What is this thing?
October 4, 2024 1:38 PM Subscribe
I think it is a metal working tool. The thick part is copper, the rod part is steel (or at least ferro-magnetic)
I bought this for $3 just cause I liked it. Not that a care, but is it one of those old things that loses value if it is cleaned? I'd really like to see the shiny copper
I bought this for $3 just cause I liked it. Not that a care, but is it one of those old things that loses value if it is cleaned? I'd really like to see the shiny copper
Response by poster: Ah, its missing a wood handle.
Here is a video showing how it goes on a torch
posted by falsedmitri at 1:41 PM on October 4, 2024
Here is a video showing how it goes on a torch
posted by falsedmitri at 1:41 PM on October 4, 2024
I doubt it has much collectible value, cleaned or not. CAUTION: Lead.
posted by H21 at 2:46 PM on October 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by H21 at 2:46 PM on October 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
Soldering iron. You heat it in an oven-like dingus then use the stored heat to melt the solder. We used them in metal shop in 7th grade in … 1970. Boy, I’m old.
As for “danger lead!” … yeah, whatever. Don’t use it as a pacifier for the grandkid.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:06 PM on October 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
As for “danger lead!” … yeah, whatever. Don’t use it as a pacifier for the grandkid.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:06 PM on October 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
As for “danger lead!” … yeah, whatever. Don’t use it as a pacifier for the grandkid.
I mean, "wash your hands after handling it" is more like it
posted by pullayup at 7:43 PM on October 4, 2024
I mean, "wash your hands after handling it" is more like it
posted by pullayup at 7:43 PM on October 4, 2024
You heat it in an oven-like dingus
My dad heated his on a hand-pumped kerosene blow lamp that had a designed-in stand for putting the head of the soldering iron right where the whole flame would surround it.
posted by flabdablet at 4:18 PM on October 5, 2024
My dad heated his on a hand-pumped kerosene blow lamp that had a designed-in stand for putting the head of the soldering iron right where the whole flame would surround it.
posted by flabdablet at 4:18 PM on October 5, 2024
This YouTube video shows the use of similar equipment:
Soldering With Blowtorch & Copper ~ By Old Sneelock's Workshop
One trick the presenter misses, possibly because he's using his iron to do fairly small work instead of soldering something like guttering that soaks the heat up faster, is waiting for the blowtorch flame to start showing a green tinge which it will do once the copper head of the soldering iron gets hot enough.
The startup process for the blowtorch brings back memories though. This guy seems to be running his on white spirit (camp stove fuel) and using the same fuel to start it. Dad ran his on kerosene and used methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) in the startup pan to get it going.
posted by flabdablet at 4:35 PM on October 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Soldering With Blowtorch & Copper ~ By Old Sneelock's Workshop
One trick the presenter misses, possibly because he's using his iron to do fairly small work instead of soldering something like guttering that soaks the heat up faster, is waiting for the blowtorch flame to start showing a green tinge which it will do once the copper head of the soldering iron gets hot enough.
The startup process for the blowtorch brings back memories though. This guy seems to be running his on white spirit (camp stove fuel) and using the same fuel to start it. Dad ran his on kerosene and used methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) in the startup pan to get it going.
posted by flabdablet at 4:35 PM on October 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by aramaic at 1:39 PM on October 4, 2024 [2 favorites]