Minting My Own Currency

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After extracting my own silver, I now attempt to recreate a couple different ways coins were first made: with a hammer and die, and by casting.
Animations by Cole Funck / defunckt
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Sandwich - bit.ly/1ZVGNRn
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|| ABOUT ||
Today, getting what you need is as easy as a trip to the store. From food to clothing, energy, medicine, and so much more, Andy George will discover what it takes to make everything from scratch. His mission is to understand the complex processes of manufacturing that is often taken for granted and do it all himself. Each week he’s traveling the world to bypass the modern supply chain in order to harvest raw materials straight from the source. Along the way, he’s answering the questions you never thought to ask.
Music by the talented Taylor Lewin
taylorlewin.com

[@MYG]

*Next Video:* Making my own regime to overthrow the government and enstating my currency as the global standard

[@logonontrily4161]

How to make: laws.

[@billnye1825]

@@logonontrily4161 Underrated comment

[@thatsalotofsodiumcoins1615]

Oddly specific and I like it

[@snowstrobe]

Future videos include: Learn what a 'banana republic' is. And, How to survive an uprising. And; What happens in a zombie apocolypse.

[@stormlewis5214]

Yes I agree the government has been oppressing us with taxes and rights we should bring in a new age

[@askquestionstrythings]

Yes, the plaster is causing the molten metal to bubble and explode was due to water in the plaster (plaster is a hydrated mineral) . You need a combination of both time and temperature, and you need to pour soon after they have been properly baked as they will start re-absorbing moisture from the air as it cools. It's usually not suggested to use regular plaster of Paris as it also is not porous enough to let gases escape. Casting plaster is specially formulated to deal with different types of metals and different pouring techniques like vacuum casting vs centrifugal castings vs naturally pressurized (i.e. atmospheric pressure gravity feed pour as you did here)

[@mortarsquad12]

Agreed, invest in some real casting plaster GET IT, INVESTMENT AAAAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAA

[@TheVictimOfficial]

Ba dum tss

[@Lccastaldo]

And you should have heated everything up before hand (the mold), but I bet you know this by now?

[@RayTomlin]

As a metalsmith this episode hurt... I give you a LOT of props for learning and attempting. Keep working and I would also suggest looking into the actual techniques used for better results.

[@KainYusanagi]

So, regarding your dies, I saw three major problems with them, and I hope these insights help you refine your process in the future: A lot of the primary problem (getting the design pressed to your coins) is that your surrounding die surfaces weren't pulled back but instead bulged out around the face of your dies, so the die pattern's surfaces were recessed instead of raised, which made it much harder to make a clear shape on pressing; of course you want your dies to have matching voids and raised portions on the faces so that they can sit flush against each other, but it's important that the actual work surface of the dies be raised from the immediate nearby area so the coin material is pressed between them directly, rather than caught at the edges and squeezed by the outer die head. Secondly to that, you were just trying to hammer the forms together, rather than using a die press to apply constant, even pressure. Two plates on four screws to clamp together is really all that's necessary, but a proper lever-based hand press provides more than enough force as well. If you did a simple die, like how signet rings were used to stamp in a signatory's crest in wax, you could have used it on the end of a punch and then hammered it against an anvil, but this form of die is a press die, specifically. The reason why constant pressure across the entire surface is so important is because it ensures that material is squeezed into the voids on the die's working face, giving the embossed letters or shape that you want. Hammering it out flat actually is a bad thing for this; you want a thick bead of metal that gets squeezed out into shape, with press dies. Thirdly and, in my opinion, most importantly, you kept ignoring the use of sprues, and the one time you did try to use one, you barely hot-wax'd it on, and when it snapped off when you were pouring your (too-thick) Plaster of Paris, you discarded it. The sprue channel isn't just there to allow air to escape so that bubbles won't form on the surface of the cast, but also so the metal doesn't splash around when you pour it, ensuring a nice, even coating of the surface of the mold, so those gaping pits don't form. The overpour for the sprue also lets the weight of the metal push down into all the cracks and crevices and any air bubbles that might form otherwise form in the sprue channel instead, which is just waste material to be reclaimed anyways.

[@wolfeverafter]

not to mention his dies was cold as its cold its drawing the heat from the silver if he heated the die a bit before he hammered then it would stay soft enough to form into the shape

[@KainYusanagi]

@@wolfeverafter It would definitely help, since then you woulldn't have as wide a temperature differential, but not necessary; it can also deform the die instead of the pressed material depending on the material of the die, which is a concern.

[@normancocksmell]

Your second point makes sense, but the screw press for coins wasn't developed until 1506. Before that coins were hammered in the way he is poorly trying to replicate.

[@farrelmahadika5611]

The next thing you know, he uploads "making my own country"

[@schottiey]

With Cody's Lab as his head of education/science

[@beastsomataw]

how to start a violent revolution

[@idontknowwhatiamdoinganymo1615]

How to establish a parliamentary government.

[@streetsign460]

I would move there

[@thetitanian5544]

@@schottiey Then that would mean butter would their downfall

[@bibianaburela]

This channel should be called "How to destroy crucibles" xD

[@angelthemage2972]

Agreed. All videos that have to do with metal ends up with at least one crucible dying in the process, sometimes even the furnace

[@karansainiscmhrd]

Crucible and furnaces manufacturers must love him such a high frequency repeat customer.

[@razinhailsharp]

That sounds like a great click bait title. "Crucibles hate him! Click to see why!" LOL

[@Gvtteddybear]

"The crucible! It's mine!"

[@matthewhovey6710]

what is up with that, i think it is that he is doing something wrong

[@enormhi]

I love the overall clumsiness of this channel

[@Zeppelinfaktor]

enormhi Welcome to Minnesota...

[@graeme.davidson]

So messy, you think he would improve with all the experience over the years.

[@shanefoster5305]

because he has no clue what he is doing... He could watch 2-3 youtube videos on casting and have 100 times better results.

[@ced3763]

I think the goal is not to succeed per say..

[@suspectsn0thing]

Think about how much trial and error it takes him to finally succeed, and then imagine how long it must have taken people to first figure these things out 2500 years ago!

[@baskoning9896]

Someone: 'lets make my own currency' IRS: 'helllooooooo!'

[@someup7786]

It’s legal.

[@buuam7555]

@@someup7786 I feel like the IRS would still want there cut 😂

[@quaianthegrimreaper7556]

imagine someone just gets like 500 million pounds of dirt, goes to the middle of nowhere in the ocean, builds a country, then makes a currency.

[@quaianthegrimreaper7556]

@Joe Mama OH SHIT

[@user-vi8ig8hx1g]

You can legally mint your own coins with your own image and name.

[@MsPurpleAfro]

I love how you've allowed yourself to use some modern tools along with trying to do it the old fashioned way. It provides a good comparison.

[@bobsagget823]

this video is pathetic. half assed with modern tools and the end result is horrible. How about you actually research and use the ancient techniques so we can all learn something instead of stuffing together some obvious bullshit and coming up with a result that's completely underwhelming.

[@MsPurpleAfro]

HA. Hahahahahaha. You are welcome to your opinion. However, the honest end result, whether great or "I'll try again in a later video" is why I love this channel. It's relatable and makes me think. I also love channels that show you the perfect, 100% way to get a result, where you learn only how to do it and nothing about the struggles previous civilizations might have gone through to perfect the method. Those channels appear to be more your style, and so I suggest you go watch them. The rest of us will stay here and enjoy.

[@MsHumanOfTheDecade]

Primitive ways are that, primitive. He could've built a gigantic crucible powered with fine coal, and mastered the art of coin inscription, but there'd be not much point. If they interest you so much, go out into the world and try yourself! Andy did what he could, and did a pretty good first try. Don't be such a downer, this is actually harder than it seems! At least when I tried lol

[@0xbenedikt]

You know, bobsagget what's really pathetic? You copy-pasting your opinion into every comment chain. You're quite butthurt over someone trying something out.

[@shanefoster5305]

This isn't primitive or modern. This is more like a kid experimenting with what he thinks might work. There are much better "primitive" methods, and much much better modern methods, and much better DIY methods... If he did even a little bit of research he would have found many ways to achieve a much better way of doing it.

[@masterimbecile]

HTBC: how to break crucibles

[@pribadiramadhan1753]

masterimbecile more like HTBK : how to break kiln

[@goodolboy0150]

How to be clumsy

[@goodolboy0150]

How to break coins

[@goodolboy0150]

How to build a country

[@jessehavok4181]

This is a very solid example of what it's like to not do any sort of research going into doing something.

[@ralakus8784]

Is it just me or do you always seem to have a problem with your crucibles breaking or overflowing?

[@goldenhoneybee7823]

Most of your videos confuse me. But this one actually makes cents.

[@marcoberriodi3685]

get out

[@juanblanco5398]

I loved that pum

[@williamhutton1752]

Well, if they don’t make cents, then they definitely don’t make any dollars.

[@xanderclause9828]

Pin this

[@thechosenone8808]

ba dum tss

[@xx6aesthetic9xx47]

what if he's just learning all this to create a new country tho

[@norapper6182]

A E S T H E T I C he's the one going to mars

[@daniel4647]

You should be more worried about the audience I think, why are people wanting to learn all this? Are they all preparing for the world after the apocalypse?

[@rootbeer4888]

People would then kill him.

[@nirmalsuki]

I am applying for citizenship in that country.

[@tylerrivas8542]

@@nirmalsuki me too

[@CrazySteve113]

5:12 Jesus, Christ, preheat your molds. This is so freaking dangerous.

[@mitchelreimer7095]

Don't blasphemy

[@zCreme]

Jesus Christ, he needs to preheat his molds. Thats so dangerous

[@sandervdbrink84]

The danger was not in the cold molds, but in the plaster that was still too wet.

[@martinlumber]

‘How To Make [A Mess Out Of] Everything

[@nickn.332]

P R E - H E A T Y O U R M O U L D S it will reduce offgassing significantly Good work though! I tried making dies in tool steel a couple years ago for the same purpose, and I can tell you you took the better route, I have never cut myself so many times off of chisels slipping.

[@askquestionstrythings]

Time and temperature are both critical to pouring in plaster. I don't think their temperature for the burn out and curing was high enough. The molds should also be poured while still hot... hot as or nearly hot as the molten metal typically.

[@askquestionstrythings]

@@zacharyj6465 spelling depends on what side of the pond you're on.

[@jasonsummit1885]

Although using a casting centrifuge works quite a bit better😁

[@askquestionstrythings]

@@jasonsummit1885 or vacuum casting is another better solution.

[@mortarsquad12]

@@jasonsummit1885 and is historically accurate, as is cuttle bone casting

[@stamasd8500]

Cool! Now you have enough money to pay three Roman legionnaires for one day, or one of them for 3 days. Also probably one Chinese warrior for a day or so. :)

[@mmuhee151]

Damn...

[@rodigoduterte9192]

stamasd but times never came back

[@thechosenone8808]

Or 5,000 africans

[@keepit100lucky7]

lewd damn bro

[@Targe0]

or 50 common folk for a day.

[@vyhn6111]

I would suggest doing things one step at a time instead of trying for the final product instantly. For the coin, I would have tested minting a regular shape, a square, instead of a complex design, words or a face. This way you can judge if the final product will work, while also troubleshooting mistakes. Otherwise, good tries and keep up the effort!

[@Thomas-cr4qm]

Yeah that's just good project management. Doing everything at once usually ends with the whole thing being garbage

[@rogalea]

What I learnt from these videos is that an average guy (despite spending thousands on modern tech) still can't make anything half as well as artisans 1000s of years ago.

[@HenryTheHedgeWizard]

You think ancient people could do it this well on their first few tries? Obviously if he continued minting coins for a long time, they would increase in quality.

[@vascidcorp]

@@HenryTheHedgeWizard The currently available evidence implies that this is not the case.

[@perrydowd9285]

You could try using a sandy clay for your moulding. It's more traditional & has the advantage that you can wedge out the air bubbles. The disadvantage is that it's prone to cracking in the kiln. I've never tried it though so there's a good chance l'm completely wrong.

[@askquestionstrythings]

Traditional green sand (sand mixed with bentonite clay and a tiny amount of water) is porous and will let gasses out (although venting is sometimes necessary). Green sand is typically not baked, although there are specialized technique called dry skining and dry molding where either the surfaces are dried or the whole mold is baked. Not all green sand formations can be baked to a dry mold. No real risk of a quality formulation cracking in the baking. If you want to see how an expert does dry molding go check out olfoundryman he has videos showing castings using that baked mold technique.

[@perrydowd9285]

Try It Thanks that's excellent. I'll check it out. :-)

[@cahproductions4695]

I've been looking into "foundering." Have to say. You did a great job with your molds. Big tip though. If you throw your mold in the oven 2 hours before you mold at 250 degrees and pull them out right before you cast your bronze you will have even a lesser chance at air bubbles

[@srboromir452]

CAH Productions when casting gold jewelry/dental stuff, ceramic moulds are often heated up to 1200-1500°F

[@MrVoidmonk]

well, if he knew just a bit of how to cast metals maybe he could have better results :D

[@micahphilson]

This week on HTME: Can You Cast a Bronze Mold?

[@iinkc4pp513]

Can you cast obsidian

[@erikakerboom2101]

no, no you cant

[@erikakerboom2101]

you can make it look like u can tho

[@tree4252]

Erik Akerboom can you understand a joke

[@tree4252]

Erik Akerboom no, no you cant

[@erictaylor5462]

I love it when people include their fails. It shows how hard it is to do something like this, and shows the process of analyzing and then avoiding making the same mistakes.

[@perrydowd9285]

You're just getting better & better.

[@leefurzero]

@@jimmycodmw2 So you are the genius here?Can't wait to see your show : ^ )

[@guillermo.mserrano]

I'd like to not have music during the entire video.

[@bobsagget823]

this video is pathetic. half assed with modern tools and the end result is horrible. How about you actually research and use the ancient techniques so we can all learn something instead of stuffing together some obvious bullshit and coming up with a result that's completely underwhelming.

[@jagboy69]

And YT actually pays this guy for this stuff. I couldn't even PAY people to watch my channel. Hell, I don't even show up in search results.

[@perrydowd9285]

嵐懶 Good job dude. Looks like + Josh S deleted his silly complaining. Thumbs up!

[@joshuakahky6891]

Insanity: Trying the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results

[@okumcpastorjoshb]

Your my sixth grade science teacher aren't you?

[@corbenmatthews9890]

Joshua Kahky far cry 3 lol

[@harz426]

Ugh that quote drives me absolutely nuts. It's a perfect example of people just hearing something and without even thinking about it for twelve seconds spreading it like the plague. Obviously doing the same thing over and over again to get better results is *not* insanity. It's actually how mankind has gotten us to where we were at. Variables in how things are done can and often do affect the final outcome--often variables that we don't even intend to change ourselves. By repeating something over again one can achieve very different results just from subtle fluctuations in the environment, different compositions of materials, etc. And no, Einstein didn't even say that ridiculous quote. It's just overly-proliferated cancer that needs to die.

[@joshuakahky6891]

Harrison Koch - Chill dude, it was a joke. Obviously he's trying to get better at it. I just thought it was humorous that the same thing kept going wrong every time.

[@Onxide]

They told me to question everything, so I asked why?

[@ShortwickCreations]

If you attempt future casting; DO NOT USE PLASTER!!!! Regardless how much you bake it you will never get all the water out, and when you pour the molten metal it will cause gas bubbles. Use sand casting for any future attempts. If you mill and sieve the sand and bentonite clay to the consistency of flour you can get extremely fine details.

[@ashknoecklein]

Knife-shaped currency is clearly the most badass money that's ever existed.

[@vascidcorp]

go look at the wheel money of the yap islanders.

[@gregoryhalye8907]

..... That's not how you anneal silver. Silver (and copper and many other metals) get "work hardened" .... they build up stresses as you hammer or shape them to your liking. In order to allow silver and copper to relax and remove this work hardened state, you anneal it by heating it up past it's critical point and then quenching it in water to QUICKLY COOL IT DOWN.

[@MGSLurmey]

Copper, silver and brass can all be annealed either by quenching in water to quickly cool or by slowly cooling in still air. Both work fine. The only metals that must anneal in still air and thus cool slowly are ferrous metals such as steel. Regardless, simply heating it past its recrystallization point releases internal stresses and increases its ductility without having to leave it to cool. He wasn't aiming to fully anneal the silver, just to anneal it enough so as to not let it become brittle from work hardening.

[@gabriel300010]

@@MGSLurmey imagine the face on the first dudes working steel, when they quench the steel to make it soft, and see it become awfully brittle

[@MGSLurmey]

@@gabriel300010 Haha! That would be funny to see. Though, I think it probably went a little differently considering they learnt steel forging over a very long timespan. ;)

[@lukecope4212]

@@MGSLurmey the word you're looking for what you described about ferrous metals such as steel is normalizing. Normalizing is heating past critical temp and air cooling. Annealing is slowly cooling them over an extended period of time such as hours or even days for some alloys.

[@MGSLurmey]

@@lukecope4212 Thanks for this! I didn't know there was a different name for the slightly different processes. Always handy to learn new little tidbits like that.

[@marcusharrington4017]

Easily my favourite channel!

[@indoorsandout3022]

I just love how this guy has the crafting skill of an infomercial model, but still gives it a shot. I wish more people were like that.

[@dbseamz]

The (relative) lack of skill (I doubt I could do better at most of the stuff he does) is part of the channel's concept: "could an average person (as in, not someone who's had a lot of training in any particular skill) do these things?" If he was better at it the channel would become "watch this trained craftsman make stuff", which, though an interesting concept, is not what I think any of us came here for. And I agree that his cheerful "try it anyway" attitude is great!

[@indoorsandout3022]

@@dbseamz Part of what's wrong with our society is reliance on experts instead of reliance on yourself. Most people I know won't even attempt a project if they're not trained by an expert first. My parents can't even fix things themselves because they rely on experts so much. I made them a coffee table, they sat on it and snapped a leg off. They sent me a picture of the damage. It could be fixed with 2 screws. I told them how to do it, and they refused to even try because they weren't expert woodworkers. It's just a couple of screws people! JFC

[@UnknowinglyDerpy]

Andy is slowly becoming a Jack of all trades... Literally

[@MangoInfinity1]

UnknowinglyDerpy Andy of all trades

[@shanefoster5305]

that would imply he is competent on said trades...

[@nuip7936]

Shane Foster jack of all trades, master of none

[@shanefoster5305]

KrabKringe nah a jack of all trades at least has basic skills. This video pretty much proves he doesn’t even have that. Attempting something doesn’t mean you have skill. It just means you tried. Just watch any blacksmithing video on making a touchmark and you’ll see thousands of better videos than this from even beginner blacksmiths. Same goes for the foundry and pouring a casting...

[@robbicu]

I bet there are hours of footage you can't use because Andy was being too silly, or said something inappropriate! LOL Would love to see that!

[@Searching4Solace]

Unlisted blooper reel, link in description. Please do this

[@derpydogz0259]

Lol

[@bobsagget823]

this video is pathetic. half assed with modern tools and the end result is horrible. How about you actually research and use the ancient techniques so we can all learn something instead of stuffing together some obvious bullshit and coming up with a result that's completely underwhelming.

[@simplegreen6596]

man gonna have to agree. i appreciate andy's ambition but research and execution is pretty bad. Editing is the cleanest part of these videos. I get the idea of "an average joe" trying to do this but... kinda feel like you gents need to prep a bit better. the goofiness is a bit over powering.

[@furrycircuitry2378]

bobsagget823 did you make a coin?

[@sirflimflam]

Your plaster consistency is really...thick.

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

Thicc

[@davidlong2691]

hate to be a buzzkill, but I feel like it would have been easier to cast a cylindrical die blank and engrave with hammer and chisel. Sometimes people think casting is the only way the greeks and romans made metallic goods, but as long as we're talking iron age they would have had chisels. You can search hand engraving on YT for some good examples of way more detail achieved with a hammer and chisel. and Clickspring has theories that they would have had files as well which make metal shaping easier.

[@Lugstetter]

The plaster is the problem, there is always moisture trapped inside wich causes bubbling also the finer details crack because of the thermic shock. Also you should use warm tools when working the wax positive

[@amandatang6837]

14:10 I thought the cat was a racoon 😌😂

[@jypsridic]

At first I thought it was a beaver.

[@jacoobart]

Thank you! Thought I was the only one

[@craftpaint1644]

Possum to my eyes.

[@rileybrower7736]

This has gone so far as a series. Thank you guys for such great content.

[@norika2965]

I’m glad the appreciation for old coins is shown here and the history and difficult work it takes to make it look useable.

[@maxmccormick4274]

This is the best channel because it's family friendly and interesting and fun.

[@elxis3135]

Bruh i swear all kids watch these days r jake n logan, but the utubers that create actual content dont even have a mil subs

[@sagepierson4196]

I will never understand how someone can have so much patience, especially after watching a few of these videos. Kudos to you and dude.

[@TeSolycMandalor]

Determination

[@A_piece_of_broccoli]

makes literally anything in the shape of food. my mind: "don't do it" my heart: "you will die if you don't" my body: "bites into nom wax"

[@sirfishslayer5100]

FYI, heating up your die molds with a torch before and while you pour should keep the molten metal from bubbling up. Even though you dried them in the oven, just being in the air they absorb moisture which is one reason you got the bubbles.

[@sammyboy1236]

you should try to make your own light bulb!!

[@askquestionstrythings]

It's going to take a lot of hours to level up to refining tungsten... but could start with the simple carbon arc lamp's to make a simple first lightbulb.

[@natertater4024]

Haha I thought the same thing. I guess I should have read the comments before saying that lol. Good thinking...

[@dwaynewladyka577]

I really love this channel. I do have some older Canadian coins, some are pre 1968. One Canadian quarter I have is from the 1940s. I heard that Canadian quarters made prior to 1968 were made of silver. The older quarters I have, have a characteristic tarnish, that exists with silver. Keep up the great work. Hope you have a great weekend.

[@Birdmannom]

"How to sort of do everything but not very well", I can't stop watching these videos

[@petegalvs]

Watching this guy do anything is very painful.

[@JeffHokie]

I just watch to chuckle.

[@jaybayer3670]

Seriously. Jfc

[@bluecat52]

How so? This is an educational channel about how to do Everything. What's painful about that?

[@petegalvs]

@@bluecat52 Because he's not very good at doing everything. I admire his efforts, but the sheer lack of success is painful to watch.

[@Ethan-wx7is]

@@petegalvs no one is good at everything

[@Targe0]

I would make a mother cast out of wood and pour wax onto it to save having to re-carve the emblems each time would also help with consistence in your design. What could also help is to cast the coin on its side instead of on it's face that way it's harder for gas bubbles to get stuck under it, you would need to design in the rest of the mold proper around it this way instead of just using the rest of the pour area as you seem to be doing.

[@tritongeeves9371]

Next episode: How to get removed from the fbi watchlist

[@roland4240]

Plaster isnt good for casting the really hot metals like copper and silver. This is because the heat actually causes the plaster to disintegrate. Also you should make a setup that holds the two dies together on the same centerline. Also a thought: start making a.few good quality coins then make a ggiveaway for patreon supporters.

[@Bloated_Tony_Danza]

Roland-231 what’s funny about plaster casting is that since it’s made from gypsum, which is a sulphate mineral, you’ll know immediately when it’s breaking down because everything around you, including your clothes, will reek of poopy farts

[@marcushowell5898]

If you want better results, you should make the coin thinner so it has less mass for air pockets to go into, so there is less air and less problems. You work hard, and we all need help sometimes. And you chose to work this hard for your job, even when you could do other things. You find this fun, and keep it going for the rest of us, you keep it alive. So thank you, because you help us try, help us get past. Its time *we* help *you*

[@simtexx791]

This channel should’ve been called “how to make a mess” Cool content got a sub

[@Mr.ZooKeeper]

Andy, You can buy a much harder wax from jewelry supply stores. Much easier to carve fine detail into it.

[@thaiseathaydesantos]

I seriously can't understand how can you be so patient, but I'm glad you are, I really like this channel.

[@WallHaxxx]

You should have carved your design out of something harder and then pressed it into the wax. Then you have a master copy. Also, you need a lot more holes in your cans (wrap it in tape while pouring the plaster, then remove once set) that way it dries better. You should also make sure they are hot when you pour as they pick up moisture. You should have also cleaned up your dies more. Take them to a belt sander to knock down the high edges and you should be able to make more precise coins.

[@TheRashaver]

How does this guy not have a million followers yet??

[@bharathakash9245]

Because he is a mess.

[@ShadowPoet]

He's too sloppy... has zero dexterity... focuses on video editing instead of actually accomplishing anything remotely resembling a successful attempt at "making" something. He has zero standards for quality and tends to bumble from scene to scene just to get enough content to make a video.

[@ebrahimhassan9758]

The most underrated channel on youtube

[@45nickname]

For lost wax molds using Plaster of Paris, the plaster need to be annealed as well as heated. I wasn't clear if you did this or not, but it is also beneficial to use about a 50/50 mix of Plaster of Paris and fine sand, by volume.(which you should mix when dry). The annealing cast as much water out as possible n and the sand helps with the heat tolerances of plaster of paris, artificially increasing how much heat it can take before failure. To properly anneal it you should do as you did, melt out the wax at low temps, but then increase the temperature of the oven close to the melting point of the metal. In your case you used bronze, which melts around 1000C, so after you melt out the way, you should increase the temp of the oven by about 100C every 30 minutes or 200C every hour until you reach that temperature. The Plaster should fail until around 1200C, but it will become more brittle. It doesn't need to be incredibly precise, that rough progression lets the water evaporate out of the plaster cleanly without marring the surface as well as casting out a lot more of the water than you can at standard home oven temperatures. This comes from hours of research on message boards and dozens of failed casts in my own backyard.

[@historichomestead]

The problems you are running into is that the plaster of Paris has a thermal reaction as it is setting up. That causes the wax to begin to melt prematurely and distort the image you made. So to make a better die most were cast using clay as base for the mold. In addition. When casting the dies it is important to preheat them in that reguard.

[@holnrew]

You have so much more patience and determination than I do

[@jperez7893]

didn't they probably make a master first in actual bronze how it would have looked like and then poured a plaster then do the lost wax for the master die?

[@Bloated_Tony_Danza]

J Perez hmm good question. Wax is significantly easier to carve though so I’m not sure what they would have done. I heard that there’s almost zero documentation on how romans minted coins because it was a very secretive process.

[@maximilienrobespierre7927]

I think if this guy learns how to all of these things flawlessly, he'll be really valued by prepper communities xD

[@JustinTopp]

I love the videos man your starting to grow.

[@jerrymcfletcher3672]

5:06 This, this is why we can't have nice things Andy.

[@anneinfurna8528]

My next video-- I learn to make an Eye patch, and an artificial finger to replace the one I lost getting a million views on YT ...

[@sandervdbrink84]

The problem is in the metal casting. Skim off the slag, preheat your molds, make sure it's all dry, and make sure the temperature of the crucible and it's contents is correct.

[@fishingwithspencie]

I cant believe this meme of a man is still making videos. HTME should stand for "How To Mess up Everything"

[@thehipmyster]

What a "coincidence" I actually just got into coins over the past couple of days!

[@imduc2]

Numistic or bullion?~

[@dbseamz]

Truly a COINcidence

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

One of the things you could to do make a cheap but fancy looking coin is get some iron, copper or steel (perhaps home made) and plate some coins in gold after striking them.

[@adamdavey6102]

Matt Brine or make fake gold ingots

[@photonicpizza1466]

Copper would work best if you want to use electroplating! Easiest method for plating metals in gold.

[@VRWarLab]

After watching the video for a second time now I imagine some archeologists finding stuff from people that tried to replicate previous cultures by doing primitive things and now we think that in medieval times crusaders didn't use laser guns because a kiddo wrapped tin foil around a stick to make a Minecraft iron sword.

[@RadagonTheRed]

The patience and attention to detail is astonishing and admirable, especially in this age of instant gratification.

[@drao27]

Woah. This is of your first video that I saw. Favorite youtuber. Just subbed! Keep up the great content!

[@carterhicks7441]

Love your guy's content, keep it up!

[@NamLe-gr6xp]

Imagine his neighbors going like: “Ah, it’s that guy again.. hopefully the whole neighborhood doesn’t burn down!”

[@jessecohen5136]

For future reference, x-acto knives are not usually used by wax carvers for producing the major features of designs. More typically, they use dental tools, some of which - the flat ones, typically - are occasionally also heated in a flame to smooth out the image being created. Since they are designed for removing material, they’re much better suited to this type of carving and produce more consistent results. Source: my mother, who has been a jeweler and first-rate wax carver for about 55 years, taught me a bit of her craft.

[@georgeh5075]

One of my favorite channels on KZbin. Your ethos is inspiring.

[@cnknguyen]

i use the teeth of my kills as currency.

[@liamcraft9844]

I used to work in an Aluminium smelter and from what i gathered, pockets can be reduced by preheating the molds. The molten metal meeting the cold die will quickly solidify in small undesired shapes which can all add up to one big mess. It also ensures their is no left over moisture. I didn't notice if you had done this or not, but if not it's something to keep in mind next time. Love your work!

[@askquestionstrythings]

The cold molds are definitely a problem. When casting in plaster you also need to bake at both the right temperature and the right amount of time. For something like lost wax casting there are three steps, first melting out the wax, then burn out of the residue, followed by high temperature curing. Pouring should be while the plaster is still hot (as hot or nearly as hot as the molten metal) as the plaster will reabsorb moisture from the air. Investment plasters have other things added to them making them a different formulation from the stuff you get at the hardware store. There are also different formulations for different types of plaster casting techniques like vacuum casting vs centrifugal castings etc.

[@TheGamesXshow]

i recently discovered your channel and i cant stop my self from binge watching all the videos this channel is amazing

[@hfoxhaxfox1841]

Who the f*ck dislikes a video when a guy goes through this much work?

[@sherpajones]

Probably someone who values organization, planning, and skill. His work is sloppy and poorly planned at best.

[@melaniemelicious8791]

Just a reminder for comment readers: Consider supporting HTME on patreon.

[@ShadowPoet]

Hard pass... I'd rather support a real artisan that has the semblance of standards for their work.

[@aster9953]

I swear, how do you still not have 10 million subscribers yet?!?! These videos are freaking awesome!

[@papaeriko1095]

I just binged so many of your videos. Don't stop what your doing.

[@thepirate819]

I’ve been waiting for this video forever I make my own coins

[@vixonhq3417]

you should make paper currency next!

[@brainwashedarchive]

10:59

[@vixonhq3417]

i know im that guy that always comments before the video.

[@LMF5000]

I have two suggestions: 1. Make the wax mold by hand the first time to show how it's done, but 3D-print them for subsequent attempts. So you don't waste hours painstakingly marking it by hand. Contact me if you want help with this, I'm an engineer who does design and printing. 2. Instead of casting with the desired shape on the bottom, rotate your mold 90 degrees so you do it with the shape on the side. It makes it much easier for bubbles to escape. I will try and dig up a video of what I mean and put it as a reply to this comment.

[@lank_asif]

*Price of:* Plaster of Paris = $20 Silver = $200 A crucible = $50 A furnace = $1550 Throwing your half-baked DIY silver "coins" in the trash and paying with a credit card = priceless!

[@tartarusthegodoftheabyss974]

Fun fact lidya was distructed becouse they had no real soliders only hired guns so when they got attacked the civilisaiton that attacked them bought all of there soliders

[@ShadowPoet]

Fun fact... guns weren't invented during the time Lidya was around...

[@derpyfpv668]

@@ShadowPoet it's not saying that they had guns, he's using the term guns, as random, non militarized people with weapons. It's a metaphor. (I think it's a metaphor, correct me if I'm wrong)

[@imduc2]

@@derpyfpv668 aka malitia?

[@MGSLurmey]

Mercenaries. They're mercenaries.

[@MGSLurmey]

@@imduc2 Militia is a formal army raised from the civilian populace, not consisting of professionally hired and trained soldiers. Mercenaries are soldiers who are not part of a regular army or other governmental military force and may be hired to take part in armed conflicts. They fight for monetary or other recompenses rather than political interests. Lydia, according to the OP, didn't have any regular army or militia. They hired mercenaries to fight their battles, and their downfall was caused by an invader tactically hiring the same mercenaries that Lydia would, leaving them defenceless.

[@saikorrapati5129]

This is awesome!!

[@Treezy-07]

In art class when casting stuff we put the mold with the still liquid metal into a centrifuge to force the metal down in and the air bubbles out, maybe try something like that.

[@Merennulli]

Thousands of years from now, an archaeologist is going to find your house and be VERY confused.

[@rachelpang310]

Oh Andy I love you, keep trying awesome things!

[@thatguy2185]

There's a reason why I subscribed

[@robertocuesta7778]

Probably someone has thought of this before, but since you are having a lot of trouble with castings in general I have a couple of ideas: Once you have put the molten metal into the mold, heat the mold so the molten metal does not cool before it can get through the whole area of the mold. after a bit start cooling. Once the metal is poured, add some pressure to make sure the cast is less porous and complete.

[@sorasarielcl]

On the next episode of HTME: How to build a house

[@rainbowabyss2228]

This is very interesting. Keep up the good work!!

[@jaayy4478]

How to mint everything

[@adamamaru4535]

“Xdxd you make EVERYTHING?” “Yes” 3:42

[@janisfroehlig7744]

Just a tip for (much) faster subsequent wax positives: make a silicone mold around your wax positive. Make your wax positive, and then super-mix/squish up a tube of silicone (not the mold-resistant stuff) in dish-soapy water. Within the next couple of minutes, with super soapy hands, form your silicone negative around your wax positive, either just the half you need or with a cut-line and a pour-in sprue (and air vents/sprues) in mind. Let it cure for 20-30 minutes, and cut it in half along the cut-line you planned. Remove the wax positive and use it in your first plaster mold. You can pour as many hot wax positives as you want in your rubber-band-bound silicone mold. HTH.

[@himamsusubedi4129]

Love your content