|
|
Post by armando on Mar 27, 2020 17:30:59 GMT -7
Purchased a used wooden canteen. Seem gently used but when I filled her up, she was leaking from the boottom.
What is the correct way to seal one of these up? Tar pitch? (wouldn't even know where to start with that one)
|
|
Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
|
Post by Keith on Mar 27, 2020 17:56:26 GMT -7
Purchased a used wooden canteen. Seem gently used but when I filled her up, she was leaking from the boottom. What is the correct way to seal one of these up? Tar pitch? (wouldn't even know where to start with that one) You should be able to just fill the canteen & leave it soaking in a water butt or creek. This will swell the wood & seal the canteen.  Keith. |
|
|
|
Post by spence on Mar 27, 2020 17:57:34 GMT -7
Sometimes wooden canteens will leak just because they have dried out and the wood has shrunk. You might try submerging it for a day or so to see if that's the problem.
Spence
|
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Mar 28, 2020 3:01:21 GMT -7
Purchased a used wooden canteen. Seem gently used but when I filled her up, she was leaking from the boottom. What is the correct way to seal one of these up? Tar pitch? (wouldn't even know where to start with that one) Be patient. Keith and Spence are absolutely correct. Wood will seal itself as it swells from being wet. Been the case with wooden canteens for 100's of years! |
|
|
|
Post by armando on Mar 29, 2020 5:35:24 GMT -7
How long to leave submerged and full to get the full swelling and sealing effect?
|
|
|
|
Post by paranger on Mar 29, 2020 5:40:33 GMT -7
How long to leave submerged and full to get the full swelling and sealing effect? I don't know, but you have inspired me to pull an old one off the shelf and submerge it. I am at about 16 hours and counting. Maybe we can compare notes... |
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on Mar 29, 2020 6:35:15 GMT -7
How long to leave submerged and full to get the full swelling and sealing effect? Until it stops leaking....  |
|
|
|
Post by paranger on Mar 29, 2020 11:21:07 GMT -7
I don't know, but you have inspired me to pull an old one off the shelf and submerge it. I am at about 16 hours and counting. Maybe we can compare notes...[/quote]
Update: 24 hours and counting. Leaking has slowed substantially (from a steady stream to a drop every 5 sec or so). Still soaking.
|
|
|
|
Post by armando on Mar 29, 2020 14:03:55 GMT -7
I'm at 24hrs as well (maybe longer) and it is still leaking but much slower. Will check it again tomorrow around this time and see what 36hrs does.
I noticed the leaking might be around these very tiny tacks the previous owner used to attach a canvas strap. I'm wondering if I might have to do something extra to that area....?
|
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on Mar 29, 2020 14:14:08 GMT -7
You could pull the tacks and glue in wood plugs (toothpicks). Might need to be done when dry...
|
|
|
|
Post by artificer on Apr 1, 2020 0:40:28 GMT -7
I'm at 24hrs as well (maybe longer) and it is still leaking but much slower. Will check it again tomorrow around this time and see what 36hrs does. I noticed the leaking might be around these very tiny tacks the previous owner used to attach a canvas strap. I'm wondering if I might have to do something extra to that area....? Armando, During the 18th century, they used leather gaskets impregnated with wax or natural grease to seal up sections of Leather fire hose pipes and other things. I might suggest just pulling the tacks after the canteen dries, put the tack through the canvas strap, put a dab of clear epoxy around the nail near the underside of the canvas strap and then finish tapping the nail in place. Or you could do the same thing with a heated dab of beeswax instead of the epoxy, if you wish. Gus |
|
|
|
Post by paranger on Apr 1, 2020 13:02:44 GMT -7
I am over 72 hrs now (I think?). Leak has slowed to a slow drip, but not completely stopped as yet. Of note, if I plug the spout with my finger, the drip slows noticeably due to the vacuum created. Note to self: perhaps a tight fitting stopper is even more important than I previously realized.
My plan at this point is to continue soaking for a full week, then dry the exterior completely to isolate the source of any remaining leak(s), repairing if feasible. If that works, I will store full of water with baking soda (anti-bacterial) and re-inspect periodically.
|
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on Apr 1, 2020 17:03:35 GMT -7
You may wish to research if a basic solution (baking soda in water is basic) will affect the wood fibers (lignin). I have a vague recollection it might soften or dissolve...
|
|
|
|
Post by paranger on Apr 1, 2020 17:09:28 GMT -7
You may wish to research if a basic solution (baking soda in water is basic) will affect the wood fibers (lignin). I have a vague recollection it might soften or dissolve... Hmmm....interesting. Think I know just who to ask. |
|
Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
|
Post by Keith on Apr 1, 2020 17:31:16 GMT -7
I would not recommend using glue, most modern glues are NOT food safe. To plug a hole simply use a wood plug & let it swell to seal. I always found this type of water bottle to be the heaviest out of all period water bottles except ceramic & glass bottles. That is why I am going to use a bottle gourd.
Keith.
|
|
