AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => Gallery => Topic started by: GBF on July 15, 2019, 10:16:03 PM

Title: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 15, 2019, 10:16:03 PM: This morning I made some Walnut Box's and Paper weights using Pewter inserts I made a while ago .I have done a WIP on my Blog

http://wwwartistry-in-wood.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Les Symonds on July 16, 2019, 05:32:19 AM: The pewter works well with the colour of the walnut and I can imagine that a complete desk-set would really look attractive.
Les
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 16, 2019, 07:43:01 AM: Thank you Les

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: andy44 on July 16, 2019, 11:35:18 AM: Some nice pieces there George, good wip on the blog too
all the best
Andy
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 16, 2019, 11:45:54 AM: Hi Andy

Thank you for commenting it is appreciated

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Twisted Trees on July 18, 2019, 10:57:24 AM: Hi George,

Pewter is not something I have worked with as yet, and no current plans. Though I like what you have done here and see that one day I may want to get involved with the metal. Any chance of including a link to your blog so I can see some more info.
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 18, 2019, 02:54:39 PM: There used to be a link to my Blog on the bottom of my page I dont know where it has gone I will look into it
http://wwwartistry-in-wood.blogspot.com/

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Steved on July 18, 2019, 08:17:22 PM: George
I like these and the pewter certainly goes well with the walnut.
I think I might like to try using pewter in a future project. Can I ask, do you need a particular grade of pewter? I assume it’s not as easy as melting down old beer tankards? I see it can be bought in ingots in different grades and at a range of prices.
Steve
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 18, 2019, 08:30:14 PM: I am not sure about the Grades but the best way to buy is ingots not cheap about £24 00 a Kilo and that does not go far.Where I bought mine it was the last he had.I bought 10 Kilos £200 00.
The chap I bought mine off casts Busts and this was left over from a project he did and I had a good deal.
Your best bet for info on Pewter is Paul Hannaby and if you want to learn how to use it go to Paul for a days Tuition that is what I did

Regards george
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: bodrighywood on July 18, 2019, 09:10:32 PM: I get my pewter from charity shops and melt down. Any mugs, ornaments etc work. Main thing is to make sure they're clean if you re using one of the shot makers that I and George use as it can bung up the nozzle. If you do this buy Sheffield pewter not imported and post 1900 as anything else can contain lead.

Pete
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Paul Hannaby on July 18, 2019, 09:53:11 PM: Lead free pewter (known as britannia metal) has been around from the late 18th century but it wasn't used exclusively so lead content can be variable depending on the source. Even now, there are still pewter alloys around with lead in them (just look at the Tiranti website) so unless you are absolutely sure of the composition, it's best to assume old (pre-1974) pewter may contain lead.

More info on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_pewter)
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: bodrighywood on July 18, 2019, 10:48:54 PM: Quote from: Paul Hannaby on July 18, 2019, 09:53:11 PM
Lead free pewter (known as britannia metal) has been around from the late 18th century but it wasn't used exclusively so lead content can be variable depending on the source. Even now, there are still pewter alloys around with lead in them (just look at the Tiranti website) so unless you are absolutely sure of the composition, it's best to assume old (pre-1974) pewter may contain lead.

More info on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_pewter)
Not going to argue with Wikipaedia lol. My info came from an antique dealer friend. Whichever is correct, look for the tarnish, pewter with lead tarnishes to a darker finish. Legally lead was excluded in 1974 but most quality lead prior to that was lead free or had minimal content.

Pete
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Steved on July 19, 2019, 04:11:29 PM: Thank all. Looks like lots of good advice there, all I need now is to find the time to give it a try.
Steve
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Mike313 on July 19, 2019, 06:25:52 PM: OK. I saw this post on the day it was posted and I have taken a long time to comment - partly because I am not as experienced as others on here - however, having seen recent posts about people not commenting etc., I thought I would make my comment anyway. So here goes. Warts 'n all.
I love the walnut and the finish you have gotten on it. The transition between the walnut and the pewter is lovely - I think if both were the same colour it would be difficult to see the joint. However, I do not like the work on the pewter. You DID say some of it was due to tool 'chatter'. To me, it all looks like tool chatter. For me, it is fuzzy in definition and imprecise in design. It looks as though it would be rough and sharp to the touch.
However, I think you have done a great job in 'marrying these two materials together.
Just my thoughts.
M.
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 19, 2019, 07:00:27 PM: I am not sure if you are not a bit confused I have a feeling you have looked at My Blog and got a bit mixed up.The tool chatter was when I was sizeing the Pewter discs with a parting tool but the finished texture was done with a knirling tool as shown in the picture.The finished texture is quite smooth to the touch because I de nibbed it with 600 grit abrasive.

Thank you for commenting it is aprecciated

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: bodrighywood on July 19, 2019, 07:44:11 PM: It is actually quite difficult to get fuzzy texturing in pewter as it cuts so cleanly. I have used three different tools for this on pewter muself and every one has always come out clean and crisp. The problem is in getting a good photo of it as it tends to reflect a lot and that has made the texturing look less crisp than I am sure it is in reality.

Pete
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 19, 2019, 07:57:43 PM: You are absolutly right Pete
I have used the Knurling Tool Chatter Tool and the Crown Texturing Tool and got good results from all of them

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Martin Lawrence on July 19, 2019, 08:07:45 PM: Hi George,

Like these very much good colour contrast. Have you ever tried texturing some hard wood and using that to pout molten Pewter into just wondering if that would make really crisp.

Cheers Martin.
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 19, 2019, 08:38:47 PM: Hi Martin

I dont think it would work because Pewter does not seem to stick to wood.

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: Bryan Milham on July 20, 2019, 09:41:23 PM: George,

I've held off making a comment on these as they don't fit your profile, or at least they way I see you as a turner and of the work I know you produce. To me these are utilitarian items, certainly not the decorative, colourful or eye catching work you normally show.

Okay, I know we all need to try something new and they are certainly up to your high standards, so I'm guessing it is part of your experimentation with pewter series.
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: GBF on July 20, 2019, 10:23:53 PM: I know I always say I dont make anything useful Bryan but sometimes I make things that are useful and look good I think LOL

Regards George
Title: Re: Walnut Box's and Paper weights with Pewter inserts
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on July 21, 2019, 10:07:15 AM: I think the decoration would benefit from being "framed" between a couple of crisp cut lines.Otherwise not a bad attempt for the early days of your journey through pewter George. As for sources of pewter, I still use old tankards and platters, the lead content is only a worry if you breathe in the fumes, do it outside and that is not a problem with PPE ,as to the material going grey that can enhance a piece. The lead content was never enough to worry about peopel getting lead poisoning just from handling it.