How to find cheap pewter

[flatsrat76]

Hey all
I know it's been a long time since I have posted much but I really haven't really been up to much....
well if you look on rotometals pewter is about $19.00 a pound so I will tell you how to find pewter really cheap..
I don't know how it is around you all but we have thrift shops and garage sales like crazzzzzy down here and most of them have modern pewter items from .10 to $4.00 a pound... and sometimes they have whole pewter set for under that...
So its just something to think about if you want to try pouring other metals other then lead :bigfish:
Flatsrat76

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

What is the melting point of pewter?

 

[flatsrat76]

What is the melting point of pewter?

460s to low 500s

 

[Hawnjigs]

How can you tell if its lead free? I've bought some garage sale Thailand pewter, but Google couldn't identify the alloy formulas with the mfg. stamp. I found it a tuff pour, but the jig heads it could were way harder than lead.

Sooo, be careful peddling them as "lead free", you might end up back inside...

 

[flatsrat76]

If its modern Pewter 9 times out of 10 it will be lead free.. you can also check the hallmarks

How can you tell if its lead free? I've bought some garage sale Thailand pewter, but Google couldn't identify the alloy formulas with the mfg. stamp. I found it a tuff pour, but the jig heads it could were way harder than lead.

Sooo, be careful peddling them as "lead free", you might end up back inside...

 

[Hawnjigs]

What defines "modern Pewter"?
Is some hallmarked pewter worth more than metal value?
Have you poured any pewter heads?

I noticed a pewter looter offering poundage lots on eBay - familiar with that?

 

[flatsrat76]

What defines "modern Pewter"?
Is some hallmarked pewter worth more than metal value?
Have you poured any pewter heads?

I noticed a pewter looter offering poundage lots on eBay - familiar with that?

60s 70s and so on pewter is modern...
yes some of the hallmarked stuff is worth more
I have no clue what your talking about ebay I would never sell anything for a profit

 

[Hawnjigs]

In that case, I'll take any un-dyed bills you have for $.50 on the dollar.

Think someone else then figured how cheap flea market & garage sale pewter was. I haven't checked lately, but he(?) was running several auctions a week for poundage lots. I bid on a few but others were willing to pay more.

Pewter, even mystery "old" lead stuff, is great for improving lead alloys by adding tin content. Foundry tin metal is up to $20 a lb. and rising I think.

 

[flatsrat76]

let me sleep on the 50 cent to a buck trade
your right its about $20.00 a pound

In that case, I'll take any un-dyed bills you have for $.50 on the dollar.

Think someone else then figured how cheap flea market & garage sale pewter was. I haven't checked lately, but he(?) was running several auctions a week for poundage lots. I bid on a few but others were willing to pay more.

Pewter, even mystery "old" lead stuff, is great for improving lead alloys by adding tin content. Foundry tin metal is up to $20 a lb. and rising I think.

 

[Hawnjigs]

How about $.60?

In case any are wondering, "modern" pewter standard is generally 92% tin with the remaining 8% antimony or sometimes a bit of copper. Previously, pewter could contain lead and was even used for eating & drinking utensils.

 

[flatsrat76]

And or bismuth

 

[Hawnjigs]

Yes, bismuth is possible, but uncommon because antimony is a cheaper and harder alloy metal to strengthen tin. Pewter(modern) could be described as a hardened tin alloy.

Scrap pewter can be difficult to distinguish from aluminum - I once bought some on eBay mislabeled by the seller. Yes, aluminum is lighter but still difficult to distinguish since aluminum finish can be "antiqued" to resemble pewter. Lots of fun trying to melt aluminum... Also, zinc castings can be mistaken for pewter also and a local scrap seller made that mistake. As mentioned in "lead casting" posts, its not difficult to melt zinc into and ruin a lead alloy.