Powder Flask restoration HELP?

[Curtis Lee]

Does anyone have an idea how I might re-solder this powder flask?
I don't really need it.Just thought it would be fun to fix it. BTW I am a fair tinkerer but not much of a A Tinker.

 

[Sam squanch]

I’m afraid that’s a job for a professional. Is that an original?

 

[Curtis Lee]

I agree!I doubt it is an original. As I remember it was an EBAY find for like $10.00 years ago.

 

[Eutycus]

Isn't that the one known as the "Friendship" flask?

 

[2 shots]

im waiting for someone to say j-b weld.

 

[Eutycus]

im waiting for someone to say j-b weld.

Okay, I'll say it..J.B.Weld

 

[2 shots]

 

[SDSmlf]

Does anyone have an idea how I might re-solder this powder flask?
I don't really need it.Just thought it would be fun to fix it. BTW I am a fair tinkerer but not much of a A Tinker.View attachment 300968View attachment 300969

Did this flask just ‘fall apart’ or is the disassembly the result of an attempted solder repair?

 

[Celt5494]

im waiting for someone to say j-b weld.

I was just going to post that until I saw your post. I love JB Weld, if that can fix sumpthin ain't nuthin gonna fix it.

 

[Eutycus]

I was just going to post that until I saw your post. I love JB Weld, if that can fix sumpthin ain't nuthin gonna fix it.

One can almost perform miracles with JB Weld or Duct Tape.

 

[Curtis Lee]

Did this flask just ‘fall apart’ or is the disassembly the result of an attempted solder repair?

DING DING DING, We have a winner. When I Got it it had a leak, SO I tried to solder it and it got worse.

 

[Rebel bull]

I also have one that has split the seam and needs to be resoldered I just wish mine was completely split like yours. Then I would solder a lip to the one side with a hard solder then fit the two sides together, tin them, and then sweat the two half's together with soft solder. As a professional jeweler, welder and machinist a soft soldered butt joint is the worst joint ever

 

[Curtis Lee]

Isn't that the one known as the "Friendship" flask?

After a short search it appears to one sold by TOW.Here is a quote from Track of Wolf."

"Our U. S. Model 1855 "Peace" flask was issued for use with rifled muskets. Sometimes called a "Zouave" flask, it holds 12 ounces of powder,"

 

[Curtis Lee]

I also have one that has split the seam and needs to be resoldered I just wish mine was completely split like yours. Then I would solder a lip to the one side with a hard solder then fit the two sides together, tin them, and then sweat the two half's together with soft solder. As a professional jeweler, welder and machinist a soft soldered butt joint is the worst joint ever

Well all you have to do is heat it up with propane torch and it will pop apart. Ask how I know!LOL.

 

[Colonial Boy]

I agree that a butt joint on thin copper is the worst choice using soft solder, but a good joint will last, witness many old flasks.
When I’ve had to repair flasks that were coming unstuck I always opted for pulling them completely apart [unless they’re leather covered, then it’s epoxy glue and hope].

My method is to clean up both halves, remove all dings and dents, then put a sheet of new emery paper on my old surface plate and gently rub both faces flat, test until they touch all around.
Emery the inside clean for at least 1/4 inch then tin with 50/50 solder.
Check the fit again then hold them together with string or rubber bands in three places.
Using a Soldering Iron introduce heat and some solder.
If all goes well the joint will run together as the iron advances and you end up with a continuous and strong enough job.
NEVER use a gas torch, stick with the old time way.

Having said that I have an original Hawksley iron [steel?] flask that was electrically welded in manufacture.

 

[andy52]

I've repaired a couple of originals using a small soldering pencil, I'm thinking the hardest part would be keeping the two pieces aligned.

 

[Eutycus]

After a short search it appears to one sold by TOW.Here is a quote from Track of Wolf."

"Our U. S. Model 1855 "Peace" flask was issued for use with rifled muskets. Sometimes called a "Zouave" flask, it holds 12 ounces of powder,"

Oops, sorry I got the word "Friendship" mixed up with "Peace", but I was close!

 

[Eutycus]

I have one just like it and am in the process of digging through my box of old small bolts to replace the three at the top. I have found some that seem to fit but aren't the originals (on the reproductions) metric?

 

[Curtis Lee]

I agree that a butt joint on thin copper is the worst choice using soft solder, but a good joint will last, witness many old flasks.
When I’ve had to repair flasks that were coming unstuck I always opted for pulling them completely apart [unless they’re leather covered, then it’s epoxy glue and hope].

My method is to clean up both halves, remove all dings and dents, then put a sheet of new emery paper on my old surface plate and gently rub both faces flat, test until they touch all around.
Emery the inside clean for at least 1/4 inch then tin with 50/50 solder.
Check the fit again then hold them together with string or rubber bands in three places.
Using a Soldering Iron introduce heat and some solder.
If all goes well the joint will run together as the iron advances and you end up with a continuous and strong enough job.
NEVER use a gas torch, stick with the old time way.

Having said that I have an original Hawksley iron [steel?] flask that was electrically welded in manufacture.

THX Colonial Boy for the reply. I have tried to wire/wrap the halves with small ga. wire. But I think my problems where the halves are not true to each other and I used a small butane pen torch instead of soldering iron. I will give your guidelines a try before going the JB weld method.

 

[Jay Templin]

Well all you have to do is heat it up with propane torch and it will pop apart. Ask how I know!LOL.

It’ll pop a lot faster if you leave some powder in it while you’re torching it!
Jay