It is necessary to have proper knowledge about how to use pewter casting equipment and molds so that you can avoid any accidents and casting defects. Pewter casting services are useful in producing decorative items and ornaments. Various other industries, such as automotive and marine industries, also use cast pewter products.

If you are in the business of pewter casting services, updating your knowledge about new technology and equipment can give you an edge over your competitors. Awareness and usage of proper pewter casting supplies such as safety gloves, helmets and pewter molding materials for casting pewter is important.

To educate yourself and your employees about the pewter casting process, you can:

1. Check manufacturers’ websites for details on the pewter casting process and relevant terminology
2. Search for training programs about pewter castings
3. Seek an expert’s advice if you need information on custom pewter casting
4. Read magazines and journals that provide updates on casting techniques and equipment

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Understand the basics of pewter casting and the relevant terminology

If you have very little exposure to pewter casting and technology, you can learn the basics by browsing different resources, such as websites of casting companies. Some reputable data publishing companies also provide information on the basics of pewter casting.

I recommend: You can log on to MetalCastingZone.com, a free metal casting community site that provides useful information about the pewter casting process. To understand the basic pewter casting process, you can also refer to online material available at technologystudent.com.

Find training courses that can educate you on pewter casting

You can enroll for various metal casting courses that include a detailed education on the pewter casting process.

I recommend: ASL Pewter Foundry, a manufacturer of high quality, lead-free pewter products, also provides training on traditional casting techniques including pewter casting. You can find basic level courses in casting pewter at Wareham Forge, which provides education about designing, casting and finishing pewter products.

Get information from a pewter casting services provider

You can scroll through operations manuals from pewter casting manufacturers that provide equipment diagrams and troubleshooting instructions.

I recommend: TEKCAST, a reputable casting equipment and supplies supplier, also provides knowledge and technical support to its customers. Aspiring designers can get all kinds of custom pewter casting support from RVS and Company, another manufacturer of machinery and instruments.

Join associations for pewter casting companies

Associations of metal casting companies provide a platform for communication and interaction between the experts, service providers and customers of different types of casting technologies.

I recommend: American Foundry Society is a leading metal casting society that offers a platform for metal casting professionals. You can also join the World Foundrymen Organization, an international association that represents the interests of the metal casting industry.

Pewter casting is a multiple step process that results in the alloy being molded into a specific shape. Pewter is a popular choice for decorative items, such as charms and ornaments, but is durable enough to be used in the automotive and marine industries. Pewter casting molds are constructed from an original object which is eventually reproduced in pewter. Depending on your business' production capabilities, you have the option of creating your own custom molds and casting pewter in-house, or outsourcing to a company that specializes in casting alloys.

The decision to cast pewter in-house or order finished products depends on your business' products and services. Typically, commercial art studios produce their own designs and hand-cast pewter to create sculptures and other artwork, while a luggage production company is more likely to order custom pewter pieces for their products. When ordering pewter casting supplies and services, consider the following:

1. Order only lead-free pewter.

2. Purchase custom pewter pieces to meet your company's specific needs.

3. Save money by incorporating pre-made pewter castings in your manufactured products.

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Purchase lead-free pewter casting supplies

If you cast pewter in house, it's important to buy only lead-free materials. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, lead overexposure is one of the most common overexposures found in the industrial workplace and the leading cause of workplace illness. When ordering pewter, don't assume it's lead-free. Look for 'lead-free' in the product's description.

I recommend: Order pewter from Atlas Metal Sales. Look for the asterisk that denotes lead-free pewter when placing your order. The company offers 24-hour shipments. Pewter from Rotometals is ideal for casting into plaster pairs and sand and rubber molds, as well as jewelry and statues. The company's lead-free pewters are made from tin, antimony, copper and monel.

Place custom pewter casting orders

Whether you need to order custom alloys or you're searching for custom-designed pewter castings, many companies specialize in casting pewter specifically for your needs. By working with custom manufacturers, you're not limited to picking out a product from a catalog.

I recommend: Take advantage of the custom pewter casting services of Modern Aluminum Castings. The company manufactures products ranging from explosion-proof castings to blower and motor housing. Search the product guide for your preferred alloy. Jeff Valent Studios is a full-service casting house that offers complete mold making and casting services, as well as in-house sculpting and design services. The company's custom cast pewter is lead-free. Place a custom order with Purity Casting Alloys. The company offers custom alloys appropriate for industrial pewter casting, including sand casting pewter.

Buy pewter castings in bulk

Bulk pewter castings are ideal for small parts of a product, such as belt buckles or luggage tags. Placing bulk orders can be cost effective both for small business owners and large corporations. Many companies offer free shipping on bulk orders.

I recommend: Browse the product catalog at Albest Metal Stamping for various pewter hardware. The company offers a large selection of products, including key rings, suspender hardware, holster clips and picture frame hardware. LookInTheAttic & Company offers detailed lead-free solid pewter hardware, including decorative cabinet knobs.

Pewter casting products are useful for industrial as well as non-industrial applications. The automotive and marine industries use pewter casting products for their durability. The jewelry and sculpture industries use these products for their aesthetic look and formability.

Whether you want to be a supplier of pewter casting products or you want to try pewter casting as a hobby, you will come across various technical terms. This guide intends to familiarize you with important pewter casting terms, such as melting point, captive or jobbing foundry, metric tonne and molds.

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Melting point

Melting point of the material is the temperature at which a solid gets converted into a liquid at standard atmospheric pressure. Pewter has melting point of around 230° C. Therefore, furnaces for pewter casting process should be able to heat the material above 230° C.

I recommend: For the definition of this key term, read through glossary at the Department of Chemistry at Wisconsin University.

Captive or jobbing foundry

If you want to use pewter casting products as components of your products, you will need to establish a captive foundry. If your requirement for pewter castings is not regular, you can opt for a jobbing foundry.

I recommend: You can read through the explanations for captive and jobbing foundries at the glossary of foundry terms at Atlas Foundry, a jobbing foundry.

mt (Metric tonne)

Casting companies measure their melting capacity in metric tonnes per unit time (hour or shift). One metric tonne is equal to 1,000 kg.

I recommend: NatSteel Holdings, a supplier of steel and steel products, offers a glossary of steel terms, including the definition for metric tonne.

Ladles

A ladle is a bucket-shaped container that is used for moving and pouring molten metal into a mold. Generally, ladles have refractory brick lining laid internally to avoid damage to the container material.

I recommend: Ferralloy Inc., a supplier of casting products, offers a glossary of casting terms, including ladle.

Molds

A mold (also called casting die) is a die that has a cavity into which the molten metal can be poured to produce metal components that have the shape of the mold cavity. Pewter can be cast into molds made up of plaster, charcoal, baked clay, soapstone and sand.

I recommend: MetalCastingDesign.com, an online resource for metal casting buyers, offers a glossary of metal casting terms, such as ladle and mold.

Patterns

A pattern is the exact replica of the component to be produced by the casting process. A pattern is used to form the mold cavity and molten metal is then poured into this cavity. A pattern could be made up of wood, metal or ceramic.

I recommend: Energy Manager Training offers glossary of terms related to the foundry operations.

To cast pewter, one must pour molten pewter into molds where it hardens to create items. These items differ depending on the mixture of copper or antimony with the tin. Lead has been used in the past as an additive to aid in hardening and can be recognized by the bluish hue it leaves in the cast piece.

In the past, cast pewter was used to make house wares and dinnerware. It is currently used for other purposes. Various pewter casting types and styles are practiced and each technique requires special pewter casting supplies to create a wide range of things including:

1. Decorative pewter castings.

2. Custom pewter casting items.

3. Industrial pewter casting for the automotive and marine industries.

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See the benefits of spin casting pewter

Spin casting is a type of casting that uses the force of rotation to cast an item within a mold. The mold is filled and the casting hardens while rotating. Spin casting is also referred to as centrifugal rubber mold casting.

I recommend: Pewter casting materials for spin casting can be obtained from Purity Casting Alloys. Find more information on spin casting at Pewter by Design. For a demonstration of spin casting, see the video at Tekcast Industries.

Consider the technique of slush casting pewter for certain applications

Liquid pewter is poured into a cool mold to create a slush casting. As the molten alloy comes in contact with the mold, it hardens, creating a shell figure. This type of casting is best to reduce the weight of items or if the exterior details are important but the inside is not. Many handles are created using this casting style, as are decorations like vases and candlesticks.

I recommend: Learn about slush casting pewter from The Worshipful Company of Pewterers website. Visit Gibson Pewter for examples of slush cast pewter items. Refer to Pinder Brothers for more information on slush casting.

Use soapstone molds for custom cast pewter

Soapstone is used to create a mold into which liquid pewter is poured and allowed to harden. Any desired design can be carved from the stone. Special grinding and polishing pewter casting equipment will be needed to finish the product. Because of its durability, stone is well suited as a mold for items that need to be replicated many times. Stone is also a good mold choice for detailed items, like jewelry, because it holds the pattern.

I recommend: Darrell Markewitz shares information on stone casting. Another pewter casting reference is StasoSphere, which includes information on making custom pewter alloy and pewter casting molds.