FrontierFolk.net

cactusmac · Joined: 17 Jul 2010 Posts: 5

I recently purchased a wooden canteen (new) and found that it leaks. It started leaking the first time I filled it. I understand that wooden canteens need to have water in them at all times, so that wasn't the issue.
Does anyone have techniques for sealing these? I have plenty of beeswax at home as a friend suggested.

raldridge · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:11 am Post subject:

fill it full of water and put it IN a big bucket of water, leave it UNDER water for 3 or 4 days, it 'should' swell and seal up..
_________________
God is Light. and in Him there is no darkness at all.

RMNR in MT. 2011, see ya'all there...

cactusmac · Joined: 17 Jul 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks,
If I see a noticeable gap now is it OK to put a little beeswax there and then fill it up and submerse it in water?

qcpidoc · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 334 Location: Georgia

If you're not itching to use it this weekend, I'd see how much swells shut with the soaking, you'd be surprised how big a crack or gap can close. Ever been in an old barn where you can see the stars thru the shingles and when it rains, close up tight and not see a drop get in.

cactusmac · Joined: 17 Jul 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks to both of you. This really helps. If the canteen seals after soaking, I know I'll have to keep water in it at all times. This should suffice, right?

Okwaho · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:25 am Post subject:

One old fashioned remedy was to pour some corn meal in the canteen and as the water drained out it took the meal with it and the meal served as caulking. I agree with the soaking with water to allow the wood to expand. I assume the canteen was made of soft pine which has more propensity to swell.I have a wooden tankard; Neumann and Kravic, "Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution" P.104 which I occasionally use and that is what I do.
Tom Patton.
_________________
The French always make good allies for Indians

Bill Payson · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 177 Location: LEE,NH

In my biased opinion , Cheese-box canteens are far superior,,,Bill Payson

PAUL C. DAIUTE · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:00 pm Post subject:

I have an oak staved canteen and keep it full of water with ginger and a little rum . I dump the standing water prior to use and fill the canteen up with fresh water. You could have a space between staves the width of a dime and it should swell up nice and tight when soaked. Paul

depot7254 · Joined: 24 Oct 2009 Posts: 256 Location: NY Hudson's River

I agree with Paul, my wooden canteen is always filled and dumped before events. I 've never tried the ginger and rum though. Anything with rum is better in my humble opinion though. I've used brewer's pitch ( the more yellow kind) to line all my canteens. I never get a bad taste and they never ( so far) leak.

Yours &c,
_________________
Chris
ALRA#258
5th NY- Amer Rev
Verplank's Coy-NY Prov-F+I

trent/OH · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 554 Location: Southwest Ohio

PAUL C. DAIUTE · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject:

Trent, Yes, the ginger is to keep the canteen fresh and the rum to keep the canteen sterile. Mass Bay colony issued 2 ozs of ginger a week to its soldiers in the 1750s. Paul

goon · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 110 Location: PA

Paul - thank you. I didn't know that about the ginger.

PAUL C. DAIUTE · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:45 am Post subject: Not to be trusted!!!!!

To All. I have lied about dumping the standin water from my canteen. I would never dump anything with rum in it unless it went across my lips. Gulpers to all, me first though. Pual Very Happy

Matt Nelson · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:21 am Post subject:

If you have a gap that won't swell shut you can sometimes insert some pith or similar substance like from a cattail between the staves. That usually will help seal the joints between them.. I am not a fan of beeswax or brewers pitch for canteens/barrels because if properly made they shouldn't leak to begin with and if anything they interfere withthe natural swelling of the wood.

For storage between events I usually keep barrels etc filled with cheap rum or whisky. I used to use water with baking soda or something similar in it which does work but sometimes can go bad. A cheap bottle of bar rum worked better IMHO.
_________________
Matt Nelson
Homer: "Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!"

Daniel Claus' Rangers & Indian Department
http://clausrangers.org

60th RAR Light Infantry
http://www.60thrar.org/

depot7254 · Joined: 24 Oct 2009 Posts: 256 Location: NY Hudson's River

Paul,

Just wanted to let you know rum and ginger went in canteen today. And I agree there's no dumping rum!

Yours&c,
_________________
Chris
ALRA#258
5th NY- Amer Rev
Verplank's Coy-NY Prov-F+I