Pewter vs. Iron

[Eggman]

Are there any advantages of making something out of pewter over iron other than the rust thing. Of course talking about non ballistic things.

[Ron The Old Reb]

Pewter has a low melting point at around 400 degrees making it easier to melt and cast things out of it. It was called the poor mans silver hence why they made dinnerware and eating utensils out of it. Besides who would want to eat prime rib off a old rusty plate.

[Eggman]

Thanks! Now say you have identical plates, one made of tin and one of pewter. Which costs more? By how much? What's the weight comparison?

[John Holland]

You have mentioned "Plates", perhaps such as Belt Plates?. If that is the case, pure Tin would be far more expensive than Pewter.

[Hal]

Define pewter. Most, if not all, things stamped 'pewter' today are almost pure tin. I buy up odd creamers and trays and beer steins and candle sticks and such at flea markets that are marked 'pewter' and melt them down to use to add a bit to lead for better fill out of bullets.

[Eggman]

Got to say that's the problem -- "define pewter." Trying to get a firm grip on "why pewter." I know the copper and antimony retard oxidation so the finish lasts. Various mixes of the alloy also affect hardness - so I would guess you can pewter it (notice the verb) to the point of brittleness. Also how does the mix affect cost-- tin items expensive vs. pewter (still like 90% tin) cheaper --how do the copper and antimony make it cheaper. Also some pewter has lead - definitely a cost reducer. Wonder - is the low melting point where you make big savings? How about casting - will pewter cast into an intricate shape more easily? So please ramble on if you will.

[Hal]

I never tried to cast any 'pewter', other than a small dipper full into a stainless steel condiment cup to make 'coins' of what I then refer to as 'tin' to add to my lead pot when casting bullets. Find you a pewter beer stein or similar at a flea market and melt it down and pour it into a bullet mold and see what you get. I suspect you would get a fairly well filled out bullet that would be lighter, harder, and probably more brittle than a lead one. Assuming the mould were up to temperature. Otherwise, I would predict a not so well filled out bullet that was even lighter, still harder and more brittle than a lead one.

[Eggman]

The Worshipful Company of Pewterers say the big thing they're after is hardness and durability. I'm joining this outfit, so I'd appreciate it if from now on everyone would address me as "Worshipful."

[Ron The Old Reb]

I'd appreciate it if from now on everyone would address me as "Worshipful."
O BOY! what's next?

[RaiderANV]

Thinking Sir Worshippy more appropriate??

[Hal]

Full of something, but worship wasn't it.

[Kurt Lacko 7862]

Most Worshipful, there is a ton of Pewter alloy etc. info at http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ I'm sure you have been there. I enjoy reading the stories there of how those guys (Pewter Hoarders) locate cheap pewter trinkets for the lowest prices. It appears to very addictive! Whats nice is they list all the major pewter company stamps so you can identify whats the good stuff vs the junk. Reminds me to hit the thrift shops again.

Kurt

[Eggman]

So to turn the pewter a bronze color you would add........... copper seems the logical answer but how would you do it cheaper?

[Hal]

Krylon?.....

[Southron Sr.]

Old Fashioned Pewder is different from "modern" pewder. Ole fashioned pewder had a high lead content, so eating off of old fashioned pewder plates, etc., could result in ingesting lead into one's body.

"Modern Pewder" is also called "Brittania Metal," that contains no lead and is safe to use as eating utensils.

[Southron Sr.]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_metal

[Eggman]

It's a pretty old piece. It has no plating or chemical applicant on it. It has some light oxidation also bronze colored. The wear places are nice shiny copper color. I'm pretty convinced it's got a load of copper. No lead -- no grey oxidation. The discussions on castboolets reinforce this opinion.

[Kurt Lacko 7862]

Egg, thats a great websight (Cast Boolits). Like here I visit it everyday.