The third project in a series my thirteen-year-old and I are doing that we call "Home Eng." We found a 3D model online, 3D printed it, used the print to produce a silicone mold, and then used the mold to cast the final pewter object. Pewter melts at a fairly low temperature, making it somewhat easier to work with than metals with a higher melting point. The puddle at the bottom is just overfill from the pouring process; we trimmed it off after this picture was taken. Why a pineapple? I have no idea — you'd have to ask her.
(A note on the name: this is actually cast from bismuth, not pewter. I was using "pewter" casually.)
Some pictures from making it. Here's the pour. The metal is bismuth, which melts at quite a low temperature and only needs the equivalent of a hot plate to melt. It was a really good first casting material, especially since the temperature is low enough that we could use a silicone mold, and not have to deal with things like sand casting or investment casting, which are a bit more involved.
Extracting the cast.
And one fresh out of the mold, with the flash still on.
Completed project, happy maker.
