Who is the craftsperson I need?

March 21, 2021 9:23 AM

I have a vintage (probably 1940s-1960s) Turkish brass samovar, except someone has made it into a lamp. To do that, they drilled a hole in the top and bottom and threaded the lamp parts through. I'd like to have it turned back into a samovar that I could use to make tea. Can this be done? Who specifically can do it? Links to specific craftspeople who do this kind of metalwork desired.
posted by shadygrove to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

Best answer: If you're anywhere near Memphis, Tennessee I would suggest taking it to Repair Days at the Memphis Metal Museum, which will likely be in October. This is exactly the kind of thing they do.

If you're elsewhere in the US the museum may be able to suggest someone near you, since metalsmiths from all over the country come to Repair Days.
posted by jedicus at 9:42 AM on March 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I’d have some concern about safety. Is the interior lined with tin?
posted by slkinsey at 10:00 AM on March 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

Pursuant to the remark above, as an aside, test for lead before you use this; brass may contain lead.
posted by aramaic at 10:55 AM on March 21, 2021 [6 favorites]

In times past, you'd ask for a tinker. But most competent jeweller should be able to make those kind of repairs, including making a matching patch and using lead-free solder. Of course finding a jeweller who wants to do so, and won't charge stupid money, might be more of a challenge.
posted by seanmpuckett at 11:54 AM on March 21, 2021

I'd like to see a picture. I assume that the hole is through a single thickness of metal. If it's two, you'll need to either find a metalsmith or dismantle it.
We have a big canning pot, purchased used, and quite old. The enamel was chipped in one area and it had rusted through. I took a small nut and bolt and put them on either side of the hole and tightened them down. I had to clean up the area and make sure it was flat. This is the standard method, and you used to be able to get a nut, bolt and washer set in hardware stores specifically for fixing holes in coffee pots.
I assume you want something nice, so you should look for a decorative bolt for the top. The bottom one is, I assume, less visible, but will also require a more perfect seal. This may take a couple of tries. I used rubber washers on ours, but this is not an option if you're making something in it that can't taste of rubber.
If you want this to last for the ages - and I probably would - I'd look into a professional repair, with lead-free solder or brazing. It may be expensive, but that's a relative term.
The question of lead is difficult. It's not likely that it's made from leaded brass, but it is worth getting checked out, because tea is acidic and will leech lead out of the metal, if there is any. I don't think a lead test is that expensive.
It's possible that a restaurant supply store can put you onto someone who can do this. The people who sell espresso machines must be able to service them, so they'd be a good place to start.
posted by AugustusCrunch at 12:46 PM on March 21, 2021

Response by poster: Yes, I'm looking for a professional to do this -- this is not a DIY job in any sense of the word. Hence the request for artisans. Thanks!
posted by shadygrove at 4:00 PM on March 21, 2021

If soldering is involved, there are some silver bearing lead free solders that have a pretty high copper content. This will make the solder sort of brass colored rather than white/silver. Probably looking at someplace that sells silver solder to the jewelry trade.
posted by rudd135 at 6:26 PM on March 21, 2021

Addendum, I'd avoid that Memphis Metal Museum. Using steel wool on a bronze piece to apply a polish that most likely contains ammonia? Ammonia encourages tarnishing, and the steel chips could embed in the softer bronze, which would then create some interesting rust spot patterns. Plus it is just too abrasive since it it harder than the parent metal.
posted by rudd135 at 6:30 PM on March 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

Seconding the suggestion of jewellers. You're looking for the people who make their own pieces, not jewellry stores, or companies specialising in expensive repair of priceless heirlooms. A lot of individual jewellers sell directly on etsy and similar platforms these days - see if there's someone local to you who works in metal.

Although there are many different styles and disciplines, anyone who makes metal pieces will be used to forming metal into shape at small scale, brazing or welding pieces together with solders/fillers that suit the materials, and making a neat finish.

Ask around people you know - there's a good chance you can find someone who knows someone. If you were local to me I'd point you at a workshop down the road, but you seem to be on the other side of the pond.
posted by automatronic at 7:08 PM on March 21, 2021

I'd avoid that Memphis Metal Museum. Using steel wool on a bronze piece to apply a polish that most likely contains ammonia? Ammonia encourages tarnishing, and the steel chips could embed in the softer bronze, which would then create some interesting rust spot patterns. Plus it is just too abrasive since it it harder than the parent metal.

0000 steel wool and Wright's brass polish (which does contain ammonia but is rinsed off after application) are recommend by "Teri Hartman, manager of Liz’s Antique Hardware in Los Angeles, and Carl Sorenson, founder of Nanz, a New York company that produces custom-made solid-brass hardware", as described in this article on brass cleaning in Architectural Digest.

Coarse steel wool is, of course, not recommended.
posted by jedicus at 8:11 AM on March 23, 2021