Tomahawk pewter bands?

[omarick1948]

I'm working on a fancy tomahawk and want to pour some pewter bands and inlays in the handle. I can do the inlays alright, but doing inlay poured bands always deals me a fit and I wonder how some of you do it?

Thanks in advance,
Rick

 

[BrownBear]

I've only done it a couple of times, but it worked. I cut a file folder to make my dams. They basically form a "band" around the handle, wider than the fill and held tightly with rubber bands. Where I want the pour I leave an opening and fold up the ends of the paper to form two sides of a pour spout of sorts. I just slip a couple more strips of paper under the rubber bands on either side of the opening and fold up the ends to form the ends of the pour spout.

Here's the best part: Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to preheat the handle and paper right up until the last second before the pour. That helps prevent cooling of the pewter while the pour is filling.

I ended up with a "sprew" right there at the pour spout, but that was easy to file off.

 

[eggwelder]

i do the same, but use masking tape instead of rubber bands, and make a card funnel. i seal everything with tape as i`v had too many pewter plated boots from leaks. preheat like brown bear says, and pour immediately. you may get some sticky residue from the tape, just remove that with alcohol or acetone before you start filing or sanding. it will just gum everything up if you leave it.
next time i do this i`ll take photos of the process, and post them. here is a few after the pour, before finishing.

 

[BrownBear]

The masking tape is a good tip. Thanks!