I Made A Golden Pickaxe Using Minerals From My Mine!

In this video, I set out to create a golden pickaxe using the minerals found in the abandoned mines of Cerro Gordo. This meant finding and refining copper, zinc, and trying to figure out how to get all of that into a pickaxe.

This was one of my favorite experiments I've done to date. I hope you enjoy!

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Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545

THANK YOU!

[terryfromsouthcarolina]

Awesome! Many, many years ago, I worked in a plating shop.
We anodized aluminum and plated just about everything, including those sets of baby shoes.
There were huge vats of acids of all kinds boiling water and caustic soda. It was a dangerous place. OSHA wasn't even a nightmare dream yet. No safety glasses, respirators, or protective clothing like an apron. I would get about a week out of jeans before they fell apart in the washing machine. After ruining 2 washers, one of which was brand new, I found an old wringer washer to do my clothes in.
The pay was huge! In one week there, I made as much in one week as I did in 6 months.
When I started working there, I had bad acne. By the time I left, the acid fumes had taken enough layers of skin off my face that I had no zits or blemishes. It was cool that I had the skin of a 10 year old!
Then the old guy that lived down the street had a chat with me. What was going on with my skin was doing the same in my lungs.
It scared the ever-loving shit out of me. I worked there long enough to pay off my Jeep along with my house.
I owed nothing to anyone.
Then I quit.
I went back to machine work.
As I was making parts, I thought about how clean it was.
Be safe, Brent!
Cheers
Terry

[Palehorse]

That pickaxe appears to be hand forged from wrought iron (the "lines" in the metal are typical of wrought) with high carbon steel forge welded to it. You did a great job on it Brent! Thanks for letting us be a part of your journey!

[leeks]

Hey we've been watching since the beginning and we just wanted to say thanks for all the work you do in preserving this amazing piece of history! <3

[sci-fiblog]

Brent!!! Could you do an astronomy special one day? About the wonderful starlit sky above cerro gordo? That would be so so so nice🙌🤗✨

[RecoveringCarboholic]

I love how you are always striving to use all the natural resources you have available. I hope when the hotel opens I make out to see this amazing place. ⛏️

[blacksheepdino]

The quality and entertainment value of your videos are second to none, no matter the subject. You keep knocking it out of the park every time Brent! Waiting for the next one.

[brianbeilmann]

You’re becoming a miner. Doing work as assay and maker of goods.
What a journey.
Good stuff.

[lynnb-TruckWEFCarney]

Wow, that pick axe turned out awesome! What a treasure to share with the world. You are truly blessed.

[SueHoppe-vkgl]

Love it when you go all science geek on us!!! That pick is a masterpiece, made with passion and integrity and intent!

[rboston]

Creative idea + hard work + time consuming photography = EDITING = AMAZING VIDEO

[billlbr]

I have been viewing this channel since its inception, my old timer mining partner knew the previous owners of Cerro Gordo and was well versed with the geology of the area. There is a project in Northern Nevada which also hosts in ground resources, some being onsite water and material for the building process of your pick axes. The pickaxe is stunning ! Located on the property is an old miner's camp from back in the day, which has yielded old forks, spoons, rusted food cans and other memorabilia which I would like to grid the area and work towards recovering the items. There is a considerable amount of history associated with the project, if at all possible I would like to collaborate with you, bringing it's history to light.

[rhondasweeney]

That pick ax is awesome! You took a plan, worked on it for months, took action of what you wanted to do, and then acted on it. Epic ending!!! Thanks for sharing your dream that came true 👍 😊

[agoodmeme]

Not only is he experiencing what it’s like to own his very own mineshaft… he’s living real life Minecraft… I am so glad I found this YouTuber.

[ApolloAstra]

This is real-life Minecraft! But honestly, the work you’re putting into Cerro Gordo is incredible, and seeing history come back to life is inspiring. Can’t wait to see the old hotel restored and up and running! Keep up the amazing work!

[TJStock]

She's a beauty, handmade with all your hard work & repurposed material from your backyard/ mine. Brilliant! I'm in awe of your thirst for knowledge & legendary motivation to try new things, Brent. Well done.

[Meister_Mogul]

It really is history in the making, bringing these parts of the mine, town, and its tools back to life.

[Ellis]

Brent the whole process you did to make that pick ax is awesome and you should feel proud of yourself because that thing is really cool and it will be a great conversation piece forever and I think it deserves the spot at the front desk of the new hotel

[susanalbone]

That was awesome. Time well spent showing the history of Cerro Gordo from raw materials, made by hand and displayed in the museum that hopefully will be around for many, many years to come for all to see. Well done. Take care, keep safe. ❤ Dorset, UK

[slowdown]

Awesome bit of work there Brent. Can't beat that feeling of making something with your own hands and efforts. Inspirational journey you are on.

[ReneeSmith-semf]

I read your book. I love it! I hope you write more as time goes by!!!!