Pewter Casting Information
Pewter is a metal alloy composed primarily of tin and copper that has a low melting point, making it an excellent choice for casting. Pewter casting involves placing melted pewter into a mould to create a shape.
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Moulds
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The moulds used for pewter casting can be made from a variety of materials including sand, steel and medium density fiberboard (MDF), reports informational design and technology website Technologystudent.com. The interior of the mould may be shaped using hand tools or a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.
Melting
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In small projects, a metal ladle containing a piece of pewter is held over fire bricks. Heat is applied to the ladle with a torch until the pewter reaches its melting point, around 230 degrees Celsius.
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Casting
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The actual casting occurs when the melted pewter is poured into the mould and allowed to cool. The mould containing the metal is typically held in a container filled with sand, for safety purposes.
Finish Work
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Depending on the quality of the mold, there can be excess metal around the edges of the final product, in addition to a spoke of metal from where the pewter was poured into the mold. This excess can be easily removed with hand tools.
Safety
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Any melted metal is dangerous and should only be handled with the proper safety gear. Appropriate gear includes a face shield, leather apron and gloves and leather leggings, reports Technologystudent.com.
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References
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