MAKING A SIGNET RING IN 18K GOLD!!!

[@SWINGERINTO]

Alec! I am a jeweler, it's how I make my living, and I love seeing videos about it! There is so much I could teach you, but if I may impart only one piece of wisdom for your beautiful work it would be this; Aluminum Oxide (white rouge) is not bad but using Merard Avivor on a TPB wheel and Merard Oras on a STV wheel will help remove some of those scratches left behind and bring the polish to even more of a smooth mirror. Keep it up my friend and feel free to reach out if you ever have any questions.

[@boucherwag_7771]

MartinStangMan what materials cannot be used to make a ring? Curious

[@SWINGERINTO]

Boucherwag- I have never found a material that 'can't' be. However, many mediums such as antler or ashes are typically suspended in something such as an epoxy. Not a 5 minute epoxy, something much harder and more durable, but a resin all the same. Are there any particular materials you are more curious about?

[@EverIess]

How long have you been a jeweler for and whats your favorite pieces of jewelery to work on?

[@A1BASE]

Clickspring did a video about bluing screws and polishing them to a mirror shine - like everything he does it's absolutely amazing. You might like it. I can imagine there is some transferable knowledge there.

[@SWINGERINTO]

@@EverIess I grew up in the business, but I've been considered a "Master Jeweler" by my peers for the last 5 or 6 years. As far as favorite goes, it's less about material and more about the quality of the item. A hollowed out 10k ring with a quad head won't last forever no matter what I do. When I make a piece, it's solid and designed to be passed on to future generations.

[@james5426]

For the Steele vs Stelter you should display everything in a cabinet, and make a sign but in two parts. One side for each name in your own style and dovetail them together.

[@denniswhite166]

I like your idea. That said, I know these lads love the competition (and probably most viewers) but I prefer when they collaborate and produce work that is a little bit of both of them. So may I suggest in the middle of the cabinet are some of their collaborations.

[@Z3DT]

@@denniswhite166 Cavarly saber in the middle as the division line

[@denniswhite166]

@@Z3DT PERFECT!!!

[@icwalk444]

Sounds like we need to get the Samurai Carpenter involved

[@Tenacious21]

Oooh, or what about them each making half of a project, but they don't know what the other is making, and they have to fit and function when they're done? Maybe someone's making a blade and the other's making a handle and they only know about the interfacing dimensions but nothing else about the style that the other is making.

[@allenmckinney9533]

It's one thing to give your dad a gold ring but for him to see his own son making it. That's gotta make it 1000 times better.

[@TheGamerMario1000]

I wanted to see your fathers reaction... Did you film it?

[@wyattvanden865]

he doesnt show much personal stuff im pretty sure

[@TheGamerMario1000]

@@wyattvanden865 yeah i agree and respect that...afterall its his personal life

[@dannyboy-nm2kp]

@@TheGamerMario1000 I'm with you man, i respect his privacy, very sad we didn't get to see tho. :(

[@TheGamerMario1000]

@@dannyboy-nm2kp yeah...I'm sure that he was pretty happy

[@TvTink]

It didnt fit lol

[@bencoleman1893]

That ring is stunning Alec and I have no doubt that your father will be beyond proud to show off this stunning ring and telling everyone his son made it for him. Excellent work sir.

[@Luke-or4lz]

Alec’s editor is definitely improving these videos have been really good

[@SchrieberChris]

He is still using Jamie. He switched back a while ago..

[@Mindereak]

Not sure if he ever switched actually, in the description he always has Jamie as the editor. Do you know some videos that are credited to someone else? (but it might also be that he switched but didn't update the description)

[@JamiePopple]

Cheers for the praises guys! There have been maybe 3 videos not edited by me since the move when I have been away on other work so not really a switch! Glad you guys are enjoying them though!

[@alexbubblemint2434]

Yeah, Jamie is a cracking editor, he really brings a lot of life to the videos.

[@nunocarvalho3407]

Maybe a worlds fanciest BBQ tongs challenge next?

[@kurthanson4106]

Yeah, in damascus.

[@A1BASE]

Would be interesting.Tongs need to be springy but rigid as well. Also reasonably precise. I HATE tongs that bend. Useless pieces of crap.

[@William_Borgeson]

Have Will do it so Alec can take them down to Texas with him!

[@nunocarvalho3407]

They did it

[@lbLevii]

@@kurthanson4106 No, mikume gane tongs

[@icepheonix6]

While he was working with the green wax all that was going through my head: In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, Beware my power Green Lantern's light!

[@NoREVAN-li5px]

icepheonix6 I’m fucking laughing so hard😂😂

[@kammymcnuggets1067]

I'm not the only one XD

[@xnerobeats]

Hahahaha 😂

[@jasondean2]

Damn

[@maskedredstonerproz]

damn ya beat me to it

[@Plexiate]

8:43 cookies?

[@dannygo500]

That looked like cookies

[@dannygo500]

I think they were cookies

[@preventivniuder4352]

@@dannygo500 well, do you think they were cookies ?

[@cookiehuman7745]

Bottles?

[@820andy96]

@@cookiehuman7745 naa

[@ayshaayala9218]

I kinda thought we would see you giving the ring to your Dad.

[@castlehill6717]

Echo Yea I hoped that as well but to be honest it is his personal life and I cant really expect him or anyone else to reveal that side.

[@ethanwest2851]

Yea me too

[@kaydenvera6804]

@@SamWillBenchYa for real not Francais

[@mokow3732]

@@SamWillBenchYa LOL

[@dmsarentworking2458]

Aysha Ayala there’s something called privacy

[@jackals1737]

It Seems Wrong not Seeing Will in the Video much, just Shows he is a Great Addition to the Channel.

[@pipbates2586]

I don’t miss him Alec makes up for him with his enthusiasm

[@cheesecrumbs380]

You will miss Alec because he went away to england and texas, and Will will the only face show up on video for couple episode 😅

[@BrainSlugs83]

I'm trying to figure out why you capitalized every other word... but "ISWSWVSGAC" doesn't spell anything.... Hmmmm

[@awemowe2830]

stop being stupid pls Jackals

[@totally_not_a_bot]

@@BrainSlugs83 Maybe he speaks a language in which that's normal. In German, for example, every Noun is capitalized, except Pronouns as they don't introduce new Information. I would imagine that there are many variations on the theme. Languages tend to do that.

[@EnderLord007]

This felt like a very up close and personal, after hours personal project type of video. I like the editing and narration style a lot.

[@s1gne]

For it to be a signet ring the letters should have been in mirror script. When you push the ring in molten wax the letters are in true script again.

[@BrainSlugs83]

... Whoops!

[@baklap05]

s1gne traditionally this is only true when a family crest is engraved. When you use initials or a monogram it is perfectly acceptable to write it in normal script.

[@ryanbolin1858]

Was gonna say the same thing, but you beat me to it. Guess it's a good thing signet rings are mostly worn in tradition and for show nowadays.

[@gimmie55]

in theory and traditionally yes but doesn't actually tend to be the case with modern initial signet rings purely because they don't use it for that anymore

[@affalaffaa]

So he cut out the middle man?

[@kayprime1967]

"to visit friends and family" yeah right Admit it, you just went back for some good tea, didn't you?

[@myvenusinuranus]

that's the best signet ring I've ever seen. most of them are generic round or square and really low and flat. I'd like to have one like the one you made

[@Lee-ot2uk]

Great video. After the cavalry sabre, how about making a Gurkha's khukri along with the two smaller blades, the Karda and the Chakmak... Leatherwork and all?

[@aaronblakely5873]

I think he made a kukri before but it was gigantic lol

[@Anino_Makata]

He did make a kukri before, in England. But due to it's general profile and size, it looked more like a parang than a kukri. It would be great to see Alec revisit it!

[@Aliensdontwearsocks]

I actually just got a custom made Khukuri from Nepal. Fantastic blades and you are able to generate so much force behind a strike that it makes an axe seem redundant

[@TephulioTX]

I know you were nervous making it, but at the end your engraving was BEAUTIFUL! Truly gorgeous work, sir. I could easily see a long career of jewelry making if you ever wanted to stay with that!

[@skoitch]

Keep that silicone mold, I’d love to buy one of those rings! You could probably cast 8 or more at a time and make some $$$

[@aikrichter5403]

isn't he just going to a juwelery setting course? coincidence? not this guy

[@XxMorningFrostxX]

I would definitely pay for a gold signet ring. The idea of having them is so cool

[@paulotoshio5434]

I'm from Brasil, and i would love to be able to buy one. Please find a way to ship It all the way from Montana to São Paulo, Brasil

[@tomf3150]

Lodogg3323: Really ? you sure you did your maths ? 18K gold is 27$ per gram so 18 grams is 486 $ more or less.

[@shadowpokemon3881]

18g of 18k gold is £977.74p

[@bassmanpnkr]

"Holy moly. It is looking shiny." You gotta make that a shirt. 😄

[@William_Borgeson]

You're a great son Alec, I'm sure your father will love the ring it's gorgeous. Love how you are branching out into the things that interest you, follow your dreams and enjoy the well deserved vacation.

[@RumpRoast]

Awesome, I am sure your Dad will be proud to wear it.

[@saiaddict]

a british guy, going to texas , for a austrailian jewelry class

[@MotoCat91]

Fun fact, we have a Texas too! But it's just a little country town many hours inland from the east coast, and with 98% of our population (ish) on the coast, it isn't a very big town

[@saiaddict]

@@MotoCat91 ooo i see awesome

[@AydinHuss]

@@MotoCat91 I was thinking the same thing as saiaddict lmao, i thought it was strange that he was going to Texas for an Australian course. I am from Victoria, Australia and had no idea we had a Texas here too. LOL.

[@MotoCat91]

​@@AydinHuss ​Actually I just checked out the course, and I'm 90% sure it was in Texas USA.. Texas, Australia is a tiny country town.. and the Jewellery Institute of Australia's website says they're officially opening up courses in the US soon :P Sorry for making it confusing

[@AydinHuss]

@@MotoCat91 All good mate, I'm not confused at all. Well at least I learnt something new out of this haha. I now know we have our very own little Texas here in Australia.

[@acm1101]

It’s a nice gift. Not many people give handcrafted gifts anymore. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the sentiment.

[@Silentsleye]

With my experience of wax casting, a centrifuge was essential in getting a full casting even with thee most difficult of castings. Peticularly when it comes to wax replacement castings, the centrifuge will push the molten medium into the void more efficiently and there is no need for an added space such as your bonus sprue. There is no need for the added wax material to make a solid casting, It will also entail a lot less work to make the piece finished. I love your work and hope this will help make your next casting easier!

[@yellow-harold8965]

Alec, you should hang a piece of leather under where you cut and file your expensive metals, that way you can collect the dust and flakes and in a couple of years you can send it to a place that will separate the metals and melt them down and then pay you for it. I know it is not a lot of material, but years of gold and silver dust is worth something. Also, that lofi music around 3:05 is absolutely delightful!

[@LRonBrundlefly]

Next episode, Alec forges a gold pan for the guys from Discovery Channel's GOLDRUSH that have set up camp outside the shop.

[@Jasta315]

8:46 are you guys about to bake cookies in the kiln? 😂

[@patdav56]

Looks like it 😂

[@namelessman8097]

Could be terra cotta but it seems its cookie dough.

[@conorstewart2214]

@@namelessman8097 slow it down, it does look a lot like cookie dough, flapjacks or scones, hard to tell which though. It looks like they took a break

[@runerix3859]

As ever a grand craftsman. Been following for almost 6 months now, and I must admit something id never thought id say. Im in to blacksmithing. Thank u mr. Steele and thanks to you Will, finally getting Alec to up his game with every challenge 😉 Always looking forward to the next video, actually more like craving for it

[@AuruxTheShady]

You should make an inheritable ring for your family. Something personal for future generation of Steele’s.

[@ChrisBennettGameDesign]

From my daughter Eleanor: “Your project was awesome. I did a creation myself today when I made some cool sandals at school. First I had to trace them, then I had to cut them (I did this twice), then I did hot gluing and added tassels on the straps. They look great and I worked hard on them. Have fun with your family!”

[@theprogrammer32]

if you don't make a mistake the first time, then you did it wrong! mistakes are how you learn! do everything twice and plan on throwing away the first one - even if it's good, the second will be better.

[@jimbob9714]

Now we know why Will broke so many jeweler saw blades, he used the ones for cutting wax on the brass guard.

[@jeanladoire4141]

Obviously its an april fools joke. You didnt use gold but a copper alloy ;) Jk, good work alec, im a long time sub, i've been following you since you started your channel in your very small workshop :)

[@chartle1]

I didn't see him try to capture the gold dust/fillings.

[@viscache1]

Jean Ladoire 18k gold IS a copper alloy!

[@finnianmurphy88]

yeah, what else would it be? otherwise its 24 k gold

[@corwinweber693]

I'm pretty sure he'd be using 18K gold because 24K would be just a bit too soft for something like a signet ring. The 18K would be a bit more durable.

[@viscache1]

Corwin Weber your confused.. I was commenting to the person who stated that he used copper rather than gold.

[@tjs4519]

I've been doing metal work for about a decade now, a better community does not exist, love this channel and the helpful people that watch it. Well Done!

[@gwpcs]

Shouldn't the seal on a signet ring be inverted so you can actually leave your seal in wax?

[@jasonobrien1004]

G Clifton-Sprigg this way it’ll just be a raised seal instead of a dipped in seal

[@gwpcs]

@@jasonobrien1004 Think you missed the point. Raised seal, dipped seal doesn't matter. The lettering is the right way round on the ring and will therefore be mirrored on any seal, which is why the seal is usually mirrored on the ring.

[@akashrathour3441]

Signet rings aren’t a long necessarily used to wax seal letters.

[@traininggrounds9450]

This is the comment I was looking for. The modern day and age has everything backwards now because we no longer make things for the function but for the form of it.

[@Yoshikaable]

This is a subject I've wondered about... You should get a casting centrifuge

[@Briguy1027]

Centrifugal casting machines work well for small pieces. For the large things like the guard I think you have to use gravity or vacuum casting.

[@wazabi41]

I was going through the comments to see if someone posted about this...YES! He has all these awesome pieces of equipment, and then, the simple centrifuge for casting is missing. Ahhhh, can’t have it all.

[@jasonsummit1885]

Get a used one, as long as it is in good condition then used ones work just fine. A friend of mine got an awesome deal and got a centrifuge, vacuum table, burnout kiln, and everything else used in investment casting for $600 at an auction!👍( he's storing it all at my shop and I get to use it for as long as I want)

[@dukewheeler7846]

Next episode “Hello and welcome back to the courthouse where I’m being sued by ZNA”

[@merindymorgenson3184]

Duke Wheeler April Fool’s

[@cleric022684]

what is ZNA?

[@William_Asston]

@@cleric022684 ZNA Productions... A youtuber. Hes a funny guy you should check him out

[@Merojewelleryworkshop]

Duke Wheeler yes

[@MrCODEmaster00]

@@William_Asston So uh.. what's the joke here?

[@halffull6895]

alec STEELE Working with GOLD isnt that IRONic???

[@rjwaters3]

that jokes downright golden.

[@lucasdoody3263]

I really Luster for these kind of jokes

[@halffull6895]

@Roderick storey yeah it is tempered some people

[@Djbiohazard1991]

Quite the FERROcious comment.

[@CapnDucki]

I’m going to steel this

[@shep182]

If you warm your files before working with wax you can minimize the amount of polish you need in the final cast. Best advice I ever got working with lost wax casting bronze

[@peterdaigle6375]

Alex I’ve been watching you since before you had 30k subscribers. And I must say, you never cease to amaze me with your skills. One day the whole world will know who Alex Steele is. The blacksmiths of past are smiling down on you. Best of luck here in AMERICA! Welcome!

[@alexnowak1392]

His name is Alec

[@psabt10081]

Beautiful work Alec. Enjoy Texas, as someone born and bred here it's a wonderful place to live. As always God bless.

[@bleach-kun]

Hey Alec, you should do a collab ZNA Productions, teach him the basics of sword making.

[@MallaganVloggs]

Alec, your father just has to be SO proud of you! And I bet he was happy to get that ring from you. Much love

[@helenayntema7666]

Great job man! I’m a jeweller apprentice you did good stuff! a tip to get a nice finish casting is to emery the wax as well and also rub some brasso on the wax with a paper towel to get it smooth as.

[@BrooksSligh]

Alec: really enjoying the channel's new mix of a long project (Saber), competition videos & shorter one-day projects.

[@treylee5896]

3:20 The Green Lantern Corp has seen better days.

[@enotsnavdier6867]

They are certainly in Blackest Night

[@americanidiot2202]

So, when are you going to do a collab with ZNA Production?!

[@khaiheemthomposn3747]

Shout out if eli sent you or you watch both of their channels like me!

[@shaidaskshaida7396]

Where are we buying plastic metal and what is metal name

[@mreyes1750]

I’ve been watching Pablo Cimadevilas’ videos recently. He makes some beautiful rings. You did very well on your first go. Bravo.

[@jasonduncan69]

I'm sure your dad will appreciate the ring. On a side note. I've done some layout for engraving using stencil paper. Really affordable, and it really leaves line work that is easy to scribe in.

[@ollixpop]

Yeah, Eli is suing you

[@naishmika]

Why?

[@doomzx8284]

This was a 1st April video, imagine he brought this to his dad and said: "Joking dad, it's my ring now".

[@torusbrane5629]

This looks amazing. You’ve come such a long way in the past few years. I appreciate your trying of new things and continually pushing yourself to new limits. Great work Alec, can’t wait to see what you and Will are going to do next! And I’m sure your dad will love the ring. Very thoughtful.

[@ot9180]

Breaks our hearts to see you go across the pond. For Queens and country’s sake, please come back.

[@elliemorrow5306]

I love engraving 18k! It's so soft so it's very satisfying when your graver cuts through it :) I'm glad yours turned out so well!!!

[@GraceSerenityK]

"I don't know if that guard was successfully poured, or not..." No, Past Alec, it was not. Neither was the second one! You did it on the third time, though!

[@MikoDiane]

I'm gonna need an Alec & Pablo collab vid. Please and thank you 😊

[@blommen]

"I actually don't know if we successfully poured that cavalry sabre." Oh, Alec.

[@BluntTruth7]

Make the impression, make the mold out of casting material, heat up the casting material with the mold inside the mold melts out of the cast, then put the cast into a casting / shooting machine, pour the gold into the mold and then shoot it to ensure it gets into all the areas of the impression in the mold. Easy peasy.

[@godleveleldritchblast5257]

Alec, one bit of advice with the engraving, if you want to thicken the letters faster without going back over the same line multiple times use the flange technique. It gives a thicker and deeper cut that looks more professional. Its the technique used to make O and Q look rounder. Just a bit of advice from one specialist to another. Also your wax blade was not tight enough, there was to much slack. You need to hear a high ting sound when you test it. That ting will mean the difference between a a blade cutting well and it snapping. I was going to mention the part about when you poured the gold into the mold but you learnt that hard way, happened to me to. I hope the tips I've mentioned help you with future videos.

[@ZeroFresh4569]

I know this video is a year old and this comment is way late, but I'm so glad you mentioned Pablo Cimadevila. He's an amazing craftsman/artist and I actually found his channel a while back before even finding your channel. Now that i'm watching this video and hearing that you were working with him for advice, I'm that much more appreciative of the KZbin maker community as a whole. You're both fantastic at your crafts and it's awesome to hear that you've collaborated on this project.

[@furb246]

Love the ring, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed when such a fine ring wasn't imbued with an attribute or special ability. 18k gold could easily hold a moderate strength or agility enhancement, depending on your father's build.

[@therammer4979]

When are you gonna be doing a collab with ZNA Productions? Hes suing you by the way

[@matteedstrom]

Prolly never if he is suing^^!!!

[@DoomFinger511]

@@matteedstrom i don't think you get the joke...

[@dottydachicken8440]

I don't understand either. Can you please specify

[@dominginiify]

If you plan on making rings often there is a carving mandrel for the wax blanks. it looks just like the mandrel but it has a blade that you just spin the ring on it to carve the wax out, It has a size guide as well.

[@milesvollman8497]

Dude now that's the good old Alec steel videos that was awesome Mr im sure your dad will love it have a fun trip back home!!!

[@usernaame316]

this was such a nice video! the editing is definitely improving, i love how it’s peaceful at the beginning and it gradually gets more up beat. nice work!

[@josegonzales9361]

Hey Alec im a big fan of your channel I live in Texas hope you have a. Great time

[@logannicol4750]

Like if Alec and Will should Colab with Eli from ZNA Productions

[@MatTheArtisan]

Pro tip to draw it on the ring, use some white waterpaint to put a thin film on the ring (we just lick our finger, go over a little block of widsor newton white paint and smudge that on) so your pensil stays on the and you don't have to scratch it in. Also look into getting some actual jewl engravers, yours are way to big and bulky for the fine work you where doing. If they deliver to you, Bijou Moderne in the netherlands has all the good stuff.

[@CarpioTheOnlyOne]

As a father I know he will appreciate it for the lovely gift it is. Total respect to you the intent and action speak volumes to the man you are. Hey at least the weather is warmer!

[@mgreene1409]

I hope we get to see Papa Steele's reaction to the ring you made for him.

[@blazeridergaming7774]

Wow is that goku (jk ik its naruto)🤣🤣

[@edwardschleicher4943]

oh god the parallels are becoming so clear watch out alec steal eli is coming for u

[@spvceman2604]

Anybody else notice Alec is letting his facial hair grow a little? Would be cool to see a Santa beard on Alec.😂

[@Anino_Makata]

Santa Steele... I'd love to get a gift from him. Excuse me, Imma go be a guud boi...

[@Iskelderon]

That's an awesome gift so your dad can be proud of what a skilled craftsman his son has become and you still have decades of gaining experience ahead of you!

[@brennonfunderburk8544]

Can’t even believe I stopped watching this can’t wait to get back on watching your journey. Keep it up.

[@yellowdogparty]

Nice work! Aren’t signet rings usually backwards for wax impression?

[@1nkw3ll]

Over time theres grown to be 3 major types, this iteration being the most modern. The first is of a personal coat of arms, set backwards and depressed into the surface for wax sealing letters. The second is of the same thing, but set normally and pushed outwards as more of a status symbol due to their expense showing wealth of the wearer. This, the most recent iteration, is a modernized version of the second evolution to be a bit more personal and elegant without being a braggart about monetary wealth. Personally speaking though I'd rather have the letter sealing ring, those are beautiful

[@yellowdogparty]

@@1nkw3ll Agreed. I always thought the sealing variety was really quite nice. I had always thought people were just calling these signet rings, since they have no particular connection to the original function. But that makes sense. It would be better if they had chosen a different name, as now there's no way to speak about certain types. Thanks for the information!

[@shaunlastname391]

No, backwards wax impression is "noisserpmi xaw" it's totally different letters 😂 idiot

[@thisisaperson660]

@@shaunlastname391 excuse me id like the last 3 mins of my life i wasted reading that comment and then dying inside about it. Go to dad joke jail

[@shaunlastname391]

@@thisisaperson660 already doing a life term for my jokes

[@benny5190]

Id be over the moon if one of my boys made a ring for me I often get a haribo ring but my oldest is only 5 years old

[@AZP7233]

Loving all the side projects! Helps to keep all your knowledge in practice, less of you saying, 'I haven't done this in a while.'

[@nateolmsted22]

For your first time engraving script.. that was absolutely beautiful 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@karvald]

Project Idea: How about a fantasy sword, something that looks like it belongs in the hands of Conan the Barbarian?

[@af0ulwind115]

So Alec Steele... you mentioned earlier you wanted ideas of things we wanted to see. hmmm? i thought it would be a challenge to see if one could build a fantasy blade, lets say like an elvish sword, where the Damascus grain in the blade mimicked plants with the stalks/branches throughout the center of the blade and the foliage/leaves as the edge of the blade.... perhaps eve a flower or two as part of the steel between the blade and the cross guard or even built into or as the cross guard? a chunk of crystal/glass or even acrylic on the pommel with again a flower or leave in relieve underneath it. may want to use some copper and or brass in the handle/pommel/hilt ... well that would certainly be a challenge to do... but what do you think? be creative about it!

[@montlejohnbojangles8937]

What a good boy, your father must be proud of you. 😊

[@exn0146]

Who needs fancy technology when you got Alec

[@jacquipeers206]

That is one wonderful ring. I have a heavy ladies signet ring made for my little finger and I love it. I would have loved to see your dads face when you gave it to him, so I'm a little disappointed we didn't get to see that. Otherwise, I think you'll go far in jewellery making. Good luck to you.

[@joshharris3040]

I haven't finished the video yet, but I see you're going straight from the wax to melting the gold. As a beginner in gold casting, I would make a silicone mold of the wax model before attempting the casting. You wouldn't want to have a failed cast and then have to start over from scratch. Best to have a mold of the wax model as insurance against a failed casting, which is very possible for a beginner. I'm looking forward to seeing the results!

[@edgartovar2061]

Anyone catch the ZNA production vid on alec?

[@barrybritcher]

What's this about

[@benjwankenobi5769]

when are we going to see an engagement ring? now with the stone setting and all?🤔

[@benjwankenobi5769]

@tim ovel 🤣🤣🤣you just made my day!

[@noblemagi]

Signet ring can give you the freedom you are looking for. Seal everything you sign, means paid in full and not open for public record and review.

[@Hairsquare]

No it doesn't.

[@jeremycooper1278]

did any one else see the frame of them making cookies with the kiln, lol 8:45 and watch the table.

[@richardledingham1036]

What a smart and inspirational young man you are Alec. Always positive and it is nice to see you settled and relaxed in your new home. Looking forward to your next vid already. Keep it up. 👍

[@AnnaVahtera]

Will's laugh when the first wax sprouted out of the mold was perfect.

[@fenrisnihilus3675]

15:31 Alec Steele being the kind of student who studied for a test, writes it and says he messed up and cant do it only to get an A 😂 nice work, man!

[@nyxionn]

You should make a silicon mold of your wax in case you mess up. Edit: Nevermind 👍

[@davidjohnston1971]

Your signet ring turned out great. I'm sure your father will be proud to wear it. Would be nice to see the presentation. Some tips: Get a small alcohol lamp with a wick. It can serve many purposes for your work. Soft heat from the flame can smooth wax finishes beautifully, removing file marks. Use it to soot the inside of flasks and outsides of models. The material from the flask will slip out easier as the soot prevents bonding. On your models the soot gives smoother casting, especially for silicon molding. I didn't see you using a jeweler's lap apron when working the gold. All those fine bits of gold from filing etc. add up to some weight over time and can be reclaimed from using an apron. Fix a one end of couple layers of sheet plastic under your bench and leave the other ends free to pull into your lap and stuff the corners into your pants waist or belt loops. This catches all those fine little bits for reclamation. With two sheets, use one for silver, the other for gold. Another trick for working rings and other small pieces. Two methods, cut another V notch in 1 leg of your bench pin and shape it down for working on rings and small bits. Or using a dowel or piece of wooden broom stick cut in half lengthwise with a V notch cut in one end and 2 small holes on the other for bolting to your bench. If you'd like an excellent book to read on your long flights, I highly recommend Oppi Untracht's "Metal Techniques for Craftsmen." It covers metal working techniques from around the world in all manner of metals. A lot of old school techniques that are incredibly valuable and seemed to have been lost by modern craftsmen. So much useful information from Mokume Gani, granulation, drawing and twisting wire, gem setting, tools and tool making. Invaluable reference material for much of what you and Will are up to. I enjoy every one of your videos and love the passion which you and Will have brought to your learning the crafts. Also nice to see you've modified your grip on your graver while carving in the signet. Much better control that way.

[@buggsy5]

One hint while doing engraving, use two hands. Using just one is asking for a slip and damage that could be difficult to repair. The dominant hand holds the graver and provides the engraving force. The off hand is generally used to steady the graver and limit the forward graver force/motion, as well as the graving block or ball. The graving motions are usually by small motions of the fingers and possibly the wrist, not by movements of the arms.

[@Kotiare]

I must ask why not engrave it in the wax before casting?

[@ylaan]

Casting is not really precise, you would probably just end up with completly messed letters and you would have to redo it.

[@Kotiare]

Ylaan ! Depends on how much/often you are going to cast. I know that you can get different types of investment that are a much, much finer, that when mixed are specifically made for finer scroll/script work. So if you want to invest (ba dum bum) the money and you plan on casting a lot, it is totally worth it.

[@travisheck5979]

"I bet you're surprised to see me making a new wax ring.." No no I wasnt you silly man, I knew you had screwed up. I love you have my babies

[@noblemagi]

Also signet are suppose to have detectable error to keep copys from counterfeiting your seal

[@soupfork2105]

Magus Galzu and mirrored design if you actually want to use it for seals...

[@RussellChapman99]

I have no experience with filing wax or anything really but could deep freezing the wax before you start working it, help with precision working?

[@zoke101]

When you attempt lettering there are two REALLY important stuff: 1. Consistent "leaning" of the characters. 2. When you pen/brush/whatevs is drawn in a downward motion there should be a thick line. This is achieved by pressing harder with your pen/brush/whatever. (Bonus: similarly when the ben/brush/whatevs is drawn upward there should be a thin line by releasing pressure).