where to buy pewter??

jacqueeagonsr

jacqueeagonsr

Joined
Apr 24, 2008
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I tried doing a search on pewter - too general - too many hits and none about where to get it. So, any recommendations?? I'd like to try pouring some bolsters and pommels - maybe even a guard. The best place I seem to have found so far is Rotometals, and, like all metals the shipping is prohibitive if you just wanna try a small bit. Seems like a good price for someone wanting to spend more than $100 (free shipping).

Any other suggestions??

Regards,
Jacque Eagon
 
Go to your local hardware store and buy a pound of lead free plumber's solder - the silver bearing type is a harder - it is basically the same as pewter - both are mostly tin.......I cast lots of pewter and this works great - for rough shaping use files for doing body work on autos since they don't clog as easily.

For those who might say you can't do a guard in cast pewter - this one was built in the mid-1800's
gillespie-knife-1.jpg


Once you decide you like pewter buy the hardest alloy from Rotometals - it melts around 466°F and is even harder than the silver bearing solder...yep it will cost $99.00 to get the free shipping, but that's around 9 lbs at the current price and will do a lot of casting.......
 
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many thanks to all who responded.
Stacy - special thanks for the 'proper' words for the search - most helpful, especially with the 'how to' (that was the next question)

Chuck from WRTC - nice to finally chat with you after seeing all your posts in other threads. I do admire your work. You and Dan Winkler/Karen Shook are unknowingly my mentors. However, Rotometals has 4 flavors of pewter and all melt at 466 degrees. Could you identify the specific product that you are refering to?

http://www.rotometals.com/Pewter-Alloys-s/23.htm

Again, many thanks,
Jacque
 
Howdy Jacque - it's the RotoNickel which is their version of Babbitt which is used to make bearings.

I'm honored to be your mentor unknowingly or not :D
If you need any particular advice on doing pours including "blind" pours (such as bands or inlays) ask away - I don't get here everyday though so if need be drop me a PM or email.....good luck!
 
Chuck -
I have your tutorial on pouring the bolster for the camp and skive knives. And I've got some directions somewhere (need to find them) for a pommel.
I went to the local hardware store yesterday and picked up a half pound of lead free plumbers solder. At $14, it was, price per pound, more expensive than Rotometal's products. But, on a cash flow basis, a lot cheaper than paying $100 for an experiment. Between your tutorials and the info Stacy lead me to, I think I have enough to get started. If I get in trouble, I will take you up on your offer for advice.

I have a son living in Golden who we try to visit (via 5th wheel camping) once a year in the fall before the snow falls. This fall we plan to add Pagosa Springs to our trip. If we make it, I'd like to add a side trip to Durango just to meet you and see your shop. This will probably be in Sept/Oct.

Thanks for the recommendations, tutorials and the offer for advice,
Jacque
 
This is turning into an interesting experiment. I though I'd document what's happening for others who may find this thread in the future. Chuck Burrows of WRTC has recommended Rotometals Roto-nickle product. Rotometals sales support has recommended their A/C or R-92 products. The spool of Oatey lead free solder that I have obtained and will do my first experiment with appears to be the same chemically as Rotometals R-98 product. If I go forward past the use of the solder, I will go with Chuck's suggestion. I have also found where several folks have made their own ladles and used propane torches for the meltling. I have found a small electric stove and ladle at miniaturemolds.com that, with shipping costs $38 total. Since I'm reasonalbly sure I will continue with this experiment, I have purchased that product. My first experiment will probably be a letter opener. And I will post pictures of the experiment - who knows - this may turn into a bit of a picture tutorial.

Regards,
 
I have found a small electric stove and ladle
Click to expand...
For those looking for a casting setup FWIW - I use bullet casting equipment - a cheap electric lead pot and a bottom pour ladle.
To test your heat use the round hardwood toothpicks if it ignites it's too hot!
About 50° F above the melting temp is about right for pouring. Also rubbing the whole area to be poured onto with a soft lead (graphite) pencil helps the flow as does warming any metal the pewter will touch.
Call sometime if you need any help - easier to gab then type......

I have a son living in Golden who we try to visit (via 5th wheel camping) once a year in the fall before the snow falls. This fall we plan to add Pagosa Springs to our trip. If we make it, I'd like to add a side trip to Durango just to meet you and see your shop. This will probably be in Sept/Oct.
Click to expand...
Don't have much of a shop to see - my work area's are pretty primitive/low tech (folks that have come by in the past either think I'm kidding and have a real shop hidden away somewhere's or crack up laughing) - but I get the work done as need be! :D - that time of year best call ahead since I'm often up in hunting camp - especially this year if I get my new Hawken rifle gun in time!.........
 
Back to the original question ( even though you have already gotten what you need,) For a small amount of pewter I have gotten several of those glass bottomed pewter mugs at a Salvation Army or Goodwill store for a buck or two each and melted them down. Not a great way if you need very much, but for under $10.00 you can get enough to play with.
 
What about door handles form old fridges and cars they are quite heavy and melt easly what would that be? I know its not lead
 
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to this thread - had a hard drive crash on my desktop PC and it took a week away from my 'fun' time to get it replaced and to restore all the software and data files.

But, I did get the forge up again today and hammered out a real simple letter opener. I'll kludge up some kind of handle for it and try to pour a bolster and pommel next week - with pictures.

I may be getting the horse before the cart - but, what type of acidic material or liquid is used to oxidize the pewter to antique it?? Based on the good advice I've received so far, I expect my letter opener to be a successful learning experience and am already planning a knife with a pewter bolster.
 
finally finished the test project - here's the result.

first, prepared the handle material to accept the pewter
 

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then, created the form using a strip of brown paper grocery sack and masking tape
 

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melted to pewter until it was hot enough to cause a wooden match stick (used) to smoke - spooned off the dross (the junk on top) and poured pewter into form.
 

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repeated the process for the pommel - here's the end result.

Hope these pictures help someone else. I know I appreciate all the help I got in learning how to do this.
 

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