cast-cutlefsh-msg - 8/26/08
Casting pewter using cuttlefish molds.
NOTE: See also these files: casting-msg, casting-lnks, metals-msg, metalworking-msg, metalworking-FAQ, tokens-msg, belts-msg, fasteners-msg, soapstone-msg, pewter-msg.
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This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
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Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 05:09:37 -0400
From: "Peter B. Steiner" <petersdiner at yahoo.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Aquamanilia - info sought
Another casting technique which has been used since ancient times is Cuttlebone
casting. The desired pattern is carved into cuttlebone (the calcium carbonate
endoskeleton of an aquatic creature known as a cuttlefish) - and then metal is
poured directly into the relief carving. The valuable points of this technique
are that 1) anyone willing to exercise reasonable care (hot metal is always
dangerous unless it is properly handled) can produce good results, and 2)
cuttlebone is available in every pet store on the planet. (Cuttlebones are those
oblong white things people hang in bird cages to allow their birds to keep their
bills naturally abraded.)
This method of casting is easier than lost-wax, though like soapstone casting it
isn't as versatile for the production of 3-dimensional objects. Cuttlebone has
the virtues of being softer, easier to carve, and more widely available than
soapstone.
I don't want to discourage you from trying soapstone, which is an excellent
choice.....this is simply another Period alternative I thought might interest
you.
-Peter-
From: Fvigil at aol.com
Date: August 24, 2007 10:00:50 AM CDT
To: pewterersguild at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: what about cuttlebone? was RE: [pewterersguild] Opinions: Using both side...
While we're talking about cuttlebone casting, new casters should be warned of the smell.
Pewter casting into cuttlefish bone stinks - specifically a sort of dead fish stink. One casting seems to leave an unpleasant but not overwhelming stink in my small shop. Doing more than that and the smell is pretty vile and spreads through the house before too long.
My one experience casting silver into a cuttlefish mold instantly created a thicker vile stench that I thought just needed the visible cartoon cloud to go with it. I'm damn glad that was not done in my basement shop or my wife would have been "less than pleased" to have that odor fill the house.
Casting in cuttlefish is easy and really sort of fun in the quick gratification sense. But make sure you have a well ventilated area or just do it outside.
Final note: I've been told that there are different kinds of cuttlefish bone and that they have differing degrees of stench, but I can't speak to that personally as my experience is all with the stuff I can find at my local pet stores (700 miles from the nearest ocean).
Fernando
From: Chris Fuhr <instructorhasgonedigital at yahoo.com>
Date: August 24, 2007 2:35:45 PM CDT
To: pewterersguild at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: what about cuttlebone? was RE: [pewterersguild] Opinions: Using both side...
I think my prof. said that the Squid can get a parasite/mold something during the drying process one batch can have it the next not that stinks. It's harmless for the birds doesn't affect casting and too much a pain to get rid of.
The other theory was the bone wasn't dry enough.
And the theory that some species smell more than others.
----- Original Message ----
From: Anne-Marie Rousseau <dailleurs at liripipe.com>
Mark de Gaulkler has told me its stinky but he didn't tell me HOW stinky. Typical of Mark, if you know him J.
I know in my research I've seen a lot of treated cuttlebone (they flavor it for the birds, I guess?). I wonder if that makes a difference? I'm betting it does, but which way? More stinky? Less stinky? Different stinky?
Thanks for the heads-up, though! J
--AM, who doesn't mind stinky but would rather not have all her work clothes smell like squidÉ
From: Crystal Smithwick <crystal_smithwick at hotmail.com>
Date: August 24, 2007 12:44:19 PM CDT
To: pewterersguild at yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: what about cuttlebone? was RE: [pewterersguild] Opinions: Using both side...
Found this article online about cuttlebone casting
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/cuttlebone/cuttlebone.html
I also found several sites on line that sell "large" cuttlebone, the largest seems to be from 5-8 inches,
http://www.birdalog.com/index.cfm/S/46/N/254/Cuttlebone.htm
http://www.busybird.com/cuttlebone.html
Though I did find one site that purported to have 10" long cuttlebones
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_cuttlebone.mgi
I wonder how big a cuttlebone would be in one of those giant squids they keep catching off Japan? I did look, but not reported.
Kerij-e
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