Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: Groundhog on April 26, 2008, 07:38:45 AM

Title: Re-Tinnin'
Post by: Groundhog on April 26, 2008, 07:38:45 AM

Hello all again ...  anybody ever get a copper cup re-tinned ?
Found a fella in Jersey that does it for 4 dollars an inch
... that be way too much.
Might just do it myself... but use silver ???
any input ... let me know ?

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Post by: Three Hawks on June 23, 2008, 04:32:48 AM

Unless I'm mistaken (again) the melting point of silver is hotter than the melting point of copper.

Tinning copper is not difficult.  A large hardware store should have either pure tin bars or a lead free solder consisting of about 94-96 % tin and 4-6% silver.   You can heat the vessel to be tinned with a propane torch, then simply apply the tin, spreading it with a clean cotton pad held in a pair of pliers.  

I have a HBCo replica 1 qt kettle that leaked when I got it and was quite rough inside.  I retinned it that way, smoothing the inside as well as stopping the leak.  

Three Hawks

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Post by: Groundhog on June 23, 2008, 09:11:01 AM

Thanks alot Three Hawks ... only took almost 2 months for an answer.
   Got my old favorite cup in neeed of a small face-lift.   and a few camp skillets .
Thanks agin'

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Post by: LightSeeker on June 23, 2008, 10:04:51 AM

GroundHog,
   Let me know how it works, got a small copper pot  that I picked up at a yard sale which is still usable but could use a little touch up.

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Post by: Groundhog on June 23, 2008, 10:27:55 AM

Now I be the TMA test animal... mmmmmm.
ok      ...does it come wiff a paycheck?
lol

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Post by: Groundhog on June 23, 2008, 10:53:18 AM

Pure silver melts about 1760 degrees F.
                       copper    1980 degrees F.
                       lead around 620 F.
if the silver has tin or other metals in it , it will start moving and melting at a much lower temp.    
Honestly I am just scared of messin up my favorite cup... got a brand new copper cup.
... butt' there is nothin like an old friend.

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Post by: Three Hawks on June 23, 2008, 11:43:29 AM

Quote from: "Groundhog"

Thanks alot Three Hawks ... only took almost 2 months for an answer.
   Got my old favorite cup in neeed of a small face-lift.   and a few camp skillets .
Thanks agin'

Sorry for the delay, I'd have answered quicker, but I only joined TMA a couple of weeks ago  :shake

Three Hawks

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Post by: Groundhog on June 23, 2008, 11:46:04 AM

Yup but I must say ... sure nice havin you around Three Hawks ...
lol

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Post by: LightSeeker on June 23, 2008, 11:55:02 AM

Groundhog,
  Your pay is all the grass you can eat....

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Post by: jasontn on June 23, 2008, 01:44:14 PM

be nice to find out if you can fix it, i see some things at sales that could be fixed and used only i dont know how to do it. see some stuff too that could be tinned and used too.

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Post by: Mike Ameling on June 23, 2008, 07:13:51 PM

Over on the Northwest Journal's web site they have an article about making your own copper pot/kettle, and then tinning it.  It might have some more info for you.


http://www.northwestjournal.ca/

The Northwest Journal is the Canadian Library's quarterly for their school system.  It used to be published, but is now online.  And they are slowly scanning in prior articles so they are also available.  Check it out.  Lots of good info there.

Mikey - yee ol' grumpy German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands

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Post by: LightSeeker on June 24, 2008, 08:39:51 PM

Thanks Mike- that will come in very handy.

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Post by: Lady of the Woods on June 24, 2008, 11:05:04 PM

I asked a coppersmith about retinning a pot of mine and he said it just wasn't worth his time, don't know what his time is worth, but it was a $150 pot so I was a bit disappointed. good luck with yer old friend.
Z

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Post by: Sir Michael on June 25, 2008, 12:06:53 AM

Why not give it a try your self? :lol:

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Post by: Groundhog on June 25, 2008, 12:26:17 AM

Going to ... what had me stumped was talkin o the owner of Cobb Creek ... he tins the copper then puts it together.
I be more than fair with a torch ... sure ain't gonna practice on mee favorite cup ... got a few ole skillets that need done.
  Less the LADY wants me to tin de pot.
lol

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Post by: Lady of the Woods on June 25, 2008, 08:49:14 AM

Not MY pot!
LOL
Z

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Post by: Groundhog on June 25, 2008, 10:03:30 AM

Guardin her cookware ... bet more than one groundhog been stewed in it ...
lol