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Post by Malcore on Oct 4, 2006 20:30:14 GMT -9
I have been thinking of trying and making a geocoin my self and would like other peoples ideas on this. I have been making jewelry as a hobby for years and have all the equiptment for lost wax casting. I have cast copy's of coins like spanish dubloons and they turned out ok but never any coin with very fine detail. Unfortunatly I don't have the artisitic skill to carve the coin design in wax which has stopped me from going any further, but it would be a fun thing to try.
Here is what got me thinking about this. Theres a cache out in North Birchwood (TNAK GCX475) that is close to a shooting range and it apperes that when the range isn't open people go to the field by the cache and shoot. The place is really littered with trash and thousands of rounds of ammo all over the place. Many of the cache logs talk about how this place needs a CITO. That got me to thinking maybe I could go out there and clean up some of the brass ammo and see if I could use it and come up with a coin that would be appropraite for the area. then place it in that cache to get it started on its way.
Anyway thats what I was thinking about. What do all you think about it. Or do you have any other ideas on home made geocoins.
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Post by ladybugkids on Oct 4, 2006 22:04:52 GMT -9
I think a homemade geocoin would be a great idea, especially by an Alaskan!
I have traded for homemade coins by cachers outside of Alaska. One coin is pewter (I think) by Big Rock and the other set is bronze and sterling silver by Quoddy. Let me know if you'd like contact information for either of those folks.
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Post by Malcore on Oct 14, 2006 21:40:10 GMT -9
This is probibly going to be a winter project for me. It looks like im going to need a few things to get this done. I need to figure out a program for the computer that I can use to make images for overlays on wax for the carving of the patterns. Plus the fine tools to carve the wax. Alot of work but hopfuly I will get it done.
Because using the lost wax prosess takes no more to cast five or six items then it does to make one, im thinking of asking other people if they would like to make a coin at the same time. It would mean that they would have to make up there own wax pattern but i would cast it for them.
What does everyone think?
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Post by ladybugkids on Oct 17, 2006 2:47:43 GMT -9
Sounds like a great project. I'd love to participate in the process if time permits. For those interested in what Malcore is thinking about, geocacher Tiki on Oahu also makes cast personal geocoins. Visit the Geotiki Website to see his work. Tiki outlines the lost wax process in a series of photos here.
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Post by Malcore on Oct 17, 2006 17:38:06 GMT -9
I like his idea of making the geocoin go with the area he lives in. It also shows what can be made in wax. Although I don't have a wax injector to make multiple copys. It takes less steps when making only one of the wax pattern. Also the wax pattern can be carved or formed in different types of wax. some as soft as putty and some as hard as plastic. The harder wax makes it possable to carve in real fine detail. That web site doesn't go into the final casting of the patterns but gives good info on the main part. Thanks for the link ladybugkids
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Post by ladybugkids on Jan 16, 2007 5:43:54 GMT -9
Blazerfan posted a thread that discusses making individual coins out of art clay silver as an alternative way of making coins.
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Post by Malcore on Jan 16, 2007 16:13:52 GMT -9
I have worked with the Art Clay or PMC and it is a fun way to make things on the free form level. You work it just like you would regular clay and it can be shaped in any way. The resalts do come out looking nice. Although trying to make precision designs is a little tough. And the main drawback is it's very pricey.
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Post by ladybugkids on Jan 16, 2007 20:48:13 GMT -9
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