Pewter

[xylaria]

The set isn't worth much at all, it is also damaged and dented. No-one wants to use leaded metal for food. This pot and sugar bowl are really simerlar

 

[smoggy]

Yes, cuttle fish can be used for casting, as you state it's easy to carve.

Smoggy.

 

[Toddy]

The set isn't worth much at all, it is also damaged and dented. No-one wants to use leaded metal for food. .....QUOTE]

Ah, yes, I do see what you mean

I have a beautiful cloak brooch made in the shape of an oak leaf. It's about 7cms long and it has been cast in pewter. It's really a lovely piece, and I'm sure other leaves could be used the same way. The fastening on the back is just a standard buy in a craft shop type. Could be fun to make, useful too.
I also have a cast pewter hinged bangle that has a knotwork design along it's length. Trickier but still do-able I'd have thought.

atb,
M

 

[ForgeCorvus]

Some types of bagpipes are traditionally decorated with inlaid pewter-work, its done just as Loz is planning.......have you got a moleskin yet?, I'm told thats what you need for wiped joints (which is like your technique )

Evil-bay quite often has lead-free plumbers solder for sale (that where I get my tin for casting), try to buy the largest quantity you can as the P&P can be horrible and don't get the flux-cored stuff..........and don't buy anything I'm bidding on

 

[jimford]

If you're casting pewter or other lead/tin alloys, use tallow to flux it. When melting the metal it oxidises and forms dross on the surface. A knob of tallow stirred into it will reduce the dross back to metal.

Jim

 

[Singeblister]

Good luck with it sounds like a nice project , most things have been coverd by everyone else apart from the slight shrinkage you get whenthe metal cools but if your casting into a dove tail it should be fine with a few drops of the old super glue so hold it dont forget to post some pics of the finished item Lolz

 

[ZDP-189]

I recommend cerrotru, a non toxic low MP bismuth alloy.

 

[xylaria]

The episode of coast that was shown this week, on the beeb showed a guy on a south welsh beach using leather bag like bellows and coal to smelt copper. If you added 12% pewter to copper do you get bronze? Modern pewter is mostly tin isn't it?