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Pewter Counter tops
Peter R -
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 2:15pm
countertops | pewter sheet Hello, We are new to metalsmithing...a long time cabinetmaker we are now wishing to expand into the manufacture of Pewter counter tops. We have suppliers for pewter sheet and consumables...we are hoping someone may have knowledge of books, video's or hands on experience to help us get started...even if there is training available. Thanks Peter  Marilyn, Thanks for the
visitor -
Friday, December 18, 2009 - 1:17am
Marilyn, Thanks for the idea's...i do wonder about using shavings of the pewter that would require welding rahter than soldering as they would have the same melting point. » reply  You might want to consider
Dick C -
Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 5:22pm
You might want to consider zinc also. Zinc bar and counter tops have been popular to some degree. It's harder and less expensive than tin, the main component of pewter. I don't have any links, but it shouldn't be too hard to find. » reply  Personally, I think pewter
Rich Waugh -
Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 7:48pm
Personally, I think pewter would make a really crummy countertop. It is far too soft to be maintained with anything less than a full-time scullery maid and it has an unpleasant tendency to transfer itself to anything that rubs on it. Making it seamless will be a real challenge, as you would have to solder any seams in place on the substrate - the stuff is just too soft to handle large pieces without great risk of kinking/denting them inadvertently. I would suggest that you consider zinc as an alternative. As noted, it is harder than pewter, easier to maintain and is less likely to leave dark smudges on milady's apron every time she brushes up against it. Zinc is also probably cheaper than tin. It was a staple for old commodes and dry sink tops during the early 20th century and would be retro-chic these days. If you just like the look of pewter there are a couple of companies that sell laminated products with pewter-colored metal faces. PureMetal used to be one supplier that I used years ago - I have no idea if they're still around. I believe Wilsonart also made som metal laminates. Rich » reply Rich, some interesting
visitor -
Friday, December 18, 2009 - 1:12am
Rich, some interesting thoughts...my intentions were to go with the distresed look from the start, I had not thought about the colour rubbing off...It seems unusual that the places that have the pewter tops are quite exclusive residences, maybe they are only for looks!!! We have have been using laminate for countertops for decades, I feel now they are just to boring, no character. Zinc maybe a better option probably a little hard to work but easier to obtain. Peter » reply Peter, If you have access to
Rich Waugh -
Friday, December 18, 2009 - 2:10am
Peter, If you have access to one of those homes with the3 pewter counter tops it would be interesting and probably valuable to get some feedback about it. It is entirely possible thatthe newer pewter alloys don't have the problem of oxide transfer than the older alloys did. The distressed look is very popular and hides a multitude of fabrication/installation sins and should be easily done on the zinc as well as pewter. It will take more force to move the zinc, but that just means you get a bigger hammer. :-) The one drawback to zinc is that in the presence of moisture and salt it will develop whitish oxides. Since a counter would get daily use I don't think this should be an issue, though. I'll be interested to hear some follow-up on how it all works out. Good luck with it! Rich » reply  Hi Peter, sounds like a cool
eligius1427 -
Friday, December 18, 2009 - 9:54am
Hi Peter, sounds like a cool project. I've often found that with nicer residences there is a much more active cleaning/maintenance program already in progress. If the counter was cleaned and waxed or whatever once a week, the residue might not be noticeable. Let it sit for a month or two and it might be another story. I haven't worked with pewter before, but I've installed plain steel with a rust finish for counters before. I thought it would be a mess, but they maintain it every week and haven't had a problem. Jake Jake Balcom » reply I have thought about the
Peter R -
Saturday, January 9, 2010 - 6:21am
I have thought about the black marking from the pewter...have now realised that the pewter sheet produced for counter tops is generally lead free mostly for health reasons but the lead was probably the cause of the marking. » reply |
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ArtMetal
I would google to find
I would google to find supplies. Years ago, I was in a pewter workshop for metalsmiths and did raise several vessels. Pewter is so malleable that it is hard to control if you are used to using copper or silver. It needs to be heavier and yes, it can be annealed. There are solders available but I decided that it was just as easy to make shavings of the sheet and use that. The flux was something that the drugstore mixed for me but I think that the fluxes that are used by tinsmiths and plumbers would also work. It's a beautiful metal but does scratch very easily so you don't want to put a mirror finish on it. I think it would be hard for a homeowner to keep it looking nice unless it starts with a distressed look.
marilyn