Questions on sourcing junk pewter

[Hank Mcmauser]

Stopped by a 2nd hand junk store today and saw this mug, and a serving set (2nd pic) would either of these be a good candidate for smelting down to pour a nosecap? The mug was marked $12, and the serving set had 4 pieces for $15. Seems as it it is it would be better than paying shipping on an ingot of alloy from a vendor

 

[hawkeye2]

Track of the wolf gets $13/lb. + tax & shipping for pewter ingots. If either of the items you were looking at weighed a pound or more you could save a little and if you bought both you could probably haggle the price down some. Recycling pewterware is a good way to save just don't melt anything that has historic value or is collectable. Single items, incomplete sets and things like that mug don't fall into that category.

 

[J2shortt]

Bro!?!?!?!? Don't melt down the TRIPLE CROWN HALL OF FRIGGIN FAME GOBLET! Someone's Great uncle has been searching for that cup and will pay every bit of $6 and 20 minute conversation on how "these damn kids don't know how good they got it!"...

Don't let a good deal GO TO WASTE!



/s

 

[ZUG]

I'm a sucker for pewter mugs that have embossing and/or emblems on them. I can't bring myself to melting them down for nose caps and such. I have babbitt bearing material and linotype for such things.
I have no issues with putting a torch to any pewter plates or any other pewter items that are plane jane items of no value.

 

[deerstalkert]

shipping is here the vendors ream you on pewter.
I a dyed in the wool "wow that is neat, and just think of the work....... yada yada " collector. wife calls me a junkie but what does she know!
all that said if i needed pewter, I would grab that stuff and fire up a pot.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I've always used tin for nose caps. I've read that it's use was common in the old days. I like the way it looks better than pewter but that's just my opinion. It keeps it's shine and doesn't tarnish. I get my tin for little or nothing at garage and estate sales in the form of 95/5 solder.