Hi Folks,
FYI, I have basic experience in casting small items with pewter in soapstone.
As my next goal, I'd like to make something like a small platter or dinner plate (maybe 12" or so in diameter to start with). I am thinking I could do this via a sand casting technique, which I have not done before, but seems straightforward, and I anticipate the materials are within my budgetary constraints...
I figure I'd make forms of 1x8 pine lumber and/or 1/2" or 3/4" plywood, maybe 20x20" or so since I'm proposing a 12" plate, get some 100 grit silica sand somewhere, and put the master plate upside down on the bottom form smooth surface with a extra lump in the middle to fill in the concave space, dust it all, then set and fill the top form on top of that.
The master dinnerplate I'm thinking of would be a plain looking item in ceramic (no fancy details or scrollwork or anything), I've got some friends who do pottery, or I might buy a nice one from a department store, like a piece of that Fiestaware stuff.
My main references are the McCreight books, while quite illustrative and easy for a newbie like me these mostly deal with smaller items like little trinkets and such.
How would folks here go about it, or maybe could suggest some references on casting peweter on the "larger" scale and/or type of items I am proposing? I'd eventually like to make bigger platters, or a simple cup or mug, or maybe candlesticks, but that would be after I get dinner plates down.
I'd plan to use either R8 or B7 pewter alloys from Ney Metals, if this makes any difference.
Thanks,
Ed