Reply To: Replacing split ferrules
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Ok, this is cool enough to give it a try.
I cast lead soldiers as a kid before lead was toxic.
The guys at Mortise and Tenon magazine posted on Instagram today about casting ferrules with Britannia pewter right on the tool.
The “form” is card stock and masking tape.
I’ve Ben picking up pewter spoons at the thrift stores for an idea I had casting wood plane parts. Britannia isn’t the old pewter that had lead in it. It’s typically 92% tin with copper and Antimony added. Lots of flatware has been made of the stuff. “English” pewter is pretty similar.
Flatware will either say Britannia on it or have a touchmarke that includes EPBM on it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJ045NgUaC/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1w7ljryun8mi8
Britannia melts at 600° F so. just a propane or Mapp gas torch will melt it.
Here’s a site that shows what the touch marks look like.
http://www.silvercollection.it/dictionarybritanniametal.html
You can also order Britannia online for about $20 a pound. That’s a lot of ferrules.