Maybe I've already said enough in this thread but it's a topic that's always worth discussing.
Continuing with the OP's permission of course.
The last time I priced that tap it was $249 and that was many yrs. ago.
I've found them for somewhat less in the tool catalogs but of a design that would prohibit their use for cues.
It was a 'step-tap' of considerable length. That's a fat thread and would be difficult to tap all in one pass otherwise.
How these guys are cutting this thread, I have no first hand knowledge so I can't say.
But if I were doing it, I'd be looking at some custom live-tooling. That may be pricey also.
Right there is the 'rub', the associated costs and it's not like you're using this tooling everyday or even every week.
I stated that I did one maybe 10 yrs. ago. I may have seen one other since.
I think it would be pretty tough for a repairman or a j/p-maker to justify adding that cost to his tool inventory.
This is by no means a common pin. When things are common they are competitively priced.
There are costs associated with an uncommon pin, both monetary and of convenience.
I better quit before people get the impression that I'm not a fan of uncommon pin types.
Please understand, I'm not knocking the cue. It's a lovely cue and Mr. Kikel does masterful work.
I've had several of his cues in my shop though the one in most recent memory didn't have that pin.
This particular pin type is not alone in causing issues for the C-Tec and/or the owner, there are many others.
I guess you could say that about any pin that you don't have the tooling for.
Can you justify the cost?
To the OP, I hope that both you and your new cue live forever and that you enjoy the cue for every second.
Respectfully, KJ