Low temperature casting metal

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

I want to cast some chess pieces. I have Pewter for the “white” as it’s east to melt and cast, but I’m stuck on a similar low temp, but not silver coloured metal for the “black” set.

Probably doing this with the kids, as they can make wooden moods for pewter.

Any metal suggestions?

Dave

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Anodising?

Edited By Ady1 on 03/01/2021 13:10:28

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Plastic, instead of metal? Don’t know of a black metal, or anything close to it as most are light and shiny.

[RichardNParticipant @richardn]

What about Woods metal, or one of the other very low temp metals. Comes in all sorts of similar alloys, some without cadmium, which might be preferred since you also suggested kids in the same sentence…?

Woods Metal

The stuff I have is a very whitish silver, and certainly once pewter has started to fester on a shelf for a bit can get quite a dark grey- so possibly inverting your colour choice?

Edited By RichardN on 03/01/2021 13:19:41

Edited By RichardN on 03/01/2021 13:19:55

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

can you chemically darken the Pewter or add a patina to the surface. Failing that clear casting resin with iron or bronze powder and poured into the same moulds

[mike TParticipant @miket56243]

A dark metal filled acrylic casting resin.

Room temperature, so safer for the kids as well..

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

I filled some checks in a rustic style table using epoxy and metallic nail art filler – available in a huge range of colours if you're game to get away from B/W convention.

edit – another thought might be to 'leaf' if afterwards – faux gold leaf et al isn't too pricey

pgk

Edited By pgk pgk on 03/01/2021 14:31:26

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

I can think of no low melting point metals that would fulfill your requirement. Only some surface coating would do the job, coloured resins as others have said would be one route. Bear in mind that for detailed casting you will need a much higher temperature than just the menlting point. For pewter it would be in the region of 350 – 400*C. Noel.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Pewter has lead in it.

[Rod RenshawParticipant @rodrenshaw28584]

Modern pewter has antimony instead of lead.

Rod

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The pewter won't stay shiney white unless you varnish it. If you look for 'antique patina' treatments for pewter there will be a way of darkening it to look old.

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

Thanks all, sounds like a bit of a rethink is required.

If I come up with a cunning plan I’ll post it.

Dave

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