We're Spinning Again!

We are frequently asked to explain how we actually make our products. Although there are many steps along the way, we find that, when friends and family pop in to visit, they are the most captivated by our casting machines. Even though it has been nearly 25 years since I first learned to cast, I still find it pretty fascinating, myself!

Here is how we cast:

The lid of the centrifugal machine is opened and a mold is placed inside. The lid is shut, thus triggering the mold inside to spin around and around. The hot, molten pewter is ladled into the top of the machine. It flows down into the mold, filling all the nooks and crannies with pewter.

Unfortunately, nothing is 100% perfect and bits of pewter tend to fly out through the edges of the mold and onto the sides of the machine. In fact, at one time, we had a machine  whose lid didn't close quite right. Fortunately, I wore a work apron because, at the end of the day, there would be a ridge of pewter flashings across my front!

Here is a picture of our old casting machine - covered with pewter flashings.



 

 

It's been on its last legs for quite awhile.

 

Recently, a giant truck pulled up and out came a big box.

Recently, a giant truck pulled up and out came a big box.
Of course we had to grab Oliver, who is just over two years old.

(You may have spoken with his Mom, Nancy, on the phone

or received an order, put together by his Dad, Matt.)

 

We knew there was a photo opportunity here.  We took the first photo before we realized that - yikes! - he didn't have his safety gear on. I think he looks like he is going to faint from the excitement of it all.

 


Note to OSHA:

This machine was not installed or plugged in.

Safety First!