Which Coin Casting Method Works Better? - Steel Mold VS Sand Mold

[@bigstackD]

Mmmmm golden coins🤤🤤🤤

[@ArtByAdrock]

Mmmmmm is right! I’m really enjoying making these coins 👍🏻🍺🍺🍺

[@ArtByAdrock]

Glad you liked 👍🏻

[@Mistertbones]

Both came out great, but I think the sand molded ones came out better. That recycled sand really works well!

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks! I agree :)

[@susanserwatka931]

I love the 3D printed ones much better. They are more uniform and shiny. Great job Adrock!

[@RobinhoodCoins]

The 3D printing ones are great!

[@vogman]

Good experiment. Personally I prefer the crispness of the 3D prints, but I admire the skill that went into the steel molds. Clean up must have been a killer. What you need is a vibration tumbler. If only there was a good video on how to make one… oh, hang on… I know a bloke who’s just done one ; ) Excellent work as always my friend.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks buddy 👍🏻 hmmm maybe I do need to make one of those 🤔😁

[@awldune]

The ring mold process really appeals to me in its simplicity. OTOH the sand mold gives you flames shooting out the risers! I actually like the chunky coins even if they are less coin-like.

[@ArtByAdrock]

It’s definitely easier to do the steel ones especially going forward. But yeah the flames in the sand was actually satisfying 👍🏻

[@kadinfleming1237]

I think the sand casted coins are better. They came out great!!! Love the videos👍👍👍🖒🖒🖒

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy 👍🏻

[@Thumper1968]

I like the 3-D thinner coins the best. Love the Golden Knights coin! Great stuff.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you! Glad you liked it 👍🏻

[@artursmihelsons415]

Sand mold casting coins are the best because of a level of details.. plus, design can be casted from booth sides..

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yes I agree 👍🏻 it’s more work but the results are much better

[@aspitofmud6257]

Those are the best cast coins I've seen so far. Nice job! I believe the coins today are formed under hydraulic pressure and polished steel dies.

[@Metalstacker]

Oh and the sand casted ones are beautiful! Looks like real coins good job!

[@jeffharmon7927]

Glad to see you heat mold first this time no need to repeat past explosions lol

[@ArtByAdrock]

Haha exactly! No more explosions in my face 😆

[@williamcooper9182]

Like the ones made n the sand...both turned out great....

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks buddy 👍🏻

[@giggidygiggidy4884]

I 100% prefer the sand casted/3D printed ones. They way more precise and uniform. Great video as usual. 👍🏼

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks buddy! I’d have to agree with you 👍🏻

[@opusprimum7681]

You could preheat and put some soot in the steel molds and youll probably get a much better result. 😁

[@markbaver7279]

I like the sand molded coins!

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks. I like those better as well 👍🏻

[@castingtechnology3338]

Another great video! I LOVE the copper 3d printed ArtByAdrock coins.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks! Glad you liked it. I’ll prob do a bunch more for a giveaway down the road 👍🏻

[@walter2990]

Sand cast seem better, but both types are pretty dang great! Thanks for the info! I'll be trying both methods myself.

[@dougdennis3681]

Love it. I'd happily buy one of your sand casted "Art By" and the Spartan helmet.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you! I’ll make some more of your interested in buying some 👍🏻 shoot me an email or Instagram messages and we can talk more

[@dougdennis3681]

Absolutely!

[@steven2212]

Fabulous. Your sub count is rising nicely. Enjoyed this.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks buddy! Glad you enjoyed 👍🏻

[@cptrikester2671]

Nice experiment. Sand ones look better and they could be made double sided. Great videos every week from you guys.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks and yes they can 👍🏻 I think I’ll stick with sand from now on :)

[@wesleymorrison9941]

From experience, both. I use sand for the detailed faces and steel for the flat sides. Try it out.

[@mimked]

Never heard about the steel mold method, so that was interesting to see. But I still like the sand mold better.

[@augielimon7029]

If you have a oxy acetylene torch try treating your steel molds that you carved with a carburizing flame this will deposit a good thin layer of carbon on your Steel it could help from sticking problems. I love all your videos and have learned very much from your videos. I hope you try this and it works for you if it does please let me know. Greetings from Phelan California my name is Auggie Limon.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks I’ll have to give that a try 👍🏻

[@FREDSHED]

sand, but the steel have that back yard cast look, that's cool to, i like both methods.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yeah I think so too 👍🏻 they were both fun to do :)

[@gothicangel6313]

The sand ones were way better. They look really awesome! 😍😍😍😁😁😁 Definitely coin like and you have to do less work w/ them. Which is always a plus, because this stuff takes a lot out of you if you've been doing it for awhile. At least you did both though to show us the difference. Totally awesome. 😊😀

[@brassmagnet4795]

Sand Casting IMO came out best.

[@ArtByAdrock]

I agree with you on that 👍🏻

[@frankiearmstrong2777]

Sand. Nice job!!

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks! 👍🏻

[@SuperVertraulich]

Just because you messed up the steel coin mold, doesnt mean that they produce the better coins in general and with a lot less waste. If you CNC the steel molds, your results will be much better. The thickness is a thing that I see in many of your videos, you make them almost everytime much to big. If you use shorter cylinders that problem will go away. Just make them as high as you want the coins to be thick.

[@suoppsdn9751]

Very nice coins indeed. What method do you suggest for a beginner?

[@mass4552]

If you were pouring ingots it might not make too much difference but for coins the consistency in thickness and the design quality is far better.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Absolutely 💋

[@Gunit-xd1ll]

Deff the sand casted but I would still take both

[@ArtByAdrock]

Totally agree 👍🏻

[@askquestionstrythings]

Definitely prefer the sand casted ones, if only you had opted for a tapered sprue and a pouring basin. Great results in the end.

[@ranjah76]

Nice. I would love to turn some of those on the lathe for you. Get the backs and sides pretty

[@ArtByAdrock]

That would be awesome! Contact me and let’s talk 👍🏻 a lathe will be a future purchase of mine

[@alrosenfeld5958]

Gotcha! Notifications are awesome.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yes they are 👍🏻

[@T1jetmech]

Sand cast all the way. Nice coins!!

[@Thewulf56]

Nice looking coins there. They all came out good. At least with the casting ones you can control the thickness. Can't wait to get my printer in next week to try something similar.

[@ArtByAdrock]

You’ll be happy you did 👍🏻

[@tbkustomknives8907]

Awesome stuff nice detail👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you! Glad you liked 👍🏻

[@PolishMafia928]

I’m getting a 3D printer😂✊🏼. Great video bro🤙🏼

[@Charlielizard]

Loved the video, great job. The steel mold looked awesome. I would go with those. 👍👍👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks! Yeah I enjoyed making both of them 👍🏻

[@Squishay1]

What do you do with the 3d molds after you use them? I just picture a closet like bigstackds just full of molds

[@ArtByAdrock]

Haha that’s a very good question that hasn’t been asked yet 👍🏻 they are actually in my garage in a box. Depending on what it is I either reuse them to make more pieces to sell or they sit in a box untouched. 🤷🏻‍♂️ thanks for the comment.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

Sand-cast, clearly. But it's a bit of apples and oranges, as different casting materials were used. Would have been nice to see both materials in both molds.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yeah I prob should have done that 👍🏻 I will next time

[@skydlimit7583]

Where did you get your propane line set up with the torch end?

[@workout208]

How high is your garage ceiling? And did you need to fire proof it?

[@ArtByAdrock]

No I didn’t need to fireproof it. Normally I melt outside though unless it’s raining or really windy

[@sjlarue1]

The best thing about 3D printing and casting the coins...you can also print a backside and all your channels, sprues/vent placements as well...repetition and replication.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Exactly 👍🏻

[@MonkeyTron69]

What if you made a steel mold, like a bullet mold with two parts that create both halves of the coins. Excellent job btw 👏👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

I’ll probably be trying that with graphite soon 👍🏻 thanks

[@William_Borgeson]

The sand casting came out much more crisper but it's a lot more work than with the steel, just goes to show that hard work pays off. I'm just wondering if you could make the designs on the steel plate a lot finer then coat it with graphite to help it release better. And lol on the hockey puck idea, I'd probably break my sticks hitting those things. Interesting comparison, and thanks for the video!

[@tomharrell1954]

The sand mold are better. I am not complaining but did you know that much more detail is possible with sand mold than what you did. Sprinkle the sand on real silver dollar coins with a sifter to keep the sand particles small. Then flip the drag over, put on the cope and add a layer of talc around the coins then sprinkle more green sand. Only the sand touching coins needs to be sprinkled. You will be amazed at what will come out!!!!! Have fun be careful! Love the video!!

[@Gilxen]

I like the sand casting method better. there's more detail as well as size consistency

[@johnnymwillis7133]

Do you ever do double sided coins or medallions? I love the way the you created the molds and designs. I have seen your designs on "bigstackD". Awesome work.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you! 👍🏻 yeah sometimes I do double sided depending on what I’m doing. A few months back I did an overwatch coin that was double sided if you search for that video.

[@hotheadsniper]

please can you tell me which machine did you use to cut down and polish the sand casting coins?what are the called? And if cannot get them where I live which hand tools will be the best altenatives for those machines?

[@louisphoenix8941]

I like the sand molded coins myself. However, could the steel molds have worked better with some preheating and graphite as mold release? Just a thought.

[@thetemplewithdocvencil364]

I am wondering if the designs for the 3D printing of the coin molds are in public domain. How might I design a coin?

[@mountainviews5025]

Show us how you made your foundry thanks great video thumbs up my friend

[@vincedibona4687]

I definitely like the sand-molded ones better. Could you make reeded edges with sand casting, or would you need something finer for that?

[@ArtByAdrock]

Reeded? Not sure what you mean

[@chelsey-robertredmon4943]

Def like the sand poured better. Greater control on size

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yes the sand poured much better and more accurate 👍🏻

[@nickeldime3867]

Very nice pours both of them

[@ralphmourik]

The 3D prints in the sand worked a lot better, as expected I guess. 1 thing though, at 6:22 you said to make the other coins out of copper, and yet they look golden. Dropped in some Aluminum with the pipes ? 😂👍 Awesome work like always 👍👍👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks buddy! 👍🏻 I didn’t add in any aluminum to the copper ones. They just came out like that 🤷🏻‍♂️ maybe there was some left in the crucible

[@ralphmourik]

@@ArtByAdrock Golden coins look better than copper coins I think.👍👍👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yes they do 😁

[@hyperhektor7733]

btw did you know you can turn steel golden easily? by tempering slowing with gastorch (takes only 1-2minutes) i did this with a knife and looks awesome. that would worlk on steel coins too (first polish then tempering) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tempering_standards_used_in_blacksmithing.JPG 200deg C can be done also in a kitchen oven (but takes ~ 15-20min for heating up)

[@dragonknight1297]

hello and nice video. as for the results, I think, to me it's pretty obvious, that sand casts are clearly better, yet require a lot more work... all the best in your future endeavors.

[@dragonknight1297]

and if for some reason you do not know it already, there is a guy that does/did this kind of thing super skillfully - myfordboy the name of the channel

[@biggertrees]

I'm wondering what is the thinnest you can pour with out getting cold shots?

[@ArtByAdrock]

I’ve tried pouring thinner before and the results aren’t that good sometimes. I’m better off shaving down something if I want it thinner 👍🏻

[@biggertrees]

@@ArtByAdrock have you tried pouring hotter. 750° is the hottest temp to pour aluminum with. Also something to try is place vent hole on the cope to allow for faster pouring , and increase the size of the downsprue. Instead of pouring from multiple places use runners. I'm in the process of building my own backyard melting contraption. I did do metallurgy testing for a local foundry hoping to maybe but some of that knowledge to good use.

[@AdisiTaliWaya]

I think the sand ones are better. Also was that smelter made from a propane tank? I would love to see how that was made.

[@endervanes3327]

It's good work !

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@darkstar7897]

Yeah I think the sand casting is the way to go... better detail and overall more uniform...btw do you sell any of your paintings? If so please send a link... keep up the good work 👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yeah I think so too.. which painting were you looking at? Some of them I sell but I do custom ones for people too depending on what they want 👍🏻

[@darkstar7897]

I saw a video that you were showing a few of them on your wall and really liked your style ... was curious about average price

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks 👍🏻 I’ll show a few of them on my community page later. If there’s something custom you want done contact me and we’ll talk. I like painting on wood and usually do 24”x24” but it doesn’t have to be

[@Metalstacker]

Good job on the coins Adam! I am just back from sailing with the navy so have to keep up with some older vids. Great the coins came loose from the steel plate. Just saw Dion had some trouble with his clean steel plate coins 🤣🤣👍👍👍

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks.. haha yeah I saw that too. I’ve had them stick to mine too. The key is to take them off right away. If they cool too much they get stuck like that

[@thetemplewithdocvencil364]

could you share you design for printing the coins, in stI? I'd Iike to Iearn how to design a coin for printing. I am wanting to make coins for the guy who supplies me with brass.

[@3DWoodWorks]

I like the carved steel. Beffy thick coins

[@BillyBob-si2db]

Entertaining video as usual... As for which is better, I don't think it is a fair comparison. Mainly because the casting into steel was not done with care. What I mean is that if you were to properly machine/Mill the design into the metal, it would have more of a clean finish like the plastic 3D printed parts which you use for the impression in the sand. So, it would be cool if you have the resources or a connection with someone who could machine/mill a nice detailed smooth steel mold for you to cast into and see what that looks like. This would be especially better for someone wanting to produce multiple similar parts and not have to go through the time consuming exercise of packing the sand carefully.

[@Codylun92]

The Golden Knights coins are sick! Any chance you'd sell? I'd love to have one.

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thanks! Yeah I’m gonna make a bunch more and put them up for sale on my website 👍🏻 hopefully in the next week or 2

[@Codylun92]

Sounds good And if you ever do a Red Wings one let me know 😏

[@ArtByAdrock]

I might be able to squeeze a couple of those in as well 😉 I’ll just have to model it first

[@kinggeneral2146]

Здравствуйте. Не скажете ли вы? Почему кипить алюмини во время литьё в песчаную форму. У меня не получается. Попробовал не менее 20 раз, во всех попытках алюмин кипить при литьё.

[@iampeople.1709]

Wow... Nice.

[@roadrunner7203]

Thank you great video!

[@timothygee8566]

Love the golden knights coins. . Do you live in Vegas area?

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you 🙏 yes I do. Are you local out here

[@timothygee8566]

@@ArtByAdrock yes i do. Moved from southern utah a couple years ago. The casting process is very fascinating. I make knives and need to rebuild my forge and found your channel. Thank you for sharing

[@NoName01972]

Best be careful, you may be getting a call from Gary Bettman about using the VGK logo without permission. Ha! Nice work, I like the sand casting better, the lines are more crisp and everything is uniform.

[@tanaditan371]

What if next vid is mold penny (2 side coin) it's possible?

[@ThePEI]

made thinner and not polished up, the steel ones are better. remind me of old coins. but just one looks... the sand cast, but a lot of the look is from the machine made pattern so looked cleaner

[@bigredbullion3883]

Very awsome coins

[@nessunnick]

Love the video! What material did you use to get such smooth 3D printed model coins?

[@cptrikester2671]

I'm about to make some coins and found this again👍 The 3D printed ones are nicer and it would be easy to do double sided. I don't have a printer and want to make about 50 same two sided coins, so thinking about a steel press die set up for molten aluminum. Any suggestions?

[@spacecasejlp5373]

I would love to see you make a sand casted cast iron ingot mold.

[@OrudoVansan]

3D printed ones, you missed the opportunity to do two sided coins. Obverse=Design & Reverse="Art by Adrock" Maybe next time ;) Looks great!

[@gbenincasa]

How much propane did you use while melting the copper for the 3D printed coins?

[@ArtByAdrock]

About $3

[@gregbarr4313]

I like the sand mold ones

[@karlphillips3035]

Of course there is no comparison in the finished product because the methods of creating the molds were not comparable. Using the methods you used, the sand cast product is superior, but if the steel molds were cnc cut rather than by hand engraving (as the sand cast models were cnc printed), and they had both been 2 part or backed molds, then with certainty, the steel molds would have produced a far superior coin. Even without a steel cutting cnc machine, a simple deep acid etch on the steel would have provided a much better cast with far crisper detail than the sand cast coins.

[@vcythandle1912]

lovely

[@ArtByAdrock]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@markusjohansson159]

Viktor Arvidsson is Great! The Woodpecker from Kusmark

[@swtbbyjms3806]

I’m trying to find a person that could make a double sided coin mould about 3 inches diameter and 3/8 thick. Something like a bullet mould or waffle iron, so it doesn’t take so much work to do a bunch. Anybody know a place?

[@geoffreymietzner2368]

Sand molded ones look a lot better

[@ArtByAdrock]

I agree completely.. they came out much better 👍🏻

[@liteney]

Thumbs up for the Knights!! Vegas Strong

[@electromagic3111]

I like copper golden😅😃😄

[@electromagic3111]

I hope the sword in the next video🙄☺☺☺☺😃

[@evileyemcgaming]

i go with sand mold it come out cleaner better looking

[@ArtByAdrock]

Yeah I think so too 👍🏻

[@vegardthedude3754]

How much are they Worth for these golden coins?

[@ArtByAdrock]

I usually sell the for $15 a piece

[@kitukundunda4068]

kituku

[@bradgamwell3584]

It was kind of an unfair comparison: essentially hand-carved vs machine made. You need to do it again but with a cnc machine cut design in the steel plate and shorter mold sides. Still a cool video though!

[@koobo100]

Sand mold looks best

[@ArtByAdrock]

I think so too 👍🏻

[@coercriseareach3153]

Am I looking at this wrong or is the $ reversed on the coins?

[@ArtByAdrock]

Haha no I printed it backwards 🤦🏻‍♂️ that’s what happens when you rush things

[@mindofmadness5593]

Well, the 3d ones were nicer, however, every time I pour copper it comes out tarnished and I'd have to grind the lettering off. lol so it's all better than mine so-far. :P

[@roland4240]

I know this is a late post, and you might not see this. but since you like to do a little description in by your 3d printer why don't you decorate that wall with some of your work.

[@ArtByAdrock]

I’ve thought about it just haven’t decided what to do yet 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@roland4240]

@@ArtByAdrock check your channel and see what vids have the fewest views. Then put those projects on a shelve, that might get people to go back and watch them, giving you that sweet sweet youtube ad revenue.

[@AmuchinTarr]

Fine

[@butchmarriott9847]

I think the sand cast coins were better. Off topic question.... are you active duty?

[@ArtByAdrock]

Not any more. That was a long time ago 👍🏻

[@ductlessplushvac]

Like the shirt

[@hotheadsniper]

Which are 3D ones?doesn't they suppose to be sand castings ones?are they also called 3d casting?sorry for my question but I am a complete newbie.