Hey there buddy,
Ease up a bit. Pewter can be melted in a simple lead melter, no flames involved;
Manufacturer descriptions.
www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1266304892.1159=/html/catalog/melters.html
Retail vendor.
www.cabelas.com Search " Lee Pot "
Get your self a sample pound of a few pewters noticing the melting temps bearing in mind the optimum pouring temps is around 100F higher than melting temp, from;
www.rotometals.com/Pewter-Alloys-s/23.htm
And personally I like 281 low melt alloy but you may have interest in the others. Personally I am finding 281 better than pewter for my odd ball needs. It doesn't shrink like the lead free pewters as the bismuth expands as it cools counteracting the tin shrinkage;
www.rotometals.com/Low-Melting-Alloys-s/21.htm
They also carry a bottom pour ladle in various sizes. It helps to keep the dross (scum)from pouring into your work. Casting-Ladle bottom pour Rowell #1 is the one pound capacity ladle;
www.rotometals.com/Ladles-for-Casting-s/8.htm
Also be aware there are Pewter alloys that contain a little bit of silver. Just enough to give it that silver look but still melt easily.
Hallmark has a good reputation.
www.hallmarkmetals.net/metal.htm
shop.ebay.com/hallmarkmetals/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
Two other sources for white metals:
www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/SearchPage.aspx?page=GRID&category|category_root|122=Casting+Equipment+and+Supplies&category|cat_122|4530=Casting&category|cat_4530|4564=White+Metal+Casting
The MPK on this page is the same as the Hallmark listing on eBay
www.contenti.com/products/metals/176-888.html
Be prepared for an involved learning process. As you will likely have to polish your castings, or you might want to stain them etc. And getting a bubble free and or smooth casting can be a bit of a job in of its self. But once you have the hang of it, man what a cool skill!
Soap stone as a mold sounds interesting. Bear in mind there are many things to mold from. You can sculpt in anything from wax, clay, wood, etc, and then cast in RTV rubbers and cast white metals in this rubber. There are many ways to get the job done. So dabbling in this and that can be worth the effort sometimes. Here is a link to one rubber molding supplier, there are many;
www.reynoldsam.com/
Now you asked about safety equipment. It is great you are thinking along those lines. Others here would likely be more helpful but I will add a few notes.
Heavy cow hide gloves. Plastic clear face shield, leather apron. Leather work boots. Tongs to move hot molds about. Fire extinguisher close by. Even working with these 280-580F melt-able metals NEVER EVER work over carpeting. Always have a good powered vent going and or a fan at your back if working outside on a calm day. Get the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on every metal you buy before hand and read it, by law - they have to provide these in the United States. If you do not understand it, call and ask them what something means. If you can accomplish what you want with a metal that does not contain lead or cadmium or any other toxic element than endeavor to do so. The price difference is nothing in comparison to sucking lead.
I hope this helps The Bee Man.
Blobber
