VermontPhisher Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I have access to a centrifugal molding system where I work. My mind is already spinning about what I could do with this set up. The only snag for me is that it can only be used to cast lead free pewter because it is mostly used to make items considered to be toys. The big question is can I use pewter ounce for ounce in place of lead. I would mostly try to make inline spinner bait bodies and offset spinner baits. My other question is can I use pewter in standard molds or is it too hot? We pour it at 500 - 550 degrees if that helps out. Thanks -Brett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Cant help you with most, but I can say that we pour lead at 650-700 deg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Standard 92-8 (tin-antimony or tin-antimony+copper) pewter weighs about 62% as much as lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Anderson Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Standard 92-8 (tin-antimony or tin-antimony+copper) pewter weighs about 62% as much as lead. Interesting....if a person were wanting to pou a 'bigger' bait and get the weight down....hmmmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo qwack Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Mmmm how much and where can you get pewter. If you can put it in a lee pot and pour big jig heads that are lighter wieght that would be awesome. Sorry didn't mean to high jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psilvers Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Mmmm how much and where can you get pewter. If you can put it in a lee pot and pour big jig heads that are lighter wieght that would be awesome. Sorry didn't mean to high jack You can also try tin. It is lighter than lead and probably less expensive than pewter. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psilvers Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 You can also try tin. It is lighter than lead and probably less expensive than pewter. Pete Mo Qwack - If you are from Missouri, there is a place in Columbia that carries tin and all different formulation of lead/tin/antimony. I have bought tin from them, their name just slips my mind at the moment. They sell sell all sorts of relaoding supplies (powder, lead, tin). Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo qwack Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Mo Qwack - If you are from Missouri, there is a place in Columbia that carries tin and all different formulation of lead/tin/antimony. I have bought tin from them, their name just slips my mind at the moment. They sell sell all sorts of relaoding supplies (powder, lead, tin). Pete Pete you are the man!!!! I'm at the hospital in columbia. I just had my first baby, the sweetest girl in the world!!! Is the place called mid way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psilvers Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Pete you are the man!!!! I'm at the hospital in columbia. I just had my first baby, the sweetest girl in the world!!! Is the place called mid way? Congrats on the new addition!! I hope all is OK with the little one and your wife. Midway is the place! I had a senior moment and couldn't remember the name. I have only ordered by phone, but you can pick up the order if you give them some notice. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontPhisher Posted March 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Thanks you guys for all the input. There is a lot to consider now. I will let you know how this plays out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Vt Phisher I can understand the wanting to switch over with the laws the way they are here in Vermont. I live up the road in Northfield and I pour what I can legally. That of course leaves out the split shot and under 1/2 ounce sinkers. I've been doing the research thing on non-lead for a while and Pewter is looking better and better although I've been checking out this stuff from American Tin and Solder it's ATS 75B 75 Tin 17.5 Antimony and 7.5 bismuth. Good luck with the switchover. Fatman Thanks you guys for all the input. There is a lot to consider now. I will let you know how this plays out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Vt Phisher I can understand the wanting to switch over with the laws the way they are here in Vermont. I live up the road in Northfield and I pour what I can legally. That of course leaves out the split shot and under 1/2 ounce sinkers. I've been doing the research thing on non-lead for a while and Pewter is looking better and better although I've been checking out this stuff from American Tin and Solder it's ATS 75B 75 Tin 17.5 Antimony and 7.5 bismuth. Good luck with the switchover. Fatman How would the DNR know if it was tin or lead after it has been painted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterjay Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 How would the DNR know if it was tin or lead after it has been painted? They can tell by handling it. It's easy to tell the difference by weight alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontPhisher Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks again for all the info. I will soon have personal access to the pewter equipment and lead free pewter. I need to buy or make some molds. I am going to make split shots first to get the hang of it. I sometimes pour for our historical line of products like musket balls and coin replicas.I just need to make time for my stuff or go in on the weekend. The unit is centrifugal like I said before, but I could pour into standard molds no problem. I will only have to pay for the pewter I use so I will save tons of money. I would like to make a variety of items someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Common pewter alloys might be too hard for split shot sinkers - only pure tin or soft lead works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontPhisher Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Common pewter alloys might be too hard for split shot sinkers - only pure tin or soft lead works for me. I have been testing its softness and it is harder but it will still do the job. You just have to squeeze a little harder. I might also make the slot a little deeper so it crimps easier. I more likely move towards lure bodies and jigs. Split shot is just my starting point for mold making and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontPhisher Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Here are the casting machine pictures. This mold makes musket balls which are easy to convert into drop shot sinkers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Wish I worked for a place like that!!!!!!! I'd definately design some jig molds and pour a few hundred jigs at a time!!!! Is your company giving you a discount on the pewter your going to use?? Let's see some when you finish Fatman Here are the casting machine pictures. This mold makes musket balls which are easy to convert into drop shot sinkers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontPhisher Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Wish I worked for a place like that!!!!!!! I'd definately design some jig molds and pour a few hundred jigs at a time!!!! Is your company giving you a discount on the pewter your going to use?? Let's see some when you finish Fatman I have talked to my boss about it and I will pay cost on the weight of pewter used and the guy who normally runs the machine said he thinks the mold making charge is $35. We have in house mold making and lots of anglers on our crew so I may be able to spread the fees out a bit. I might also have found a new source of income for the company. The tricky part will be figuring out how to make a mold around hooks. we normally cast solid one piece items. If anyone has info on this please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Here's some pictures of molds from tekcast, shows some angles of wires on spinnerbaits and some of hooks and how to cast a whole heck of alot of bell sinkers at one time!!!!!!!!! http://www.tekcast.com/pdf/fishing.pdf I'd love to make one up for flying lure jig heads, got plenty of bodies but hardly any jigs Hope this helps Fatman I have talked to my boss about it and I will pay cost on the weight of pewter used and the guy who normally runs the machine said he thinks the mold making charge is $35. We have in house mold making and lots of anglers on our crew so I may be able to spread the fees out a bit. I might also have found a new source of income for the company. The tricky part will be figuring out how to make a mold around hooks. we normally cast solid one piece items. If anyone has info on this please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 The first time you make some inline spinner bodies let me know, Cause that dog will hunt for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I have access to a centrifugal molding system where I work. My mind is already spinning about what I could do with this set up. The only snag for me is that it can only be used to cast lead free pewter because it is mostly used to make items considered to be toys. The big question is can I use pewter ounce for ounce in place of lead. I would mostly try to make inline spinner bait bodies and offset spinner baits. My other question is can I use pewter in standard molds or is it too hot? We pour it at 500 - 550 degrees if that helps out. Thanks -Brett. Pewter will be lighter than lead, maybe 60%. What is a "standard mold". If it is a silicone mold, 550 degrees won't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 This might be a bit off topic, but of what value are pewter musket balls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontPhisher Posted March 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 This might be a bit off topic, but of what value are pewter musket balls? I am confused by your question. They sell for a few bucks is one answer. They are replicas we sell to museum gift shops . I take the 2nds home and turn them into drop shots. The real value is access to this machine. I just need to make the molds. Please elaborate on your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 I dunno, thought the lighter pewter weight might have a functional advantage for target shooting - longer range, flatter trajectory... Didn't know that they had value as replicas. I guess tourists will buy anything - here in HI you can buy plastic "shell" necklaces made in China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
