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How to Flatten a Nickel

If you are interested in flattening a coin, such as a nickel, or perhaps another thin piece of metal, follow these steps to meet with success. Heating metal to the point where it becomes red hot renders it far more malleable than when at room temperature. With this temperature met, you can very easily shape and mold it how you like. By striking the coin against a hard surface, you can flatten it out to almost paper thin.

Things You'll Need

Propane torch
Anvil
Hammer (sledge)
Tweezers

Instructions

- 1
  Place the coin on the flat surface of your anvil.
- 2
  Light your propane torch and direct the blue flame onto the coin until it becomes red with heat.
- 3
  Pound the coin with the flat striking surface of a sledge hammer squarely and evenly. The heated metal coin expands outward in all directions, becoming more and more flat with each strike.
- 4
  Cool the hot metal coin by submersing it in water when the desired flatness has been attained, this will also harden the metal.

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