How are pewter ornaments & figurines made?
Pewter is made in a variety of ways. Each technique reflects the individual Pewterer’s skills. Artisans train for many years and tend to specialize in one technique. Some cast their pieces by pouring molten pewter. They often use molds which are more than one hundred years old. They then finish their pieces by jointing the castings together and turning them on a lathe. Artisans who “spin” their pewter force flat circular disks of rolled pewter over a wood or metal chuck mounted on a lathe. They use highly specialized tools to bend the pewter into the desired shape. Then they finish their pieces by polishing or bulling. Today some Pewterers even use presses and skillfully made dies to create pieces in greater quantity and with consistent quality. Still, others practice modern centrifugal casting techniques using rubber molds. Rubber melds are particularly useful for creating the finely detailed figurines and ornaments which are so popular with today’s collectors. How do I clean my pewte
