Andrew Butt

Solidus is a unique system of circular craft that lets people make metal objects easily. A hand-held tool pushes out a fine stream of molten pewter, controlled by the crafter to form an object. A recovery mould makes it simple to recycle practice pieces.

Metal is difficult to work with: you need high temperatures, strong tools, special equipment. But the weight, the shine, the solid-ness of metal means it’s satisfying to make things from. Solidus removes the barriers stopping more amateur and small-scale craftspeople from using metal.

Since the Arts and Crafts movement, a key part of craft’s value has been in providing an alternative. An alternative, then, to the mechanisation and urbanisation of the industrial revolution. An alternative, now, to a culture of throwaway consumerism and mass production. Solidus builds on this, integrating the concept of circularity into craft.

The tool miniaturises a melting furnace into your hand, and gives you precise control of the flow of liquid pewter. Carefully calibrated temperature regulation and well-designed insulation keep it safe and comfortable during use. The recovery mould lets you recycle unwanted practice pieces, melting them on a stovetop before casting them into rods to feed in to the tool.