My DIY Seed Storage on a soda can Inspired by Pmalek's Guide

[Alphakilo]

In the world of cryptocurrency, security is paramount, and bitcoiners are constantly exploring innovative ways to safeguard their assets. One such method gaining attention is the DIY seed storage technique using a soda can. Inspired by Pmalek guide DIY Seed Storage thread involving a soda can, I embarked on this cost-effective journey to add an extra layer of protection to their bitcoin assets. Note that I've already secured my seed phrase following fillippone guide that I discovered on the forum some time ago. Using the soda can method adds an extra layer of backup security. One can never be too cautious.

Thanks to Bitcan, carrying out this DIY storage method was incredibly easy and cost-effective. In fact, the entire setup cost me less than a dollar, especially since I already had some of the materials on hand.
 
The materials

• A soda can (2 Cents)
• A flat-head screwdriver (I already have this)
• A pen (I already have this)
• A piece of paper
• Hammer (I used a short rod in place of a hammer. It did the job well)
• A printer to print out the template.(I do not have home printer so I paid to print out. Cost 1 cent. )

*See the pictures below



The Process

• Already have my generated mnemonic seed phrase from my software wallet.
• I flatten an aluminum can into a sheet and then attached the printed template to it
• I translated my seed phrase into glyphs and checked that it corresponded with the list provided by Bitcan.
• With my flat-head screwdriver, I etched the glyphs into the can. I used a light rod in place of a hammer.
• After I confirmed that everything is correct, I found a secure and discreet location to store the etched metal just as I did when I secured the seed phrase with washers.
• I also printed the tables on the bitcan website and backed it up as was instructed

Below are a pictures of the process. I blurred some parts out for privacy.

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This method, while economical and DIY-friendly, does come with its limitations, as outlined by Pmalek:

Cons  
1. It won't protect you against heat from a house fire.
2. Aluminum is more prone to corrosion than other more durable metals.
3. The encoding and especially the decoding process is time-consuming.
4. The possibility of making a mistake is greater than when backing up common seed words.    

Despite these drawbacks, this DIY soda can seed storage serves as one of  my several backup strategies to safeguard my assets.

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[dkbit98]

I would never use aluminum cans for this, but if you insist of using that material I would choose more simple method of using simple aluminum foil tape instead.
Using aluminum cans can result in heavy cuts and injuries, especially with sharp edges, so I would add that warning to everyone before trying this DIY project.
As better alternative material try steel cans, it is easy to find them in food stores and properties are much better than aluminum.

[Pmalek]

You are the first person that has posted about using this. I didn't think anyone would. I personally find it too complicated, and aluminum isn't the right metal for long-term storage.
Did you print out the entire glyphs table (all the words) or just the ones needed for your seed backup?
You mentioned that your seed originates from a software wallet - a hot wallet, I am assuming. It would be a security improvement if the seed was generated on a good hardware wallet or an airgapped device.

[Crypt0Gore]

This is not entirely bad but I wouldn't do it, if you want to try this just know that you are going to get yourself cut few times, unless you gear yourself up with strong hand gloves or other protection.

I respect this idea, but its not for everyone, I will stick with using stainless steel and carving the recovery seeds on the steel, then keep the stainless steel in a case and keep the case in a locker or safe location.

Either its carved on a iron or steel, or even wood, which I don't recommend though, its all offline way of strong your keys, just make sure you don't fuck this up yourself and you should be fine for the long term.

[Yamane_Keto]

Great job. I didn't think it was that simple, especially since the edges of soda can appear to be very serrated and it may have caused some injuries.
The encoding process is difficult, but decoding seems much easier.

Below are a pictures of the process. I blurred some parts out for privacy.

You did not do it correctly and it is better not to use that wallet seed because about 10 words appear clearly.
The last 8 words appear clearly, there are two words at the top that are easy to guess, and the last two words can be easily guessed by brute force, especially since their order is specified.

[Porfirii]

-snip-
The encoding process is difficult, but decoding seems much easier.
-snip-

Between the cons Pmalek warned us about, one of them is the time for decoding more than for encoding. When you say that the encoding process is more difficult, is it because technical difficulty in comparison to decoding? In brief: what is the difference between encoding and decoding in terms of difficulty and time needed?

[Pmalek]

In brief: what is the difference between encoding and decoding in terms of difficulty and time needed?

It's different. When you create the glyphs backup, you need to etch each symbol into the metal. That's the actual work. The time you need to get it done depends on how skilled you are when working with your hands.

The decoding process requires a different type of work. You have to compare the lines for each glyph to the table to find the correct words. Each glyph has two squares. You first have to identify the first letter of each word by looking at the bottom square and then the rest. I think this requires more time than the actual etching of the symbols into the metal. 

[Findingnemo]

I feel DIY secret seed storage is kind of complicated probably it's due to the lack of skill in DIY mechanical works but how many of you guys actually prefer this way or any other way than simple write down seed on a paper and secure in a safe box?

Good job explaining it simple, good to try by everyone but make sure you got enough practice in encoding and decoding the words before using it as primary way.

[Alphakilo]

I would never use aluminum cans for this, but if you insist of using that material I would choose more simple method of using simple aluminum foil tape instead.
Using aluminum cans can result in heavy cuts and injuries, especially with sharp edges, so I would add that warning to everyone before trying this DIY project.
As better alternative material try steel cans, it is easy to find them in food stores and properties are much better than aluminum.

While I understand your concerns, and thought about it, I was looking more at its resistance to corrosion. Steel cans are more susceptible to rust compared to aluminum cans. Aluminum cans are generally more resistant to rust than steel cans.

Did you print out the entire glyphs table (all the words) or just the ones needed for your seed backup?

I saved the entired glyphs as PDF and printed out the ones needed for my seed back up.

You mentioned that your seed originates from a software wallet - a hot wallet, I am assuming. It would be a security improvement if the seed was generated on a good hardware wallet or an airgapped device.

Currently, I am saving towards getting a Trezor One hardware wallet. I will move my bitcoins as soon as I am able to buy it. And I agree it is has  enhanced security compared to a software wallet.

This is not entirely bad but I wouldn't do it, if you want to try this just know that you are going to get yourself cut few times, unless you gear yourself up with strong hand gloves or other protection.

I can assure you, I sustained no cuts.

I respect this idea, but its not for everyone, I will stick with using stainless steel and carving the recovery seeds on the steel, then keep the stainless steel in a case and keep the case in a locker or safe location.

I've already secured my seed phrase following fillippone guide. 

[OcTradism]

You can be innovative with your methods to make your wallet backups but the bottom line, after all, are

- Have your backups accessible and usable.
- Usable means you can use your backup to recover your wallet later when your initial wallet file, storage is damaged and no longer usable.

If at the end, you can not recover your wallet with innovative backup, it's bad.

I am not against you to say this method innovated by you, is bad, but my warning for you is, make sure you have one or two other backups in different methods, for your wallet.

[dkbit98]

While I understand your concerns, and thought about it, I was looking more at its resistance to corrosion. Steel cans are more susceptible to rust compared to aluminum cans. Aluminum cans are generally more resistant to rust than steel cans.

Tin cans cans are resistant to corrosion because they put coating on steel to protect it from corrosion, otherwise they wouldn't put food in them since 1800.
Do some research about both materials, aluminium doesn’t rust, but it does corrode and create oxide coat.

Watch this short video to learn about corrosion of aluminum alloys.

[m2017]

I would never use aluminum cans for this, but if you insist of using that material I would choose more simple method of using simple aluminum foil tape instead.
Using aluminum cans can result in heavy cuts and injuries, especially with sharp edges, so I would add that warning to everyone before trying this DIY project.
As better alternative material try steel cans, it is easy to find them in food stores and properties are much better than aluminum.

An aluminum can will still be better (stronger, harder to burn, less susceptible to water damage and destruction) in terms of safety than a piece of paper or cardboard. So this method isn't that bad.

Aluminum foil is more fragile (tearable).

For any handmade work, use protective equipment, and sharp edges can be easily polished with sandpaper. Every problem has a solution.

While I understand your concerns, and thought about it, I was looking more at its resistance to corrosion. Steel cans are more susceptible to rust compared to aluminum cans. Aluminum cans are generally more resistant to rust than steel cans.

Tin cans cans are resistant to corrosion because they put coating on steel to protect it from corrosion, otherwise they wouldn't put food in them since 1800.
Do some research about both materials, aluminium doesn’t rust, but it does corrode and create oxide coat.

Watch this short video to learn about corrosion of aluminum alloys.

Rust is an oxide film (formed due to interaction with oxygen, which is part of the surrounding air), but in iron. The oxide film on aluminum is essentially a protective film. So, that's not too bad. Although I believe that aluminum cans into which liquid is poured for consumption should have a factory treatment (protective film) on the inside. If it is resistant to the contents of the drink, then this is probably a kind of protection against destruction from external influences.

[bayu7adi]

Since this is at least safer than storing it in paper form, maybe I can try it another time. Yes, I like things made by myself with cheap materials, because the practice can save me from boredom.

BTW...where did you get the diagonal, vertical and horizontal line patterns that can represent that it is a menemonic that can be used to open a wallet?? And is it difficult to decrypt these patterns so they can be translated into mnemonics in the form of words again??

What I'm afraid of is that I'm going senile or my heir is a little confused.... yes, maybe I don't remember what the code actually is... and why I keep it in the safe...

[SFR10]

The encoding process is difficult,

The encoding part is easier than it looks ^{[you can significantly improve the situation with the help of a cheap rotary tool and a couple of clamps]}.

how many of you guys actually prefer this way or any other way than simple write down seed on a paper and secure in a safe box?

I think it's safe to say that none of us would "only" use this method for our backup ^{[it should be combined with other backup methods]}.

Currently, I am saving towards getting a Trezor One hardware wallet.

Save $20 more to get the Trezor Safe 3 instead ^{[Model One will be discontinued soon (a year has passed without releasing a firmware update)]}.

[nakamura12]

This is a good idea on to store a backup of your seed phrase but we have to learn how it works so that we will be able to decode the seed phrase. I may use this method but I wouldn't just use single method to create a backup of my seed phrase. When encoding it won't be easy though because you have to work with a metal materials which isn't soft as paper but I think we can use something else to form the glyphs like aluminum foil cut into lines and paste it on to the metal can. I think that would also work in my opinion.

[PrivacyG]

Except being a little bit cheaper and the materials being easier to obtain, although I would argue besides the metal letters to hammer the rest of the materials are just as easy to obtain if you life in a house and not in an apartment, why would some body choose this method over the washers?

OP.  Would you do this again or do you prefer other storage methods?