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What type of metal is best for melting quickly and pouring into a clay mold?

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what type of metal is best for melting quickly and pouring into a clay mold, and what would i melt it in. I don't want to mess up my pots and pans?

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  1. Lead. Buy yourself a cheap cast iron frying pan. They make small ones for one egg. Just be sure to paint with a white magic marker a warning not to use it for food, when you are done pouring the lead into the clay mold. Also, be sure to warm the mold so the heat does not crack it. And, be prepared to move away quickly if the mold does break. Getting molten lead on your body will go right through you.


  2. probably tin. Melting point is ca 450 F.

    Next would be pewter, melting point ca 750F. Make sure you have lead free pewter.

    Stay away from lead, too toxic. lead fumes are toxic too.

    You probably could melt it in a tin can - they are actually made out of steel these days, make sure you don't use one with plastic coating on the inside. I would use a propane torch to melt. Make sure you do this outside or somewhere where spilt hot metal will not lead to a fire, good ventilation is always best too.

    I would guess you clay mold will only work if it is fired  or at least completely dry - stick into the oven for an hour (how long depends on size) at at least 220 F, so you know it's dry. Pouring hot metal on anything which still contains water is a really bad idea. The water will turn into steam very fast. This can either lead to hot metal flying into your face or in the better case very bad surface detail.

    Also before you start google for tin casting recommendations.

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