Lead, Tin or Pewter?

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:35 am

I am looking for a non-marring block of metal. It was suggested that I get either lead or pewter, with pewter being the safer....but I also found a Tin supplier and Tin is a bit softer.... but is it too soft?

Any guidance would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Brian W. Rainey · Post by **Brian W. Rainey** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:39 am

I think I have a block of lead in the garage. I will look tonight.

If not... go to a dive shop (lots of local ones around us) and see if they have any used weights. They are normally dirt cheap and you can get them by the butt-load. Melt them down in a can (I like ham cans). A very little heat is needed, as it is lead. VOILA! You have a nice lead block.

That is what I did back in Sicily... ages ago. Worked good.

justmagnus · Post by **justmagnus** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:14 pm

I'm pretty sure you can pick up used tire weights from garages and tire shops pretty cheap also.

Rob

waveicle · Post by **waveicle** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:35 pm

How about brass stock? I like it for setting rivits. Lead is a nasty metal. Wash your hands before you eat and don't cut it on a band saw without a respirator.

HugoFuchs · Post by **HugoFuchs** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:19 pm

And don't breathe the fumes when melting lead. Wear gloves and it'll stay off your hands. Take an iron supplement unless you eat alot of high iron food in your regular diet. Lead isn't that unsafe if you take reasonable precautions. Just avoid breathing it in or eating it.

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:39 pm

That is why I was asking if Tin would be better. Does anyone have any experience using Tin?

Brian W. Rainey · Post by **Brian W. Rainey** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:40 pm

Pewter might work, also. Never really thought about it.

I always used lead cause I wanted to have three-headed kids.

Pewter would be very easy to recycle... try it and see how well it works. Let us know.

Jurgen · Post by **Jurgen** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 2:38 pm

I've used pewter, pure tin and lead. The all act slightly differently due to differences in mallebility and work hardening but they are pretty eqivalent. Most modern pewters are pretty high in tin content anyway so there isn't much difference between tin and pewter. Lead is a bit softer than tin/pewter.

Jurgen