"Seeking a source for pewter" Topic
9 Posts
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| Gallocelt | 03 Aug 2025 12:47 p.m. PST |
I have recently acquired a rubber mold of a single 15mm figure. I want to try my hand at casting but I need some decent pewter. I live in the USA and at one time I recall Minifigs were produced here by the incomparable Tom Dye and company. I purchased many of the Minifigs he made and I firmly believe that the pewter alloy used was the absolute best I've ever encountered. I don't know how to contact Tom Dye, but I would be keen to find a source for the pewter alloy he used. If anyone out there has information that would point me in the right direction, I would certainly appreciate it. Cheers! Gallo |
 Sgt Slag  | 03 Aug 2025 1:47 p.m. PST |
In your preferred search engine, enter, "pewter metal supply". You will find many USA suppliers to choose from. You might also search for, "best figure casting pewter alloy". If you will be gravity casting, add that to your search entry. I used Prince August's Model Metal, in my 25mm PA molds: spotty results, but far better than pure lead I tried. Cheers! |
| dBerzerk | 03 Aug 2025 4:17 p.m. PST |
Sgt Slag -- I finally get your nom de plume. Clever. |
 Dye4minis | 03 Aug 2025 8:36 p.m. PST |
Hi, Gallo. We detested using Ral Partha's Ralidium! It would act like saran wrap on the laddle, was very expensive and we needed to have a local source where we could go and pick up a couple hundred pounds when needed and NOT have to pay for transportation. Our formula was 96% tin, 4% antimony. No lead. When we started in 1998, a pound cost us under $4 USD a pound. When we closed our doors it was somewhere around $20 USD a pound! Our success rate was around 99% per spin. It captured detail excellently. (BTW, the molds both masters and production are up for sale. Have over 2,000 molds in storage.) Does that help, Gallo? Thanks for the nice words. |
| Gallocelt | 05 Aug 2025 7:37 a.m. PST |
Hello Tom, Yes, that helps immensely! Knowing the proportions of the metals allows me to seek out a source that produces that particular quality of pewter. I am fortunate enough to have purchased many of the Minifigs that you produced. The metal is very durable. Generally, swords and bayonets bend only when comparatively firm force is applied. As a consequence, there were very, very few broken or distorted figures. Going into the business of production is well beyond the scope of my current ambitions as I am now a retired person.
My emphasis is design, and perhaps someday I'll create some unique figures to mold and then cast. I prefer 15mm scale and I know there is a lot out there, but it always frustrates me when figures that I believe should exist are nowhere to be found. Many thanks to you Tom, for the years of hobby joy that the figures you produced brought me. Also, thanks for chiming in about the pewter. Hopefully, I will find a good source for that proportion of metal alloy.
Cheers!
Gallo |
| Dye4minis | 05 Aug 2025 2:13 p.m. PST |
Thanks for those kind words from another LOA and WSS enthusiast. If you live near a major city you should be successful in finding a source. Glad I could help. |
| Gallocelt | 08 Aug 2025 8:27 a.m. PST |
Hi Tom, It was good to hear from you. You are right, my current interest is LOA and WSS. If you would ever want to discuss hobby stuff (or other stuff), I can be reached at gallocelt@yahoo.com. Cheers! Gallo |
| Master Caster | 08 Aug 2025 7:18 p.m. PST |
Hi Gallo,
If you still want to do experimenting with a small run on your single 15mm figure you can get some small amounts of bar solder on eBay or check with a few hardware stores for wire solder on a spool. A tin/lead mix is best but I wouldn't get any that is greater than 60 or 70% lead. The greater the tin content the better casting experience you'll have but the cost will go upward accordingly.
Watch the cost per pound and ask how much weight you're getting if it is not stated clearly. Around $20 USD for a pound is a good price these days if you can find it. Stay away from the exotic names of some metals. You don't know what you're getting. A tin-lead alloy is all you need with maybe a dash of antimony. Too much antimony will make it brittle.
You can also get small casting ladles on eBay for about $13 USD-15 for melting solder/casting alloy on a regular stove. Not sure how it would work on the newer glass top ones though.
For better and more consistent results get travel-sized container of Gold Bond powder for a few bucks. Dust your mold halves after each pour and clap out the excess in a waste basket.
When and if you want to go for greater amounts try bulk alloy sales with Hallmark Metals in Cranston, RI.
Contenti in Pawtucket, RI has casting tools and materials – not sure if you can get small quantities of metal with them. It's worth a look.
Toby Barrett |
| Gallocelt | 12 Aug 2025 9:40 a.m. PST |
Hello Master Caster, Thanks for your ideas. I will check out eBay as you suggest. I will probably try to get the same alloy Tom Dye was using. I do have a small amount I could get started with. It's probably about enough for 15 figures or so. Cheers! Gallo |
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