Pewter Help

B . Buxton

B . Buxton

Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
3,623
Hey everyone, I would like to try a couple ideas for casting a guard and pommel for a knife or 2 using pewter. I know absolutely nothing about the stuff, is there different types of pewter? If so what is the best type for this kind of application? Where's a good and reasonably priced place to purchase it? Any extra info and knowledge would be highly appreciated.

Thank You,

Bill
 
Ragweed

pewter sculpture

Here's some links. The last one I did came out well. Least the guy that bought it liked it :)

Fence post knife

I used some old pewter keychains and little babbit from an old water pump. I used the babbit to make the pewter a little harder.

Used paper as a mold. I've used modelling clay as a mold also.

an old SS pepper shaker with a wire twist handle was my ladle.
 
Here's a: A Basic Pewter Bolster How-to

One source for Pewter and other casting grains: www.riogrande.com

PS Use one of the cheap (less than $25.00) lead casting pots for melting the pewter and the best ladle I've found is one of the bullet casting ladles with the little teat to pour with - good control and no slag.
 
Bill, shoot me an email with your addy I will send you some pewter to play with... I get it at flea markets and such and melt it into ingots to use for casting, I have PLENTY!!!

As far as the mold you can just carve out some undercut in your handle for the pewtrer to grab onto, wrap the area in paper and tape and pour it in the top... nice and easy... you can even carve a decorative section like a key shape or dovetail in to the top of the handle to blend it in even more...

I am sure you will figure it out no problem. The only problem i have found when using it was grinding it to finish, it likes to melt at a really low temp so best off to use a file to take any major amounts off, then to fine paper and a light buff... I seem to like it even beter if you get some silver oxidizer and antique it...


Alan Folts

alanfolts@hotmail.com
 
There are standard pewter alloys but of two types . Some are for wrought products and some for casting .Obviously if you want to cast it use the casting alloys.
 
HEY CHUCK. Glad you dropped that tutorial in here. I had it saved on my old hard drive, that went to heaven. :D :D :D
 
You're welcome Mike-

BTW for all concerned be aware that a lot of old Pewter may contain lead and new Pewter contains antimony so use all safety precautions (good ventilation is a must) when handling/melting it.
 
Thanks everyone for all the info, and thanks Alan for the offer, I've sent you another e-mails. Thank you

Bill
 
Bill, I have used a lot of pewter here are some suggestions. The bullet ladle that you need is made by RCBS there are others but thy are not as good.
I get my pewter from a caster that cast those figurines that are all over.
When you make your paper mold use a brown paper sack or a file folder a wore out J weight belt also works good. When you heat it, I heat it in the ladle with a propane torch heat it till it starts to frost, you need it hot enough to stay liquid till the mold is full, start pouring and don't stop till it is full. If you need to clean the melt up use a sliver of bees wax.The tape I have used has been the Scotch type however there is a new duct tape that is the cats pajamas for this. The tape is green and works great just be sure that the melted pewter wont get to it or you will lose it. If you screw up you may be able to fix it be making a welding rod out of pewter just pour it into a angle iron then cold forge it fine enough to use then use a SMALL torch with a fine flame to weld up the defect, ask me how I know this. Any problems send me a email. Gib
 
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