Can I Make QR Code Damascus?

[@Nerdforge]

Your video ideas are on fire lately! Keep'em coming! 🤩

[@Mystical_Zeus]

I love the videos you guys do with books! Thanks for all the great content you make as well!!!

[@Taking6243]

Nerdforge forging comments on a forge channel

[@CameronSalazar2113]

100% agree, Alec has been killing it and really showing us what he can do!

[@thomastilton4542]

Hell of an idea for a black smith business card

[@Nighteyes66]

That's an awesome idea!

[@valkyrie1924]

The way the steam hammer makes the camera slightly shake with every hit is super satisfying

[@andersjjensen]

Yeah, that is one thuddy boi for sure!

[@ahsmeg4069]

That QR destination is... life changing lol 10/10 worth £300

[@AnarchoAmericium]

Quite eleborate.

[@ericfreitag197]

Oh yeah. Great destination

[@joshuagibson2520]

I'm here for the struggle. With Alec it's always a struggle. Without fail.

[@joshuagibson2520]

I must admit, it's wasn't quite as strugglesome as usual. This went pretty smooth all in all.

[@RealAndySkibba]

There's usually plenty of fail.

[@hygri]

"That's not square, that's a bloody circle" Jamie is on fire, then bang straight into the ad. What pros

[@madmaveric]

So now you know you can create pixel art, a colab with someone like nerdforge could be fantastic has to be on the cards in my dream future. They have the art/creator skills, you have the metalwork skills. I could see you guys coming up with an awesome steampunk themed piece of work. I'm not sure how many colours/shades you can do but maybe even some kind of greyscale picture (maybe even one of those 3D pictures, I'm sure the nerdforge guys could make a plan for one). Make it thick enough and I'm sure they could even turn it 3d with some Dremel work. I'd love to see this happen, what is more steampunk than using the oldest and heaviest form of maker tools (forging) combined with the modern tools (3D printers/CAD/LED lighting) to make some kind of artwork.

[@spoplehughes]

Don't forget the colour possibilities with the titanium

[@spoplehughes]

And with nerdforge I see titanium stained glass

[@madmaveric]

@@spoplehughes oooh forgot about that. I could see a business idea where you might forge as many colours as you can get to work in one block (obviously not all metals forge together that well) to create a kind of Damascus colour pallet. Then you Photograph that and use it to create the pallet for a paint program to auto replace an existing images colours with the closest match. Once setup you could then just load a low res photo (pixel art style), swap the pallets over and instantly have a layout of how to stack the metals (as long as you noted the colour codes to metals when creating the pallet :D) I could see some high end companies wanting this. i.e. coasters with the logo on them for promotion/nameplates for executives doors/high end products etc.

[@madmaveric]

​@@spoplehughes I did wonder about backlit Damascus. Either by having some filler pieces that could be dissolved in acid after or maybe just drilling small holes for the backlight, but maybe both could do the same design (Damascus and stained glass) to compliment each other in a project). With nerdforge's past ideas that they have done the possible outcome of such a colab are too many to think about lol.

[@120DEA]

D@mn it, Alec! I fell for the Rick Roll! LOL Time to watch the video now I guess 😂

[@kalebshepherd6639]

I KNEW IT

[@hearingthesmells2500]

Merry Christmas Alec

[@mattb7517]

the qr codes at the beginning said his name is jeff/s

[@ph0t0sh0pmast3r]

It’s delightful seeing you collect all of the bits of waste and say, “I’ll be saving this for a rainy day.” Use all parts of the buffalo.

[@BrokenWoody718]

I'm surprised the QR code worked! I 3D printed one that was supposed to rickroll people but unfortunately the QR didn't work because it was only 50mm in FDM. Nicely done Alec!

[@Odinnyb13]

all this complex Damascus stuff lately has been so fascinating to follow! Keep up the amazing work!

[@tslim250]

Hell yeah brother! I've laser etched a QR code on a CNC 3 axis laser before and it was quite a challenge with the cad software and posting it to the cnc controller.. and no not a laser etching machine but an actual cutting machine that works on vectors only. I love your channel dude as i'm a tenure metal worker in manufacturing and the silly stuff you do and you're excitement is refreshing. Wish i could stop by your shop!

[@JMANTAM]

You should try and see if it is possible to do something similar to like what candy taffy pullers do to create intricate patterns in their candy by setting a design in a stacked tube and stretching it out till it becomes a mini version of the design.

[@Volt64bolt]

Yes this is often done either with wire edm cut patterns or 3D printed outlines with powder filled

[@DH-xw6jp]

I'm glad you are never gonna give up on blacksmithing. You would be letting us down.

[@rossstewart9475]

He wouldn't turn around and desert you.

[@Brian_Tylor]

I swear if this QR codes is just a Rick Roll......

[@thegrahamreaper6851]

*comment gets liked by alec*

[@מעייןחברון-ט9י]

If that qr code is a rick roll, i swear!!! I'll be tempted to buy one.

[@danilooliveira6580]

it look so much better than I expected. there MUST be a way to change how you shape it so they don't deform so much, maybe change the shape of the v dies or something so they don't push so much material to the center.

[@mike-carrigan]

It's funny you did this, I'm dealing with QR codes at work. We make parts for Blue Origin and they now want one permanently on every part we make so I have been working out our Lazer marking and electro etching processes

[@sherlock1159]

This is such a wild idea

[@gyc2406]

Alec was holding me at its peek with the titanium damascus and thean uploads this (still liked the wideo tbh)

[@Asertix357]

Alec you are by far the maddest of all the madmen I have ever watched on youtube.

[@CameronSalazar2113]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1033">17:13</a> looked like a magic trick, because it's something you dont ever expect to see from steel/Iron at all and that to me is amazing. Also your work on this project is second to none because freak this must have been a heap of work to do! But the result say all that is needed to be said! AMAZING!

[@lhei_tayuun]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="990">16:30</a> QR codes are pretty forgiving when it comes to warping and distortion, though it's down to a given reader how much it can account for when trying to recognize if what it's looking at is a QR code. The error correction is mathematical, ensuring that once the QR code has been read, it can be decoded into what you intended, even if some of it is obscured, missing, or wrong (as in, you misplaced an amount of the modules within the steel). As long as everything was more or less in columns and rows relative to the corner boxes, and the phone could see those boxes, you were probably golden.

[@MrJamesBanana]

DataMatrix is the format to go for. Much better data density, and better error correction. We had a department laser etch all their tools with QR codes, and they had lots of issues with readability. After re-etching them all with datamatrix, the issues have basically disappeared.

[@GiladBarad]

Alec I dare you to make a sword without any power tools

[@JIJforgeNfishing]

I second the motion

[@AidenFaller]

I third it

[@BigCroogle]

Why

[@trimdawg1]

He can use a coal blower forge... no propane

[@AidenFaller]

@ that’s not a power tool

[@siltyroach1584]

Watching you using these new tools we've seen you get up and running for a new project is really fun! Thanks for the videos

[@danieljungmayer7064]

I KNEW IT! 🤦🏽‍♂️ ALEC!!! (Gotta love the QR code) Merry Christmas and happy new year from our shop to y’all’s! That’d be a really humorous belt buckle.

[@MrGoatsy]

I don't know much about blacksmithing but I enjoy your videos. Thanks for the content.

[@paulkelly1702]

Alex, I thank you for the time and work you put into your videos. I've been with you since you were climbing a ladder to cook your lunch in Mike the microwave in your shop with a dirt floor. You and yours have the best Christmas and holidays.

[@xzernio9647]

Love the Tyler Bell logo at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="723">12:03</a> @TylerBellMakes

[@trasmorfeurjambon8641]

mosaic damascus with the qr code can be really cool

[@kylekyfl2693]

would it possible to make a mine craft creeper from damascus?

[@eagleyes121290]

Ive never played Minecraft and I was going to say this.

[@stevendegonia]

Slice a bit off the billet and process it down to say, 20mm, and make a pattern welded bar for a Bowie Knife with the tiled pattern, maybe even give the 20mm bar a few twists for fun... LOL

[@thespaztagonist984]

**Alec explains why he doesn't want to use the mill for his dyes** **Alec uses the mill for his dyes**

[@hammerth1421]

Linus Tech Tips recently did a scavenger hunt with a very special USB thumb drive that can only store 8 kB of data and some people were joking that it would be easier to inscribe such a low amount of information into a plate of steel as a big QR code than to actually store the data in electronic form. 8 kB would require 64000 blocks (it's actually 8 kiB which is slightly more, but whatever) even without error correction, but what you did here is not too far off in principle.

[@eidodk]

Except that would rust. The usb key was made to never rust.

[@hanswoast7]

I appreciate that you are always there for us :)

[@chrishb7074]

That is just incredible! Have a really good Christmas and enjoy all your achievements this year.

[@peetesmi]

Merry Christmas ! Also, you could use the remaining steel making yourself either a big medal or a crown, because you're a King for achieving this!

[@ARPLATINUM]

No matter what, Alec... I'm never gonna give you up!

[@robertmelcher2953]

Alec-You just leveled up big time with this one!!!! Well done ✅

[@peevester9987]

Not only do they scan in person, but I freeze framed the video when you first showed one, and it worked there too. Interesting manifesto on achieving world peace you posted there.

[@stanceworks]

Tyler Bell spotting!

[@gabbieblue]

i did not AT ALL expect this to work, congratulations

[@webstershenanigan9471]

25 minutes club!!! Love your work! Been watching for along time and it just keeps getting better:)

[@alexlutz2221]

Cut a small chunk out and see how small you can forge it down while keeping it readable. If you can get it small enough you could make a bunch of knives or something with slices of the qr code steel in the handle or something. You could also make them into keychains if it was just a bit smaller

[@iXbirdmanX]

So nice seeing you being able to use a surface grinder again. That thing is a work horse!

[@sealdoggydog]

I haven't watched the full video, but I really hope the finished QR code is a Rick Roll

[@sealdoggydog]

Just read the other comments and.... 😅

[@RigGames4]

You should etch these sort of strips. Easy peasy! I do the CAD work for an etching company and these sorts of cuts, we can make 1000's in about 2/3 days. Any metal you can think of too!

[@DrPsychlops]

Took a screenshot of the finished QR code. Opened photos app. Tapped the QR code. Epic tROLL!

[@dr0psy]

He got us good 😭

[@danilooliveira6580]

my camera couldn't read it, what is it ?

[@DH-xw6jp]

C'mon, you had to expect that outcome.

[@maxlord3]

Try a qr-code scanner app, not the camera app 😅

[@RedSpiritVR]

I'd love to see a dagger or short sword with every layer of the Damascus being a different image entirely

[@thijsdeboer389]

Seeing the restored steamhammer in action was amazing!!

[@imprxvize9671]

Never been so early to an Alec Steele vid!! Merry Christmas y’all!

[@bobmike2373]

an amazing qr code. you could for sure make pixel art with this if chemistry allows. though i wonder if some kind of square wire would work better versus cutting stock

[@AN-oq5zb]

This is one the most creative youtubers i have ever seen!!!!

[@morph-the-cat]

Found your channel recently. Love your work!

[@Sam-ob4of]

Incredible it actually worked, I thought the individual pieces would shift much more than they did

[@sethkeown5965]

As far as a comercial "pay the bills" video. Its a really cool one.

[@rom14141]

Perfect job for an old K&T Horizontal and a gang of slitting saws spaced on the arbor.

[@MrJamesBanana]

A future suggestion: Don't do QR codes, they have very low data density and terrible error handling. Do DataMatrix, preferably with ECC200. It will greatly improve the readability of codes, even if they get distorted.

[@spinalgrey3600]

Most expensive qr code and also most unbreakable! Glorious ;D

[@eagleyes121290]

This opens up the possibility for pixel art damascus.

[@uberchipmonk2568]

Make more of the little QR code plates and attach them to any work you do thats larg enough. Like putting your stamp or signature on your work. Steam hammer should be first.

[@Merennulli]

Now that you have created Damascus pixels, you could also make 8bit Damascus art. Of course, you'd probably want a more efficient way of making your pixels. I've square bar in 3/8 inch, so I wonder if they make it in the right alloys you need and if that would be more cost effective. For the version 1 QR code, that would be about 8 inches across, and a lot of pixel art is even smaller.

[@Tek_0135]

One thing I realized is you don’t need that error correction because the code goes all the way through the steel so unless you rip the steel apart it will remain the same

[@Philtoid]

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen to part 600 of making a damascus enigma machine

[@kylestonebraker3050]

A) Thanks for the jazz, editor. B) a steel QR to Rick roll is a very expensive joke.

[@verdatum]

Draw the remaining bit out to a long taper, Then cut the taper into cross-sections, and see how small you can get it and still be able to scan.

[@RobertGracie]

Alec you have made some interesting things so far, but a QR code has taken the box of biscuits, but still, I hope you have an AWESOME Christmas with your family :D and a fantastic New Year making even crazier things in 2025!

[@Ammoniummetavanadate]

I would have ordered stock in this size from a supplier, cutting it like that is insane. Hell, getting some rod drawn down would be pretty cheap.

[@exosnecko]

I very much want an alternate cut of the video done in the style of "how it's made" that pretends this is how QR codes are actually made.

[@ryanaiden]

How it turned out was hellishly impressive 🔥

[@47DaysofBakedbeans]

the surface grinder paying for itself with every video

[@bisbis2.0]

Of course it was a rickroll 😂

[@NameGeheim]

Alec just never give you up!

[@thegrahamreaper6851]

i'm tempted to recommend a blade forged from the qr codes that somehow still shows the code on the blade face while being functional, because saying you own a "[spoiler free qr code location] blade" would be hilarious, but I feel like that might just be a waste of an awesome piece of metal.

[@pinaz993]

I knew what the QR code was going to link to from the moment I saw the pink sticky notes. There's only one reason to go to such ridiculous lengths to keep a QR code from working.

[@joeh9399]

You need to adjust the blade support on your bandsaw. Move it closer to the work and youll get straighter cuts. 👍

[@ryanconran7940]

Amazing video as always!

[@theblueflame]

loved scanning the qr code love the surprise

[@grantcampbell7517]

what about making a sward with the rest of it like cut them into squares like you just did then connect them on the diagonal and fill in the gaps with just some chonky V Damascus then have a sick looking QR Damascus blade ( the sward could be a Scottish claymore and you could attempt to make the pommel a QR code too ) just my idea but i love your work its always so fun watching your videos

[@blancfilms]

Something about glowing hot metal being pounded by a steam hammer makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

[@Ghost-FaceGaming]

love watching your videos Keep it up!

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Of course, you need to make a double-edged dagger with the QR code steel.

[@chasewalker5728]

One of the best links i've ever been directed to *Chef Kiss*

[@wharfrat360]

You should make a jewelry box, a fancy one, with the leftover scrap from the QR Code. Get fancy with it.

[@timrudd3318]

Using a chunk of that to make a mosaic pattern marking knife would be cool to see

[@FlooringIT]

Merry Christmas alex

[@georgegeorges9652]

Metal business card is a must have

[@christopbutto]

Well played, Alec. Well played.

[@thepoynt]

That is exactly what I was hoping the code would be

[@smokeymcpot976]

Sword Japanese stile would look stunning

[@Hibbo89]

Damn QR codes!! <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1067">17:47</a>! 😂

[@jamesnizzy9774]

I don't know why you didn't just stack the sliced up in a machine vice, tickle the top surface flat and use a slitting saw to cut the segments away. Then raise the knee for the next cut and then repeat the process. More rigid than a large blade and you can control your cutting forces in either climb or conventional milling, whatever worked best. Likely a climb cut as you're clearing chips from the workpiece as you machine them!

[@aniano39]

Those are some damn fine looking QR Coasters

[@RedBeardTheFirst]

DENSO is that subsidiary, they are one of the largest OEM auto parts manufacturers

[@grottybmx]

Here's a challenge for you. How small can you make the qr code and have it still be usable. Also can you forge a qr code into a blade

[@BsnowBae]

MERRY CHRISTMASS

[@DeliriumG5]

Haha, I made an Rickroll QR code from mosaik tiles and put it on the wall of my balcony just some months ago. Found a really simple Rickroll QR code on Reddit

[@linecraftman3907]

I scanned the qr code with my phone and GOD DAMNIT ALEC

[@Michael-vi3tx]

I saw the notification and was like "this dude"😂

[@willbbwluvr]

Mosaic pattern welded San mai Lange Seax