casting pewter

[DNICK]

Hi I'm thinking about casting medalians out of pewter for our rondezvous, what material can be used for the mold and any hints on this project. thanks Duane

 

[fatboy]

Mild steel,brass and aluminum should work fine

 

[Rifleman1776]

Ambitious project. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Len Graves]

For casting a few items you can use wood, however eventually it will char. For something as fine as a medallion I might use plaster of Paris. It is relatively cheap and easy to work with. make you a pattern, coat it with release agent (grease or oil) and make several molds so you can pour several at once. I have had some luck with this process. Sometimes you can reuse the mold by just tapping out the casting , but sometimes the mold breaks. That is why I recommend making several before the pour. Good luck with your project. Show us some results if possible.

 

[fatboy]

Len thats a good idea never thought of that guess I was thinking of a more durability

 

[MSW]

A while ago i ran across a cool looig sand casting site
http://www.foundry101.com/

... i don't know if this is the sort of thing that would fill your needs, and the initial buy - in was too rich for my blood, but it looked like a boatload of fun and at appeared that you could make a really high quality product without too very much trouble.


dang, i wish i was one of the one percent ... i could buy all manner of neat stuff ...

:hmm:

 

[DNICK]

Interesting site but a little overkill for what I have in mind,looks like fun but the last thing I need is another hobby. thanks Duane

 

[Woods Dweller]

Hi I'm thinking about casting medalians out of pewter for our rondezvous, what material can be used for the mold and any hints on this project. thanks Duane

This is very interesting! I have always wanted to try this. I read this in one of the first “Mother Earth News” magazine many years back [early 70's]. This method was for making pewter forks & spoons.

You use “auto body filler”, Pour it into a pint milk carton [I think] that has been cut in half length wise. Push half of [laying flat] greased / oil fork or spoon into “auto body filler”. Push 2 marble half way into the “auto body filler” one on each side of fork or spoon. [The marble's will serve as guides later]

Let “auto body filler” dry.

Now! Grease /oil [spray oil] onto dry half with fork or spoon & marbles. Pour “auto body filler” over dry “auto body filler” that has fork or spoon & marbles and let dry.

Rip milk carton apart, separate the two halves of “auto body filler” mold. Remove fork or spoon, Put mold back together [Marbles will line mold up] Tie mold together and where the two molds come together drill a small hole to pour melted pewter in.

Like I said, I nave never tried this but it sounded good to me, and I always wanted to give it a try.

 

[Len Graves]

The auto body filler will work for plaster casts, however it will not take much heat. You might try it it might work once. I use the auto body filler to glue my patch box parts on to when engraving. this works well as a back up media to prevent denting Etc., and the parts will pop off the form with just a pass from a propane torch (just a little too hot to handle, but not enough to melt solder). The auto body filler will take a super fine impression. Let us know if it works.

 

[rustylaidlaw]

I cast things in pewter and brass regularly in a sand mold, if you need help figuring it out send me a message

 

[mazo kid]

You could use wood for the mold. I have poured nose caps and butt caps for pistols and never charred the wood....at least as far as I could see. Just pour the pewter as soon as it becomes molten, about 350 degrees or so.