The use of pewter can add a great deal to woodturnings and is a very versatile material when one knows how to use it. It melts at between 260 and 310 degrees C or 500 to 599 degrees Fahrenheit. Interesting to note that pewter is mainly tin (about 90%), antimony (about 8%) and copper (about 2%). It is a very useful metal as its melting point is so low; it shines up very well and can be used for decoration and food consumption.
The first important decision to make is whether you are going to cast the pewter into your finished work or to cast it into a waste mould and then glue it into your finished work. I have found that I get more predictable results by using a waste wood mould. That way if the pewter is too hot and burns the wood it does not matter. On the waste block you need to mark out the dimensions of the pewter top and turn the recesses to make the mould.
It is important to remember that the mould profile is the mirror image of what you want the pewter piece to look like. Put enough pewter into a metal cup or crucible and put it over a flame. Within only a few minutes it will have melted. If you are pouring directly into your finished work you will want to test the temperature of the metal with a stick of wood to check for scorching.
You should ware gloves for safety. In the picture to the right you can see that the pewter is very hot and is burning the wood. If you pour the pewter when it is too cool you may have problems with the metal joining at the two ends of the pour. That is the major reason I like to pour into waste wood at a higher temperature.
Once the metal has cooled down or been forced cooled in water, you can remount the waste block on the lathe and turn the pewter to the desired shape. I use a sharp gouge and a parting tool to do the majority of the turning. The pewter can then be sanded and buffed to a mirror finish. The only downside of buffing is that it will blacken you buffing wheel. Then glue it into the finished piece.
This same pewter casting technique has been used to make the ring on the picture to the right.
I get my pewter from Atlas Metal.