be used as a master form, perhaps the ultra-detail plastic but even then the surface will be relatively rough.

If not, I have a friend with a 3D resin printer that I may be able to bribe into printing one out for me.. technically that resin can be burnt out for lost-wax casting, so it's pretty high detail.

If there's a 3D model available (shapeways or offline) send me a link (or PM me and I'll send an email addr) and I'll print one out and give it a try in pewter for the heck of it

[Tofty]

@Suph007: Love those tokens, makes mine look a bit pants.


Jsaws wrote:
Tofty,
What is the outside diameter you are thinking of? Looks like about 30 - 35mm on your renderings..?

I'm thinking it would be best if all MTO challenge coins (present and future) were about the same size. Makes a collection seem more like a set. So anyhow, even though this first design may be on the simple-ish side and therefore can be made small, we should leave ourselves enough space to fit future - perhaps more complex - designs into the same size coin down the road.

So I'd like to propose we go no smaller than 35mm (1-3/8")

Agent X68 wrote:
+1  In addition to looking nice, this would allow us to leave the outside form untouched and change some of the text between years if we don't want to do a full redesign of the coin each time a new design is minted.

Tofty: The outside diameter of the coin is now 1-3/4" (around 45mm).
I like both of your thinking, it's all about future proofing the idea.
I must admit a row of anything looks better if they're all the same size but it must be said that implementing some of the ideas in this thread would mean deviating from the standard coin size by quite a bit and even the coin shape itself.


rayraychil wrote:
+1 on a coin driver too it looks cool as well as useful   

Tofty: Well tough titties!
But seriously, that design or elements of it make a strong contender for a future coin design.


snowbound wrote:
If not, I have a friend with a 3D resin printer that I may be able to bribe into printing one out for me.. technically that resin can be burnt out for lost-wax casting, so it's pretty high detail.

If there's a 3D model available (shapeways or offline) send me a link (or PM me and I'll send an email addr) and I'll print one out and give it a try in pewter for the heck of it

Tofty: Sure thing, PM me and i'll send you the coin in an STL. file.


@Raukodur: Sorry but your not allowed to kick me after all.



Let me know what you think and i can upload it onto shapeways if you want to get one.
The text could do with improving though.


Right onto MT.O coin progress;
I've had the initial quote back from the coin people and despite them redrawing my designs from scratch instead of using the model i deem it be be suitable.
I will therefore be starting a sign-up thread to show interest in the coin so we can judge numbers.
Look out for it sometime early tomorrow probably.

[stealth007s]

I'd get one or three What's the price estimate

[MadPlumbarian]

Thats pretty cool, is that what your going with? JR

[Raukodur]

Let me know what you think and i can upload it onto shapeways if you want to get one.
The text could do with improving though.

Many thanks for the 3d mockup Tofty 

So this has the same central hex driver function as the coin design we are going with, but can be attached to a keyring, and have other things attached to it. Also, the same design can be put onto it.

IMO this would have been a better choice 

[zoidberg]

I like the three sided over the six, without the holes. It would have been nice to be able to hang it but I don't think it adds too much more function. IMO using the room for the design/writing adds some style points.