A method of manufacturing a suspension member designed to carry a slider and read/write head elements in a magnetic data storage device. The method includes forming the suspension member into a desired length and width configuration with a nominal thickness dimension. One or more pockets are formed in one or both surfaces of the suspension member. The pockets are treated by way of punch-coining or roll-coining to minimize pocket depth tolerances and introduce hardness and strength into surface areas of said pockets.