Hooda Thunkit
Member
I, along with many home-casters, use pewter as a source of tin (Sn) for casting. I always am on the lookout, at flea markets, garage sales, whatever.
Mrs (Ida) Thunkit went thrift store shopping yesterday. She has been with me as I hunted up pewter, and called me with her find - It was 75% off day too. She wanted to know, should she buy it for me?
Oh yes, please.
Fine woman, is Ida.
I set the sharpie in the pic to give some indication of size.
A small platter, a vase, a Jefferson cup and a creamer. It all weighs out at 2lb 8.5oz. Since pewter is usually at least 90% Sn, I end up with 2.25 lb of Sn.
All together cost was $4.88 including tax. $2.16/lb for tin.
Since Sn is usually mixed somewhere from 2% to 5% in normal casting, I have enough tin here to alloy 100 pounds of lead. Even at 20-1 (the alloy recommended by Mr Kieth, and used by many BPC (Black Powder Cartridge) shooters) there's enough for over 40 pounds. I use the pewter as a 1-1 replacement for Sn.
For the folks that have never looked for pewter, I've shot some images of the hallmarks and other marks on the bottom of these pieces. If it doesn't say "pewter", it usually ain't. And if it says "Mexican Pewter" it's aluminum.
Mrs (Ida) Thunkit went thrift store shopping yesterday. She has been with me as I hunted up pewter, and called me with her find - It was 75% off day too. She wanted to know, should she buy it for me?
Oh yes, please.
Fine woman, is Ida.
I set the sharpie in the pic to give some indication of size.
A small platter, a vase, a Jefferson cup and a creamer. It all weighs out at 2lb 8.5oz. Since pewter is usually at least 90% Sn, I end up with 2.25 lb of Sn.
All together cost was $4.88 including tax. $2.16/lb for tin.
Since Sn is usually mixed somewhere from 2% to 5% in normal casting, I have enough tin here to alloy 100 pounds of lead. Even at 20-1 (the alloy recommended by Mr Kieth, and used by many BPC (Black Powder Cartridge) shooters) there's enough for over 40 pounds. I use the pewter as a 1-1 replacement for Sn.
For the folks that have never looked for pewter, I've shot some images of the hallmarks and other marks on the bottom of these pieces. If it doesn't say "pewter", it usually ain't. And if it says "Mexican Pewter" it's aluminum.