A pair of metallic silver 316 stainless steel circular coin-shaped objects, one standing upright and one lying flat, displayed on a light Ash wood surface against a neutral gray background.

Hand Tools
for the Mind

Analog Focus Lab makes small, tactile objects designed to give the hands something to do while the mind works, wanders, and wonders.

We experiment with materials, finishes, mechanisms, and forms, and keep the things that make us want to pick them up again.

Field Study 001: COIN
A circular metallic 316 stainless steel ring or coin with concentric grooves, standing upright on a textured plywood or OSB surface.
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  • A circular metallic 316 stainless steel ring or coin with concentric grooves, standing upright on a textured plywood or OSB surface.
  • A circular metallic 316 stainless steel ring or coin with concentric grooves, placed flat on a textured plywood or OSB surface.
  • A circular metallic 316 stainless steel ring or coin with a smooth surface, placed flat on a textured plywood or OSB surface.
  • Close up of a circular metallic 316 stainless steel ring or coin with concentric grooves on a textured plywood or OSB surface.
  • Close up of a circular metallic 316 stainless steel ring or coin with a sloping mildly textured surface on a textured plywood or OSB surface.
  • Technical CAD drawing of a circular coin-like component with dimensions
  • Video of 316 stainless steel Coin tactile object being removed from tin packaging and handled
COIN: Stainless Steel | Analog Focus Lab

COIN: Stainless Steel | Analog Focus Lab
$59.00
Free shipping to contiguous US on $50+. Other rates calculated at checkout.

Field Study 001: A Coin. The Original Experiment.

The Idea: Round, flat, and coin-like. A center cutout for pinching and rotating. Stepped levels on one face. A smooth ramp on the opposing one. Contrasting perimeter treatments. Hefty enough to feel substantial, but not so much that it pulls down your pants when pocketed. Solid. Silent. A hand tool for the mind.

Two grades of Stainless Steel:
303: Excellent general-purpose stainless, often chosen for its machinability and value.
316: Higher corrosion resistance, particularly against chlorides. More expensive and more difficult to machine.

Objective Qs: Does anyone care about this thing, in general? If so, then do premium materials justify the added expense?

Specifications:

Material:  316 or 303 Stainless Steel 
Surface:  Media Blast + Tumble 
Treatment:  Citric acid passivation
Dimensions:  Diameter: 36 mm 
Thickness: 6 mm 
Cutout: 11 mm 
Mass:  32 g 


Stainless Grade

Field Studies

Everything we make starts off as an experiment. Some may come back around again, perhaps become part of a permanent collection, and some won't.
A circular metal coin-shaped object with a partially serrated or notched outer edge, concentric grooved lines, and a crosshair-style center marking.

001: COIN

Active: Available to Order.
A technical CAD drawing of a rounded metal pill-shaped object with a partially serrated or notched outer edge, concentric grooved lines.

002: TRACK

Coming Soon.
A technical CAD drawing of a ring-shaped object with a partially serrated or notched outer edge, concentric grooved lines, and a crosshair-style center marking.

003: RING

Coming Soon.

Outliers

Not everything comes out perfect.

Some pieces don't quite meet our standards despite being fully functional. Scrapping them feels wrong, so each piece is graded, discounted, and offered to those who appreciate imperfection.

 Explore the Outliers
A 316 stainless coin-shaped object with concentric grooves and a hollow center, resting against a small wooden block on a textured wood surface.

About the Lab

Analog Focus Lab makes hand tools for the mind - small tactile objects that engage the hands and enable the mind to focus. We produce small batches, finish them by hand, and experiment in public with materials, finishes, mechanisms, and forms.

It’s an ongoing exploration of the relationship between busy hands and active minds.