For a few questions, it isn't hard to cut these, but you should be using a magnifying lamp. Metal has more resistance that wood, so it is pretty easy to control. If you use 50 cent pieces, you can just hold the coin with your hands, no jig required. You will need Jewelers blades 0/3 from Mikes or 0/2 and 0/4 from Sloans. The blades will break often, just get used to it, they are pretty cheap.
To start with, use a pattern that doesn't require drilled holes in tight spaces, and use bigger bits to drill the holes. (you will need to use a bit of oil). Works a lot better if you can figure out where to drill the holes before you put the pattern on because any oil on the pattern will cause it to lift. Use a center punch to create a dent to start the holes, fill that dent with oil, then drill for just a second at a time, letting the bit cool for a few seconds between.
Ironically, to the outside observer, it looks like the cutting is the hard part, it isn't. It is getting the holes drilled without destroying the pattern. On my complex projects, I glue on the pattern, center punch the holes, then smother with oil and drill (knowing full well the pattern will come off completely before the last hole is drilled. Then I wash the coin with soap to remove all the oil, and re-glue on a fresh new pattern. I line up the new pattern by shining a light under the coin so that the holes show up on the pattern above the coin, and I align it before the glue completely sets.
Do try this, one you get your first one done, you will be addicted, I promise.
--------Randy
