StillSmart

Morning all, I have found this copper oil lamp font (Victorian) and am trying to clean it up with a view to make a 'Sputnik' Has been soaking in apple cider vinegar, citric acid but the inside is still like that infamous hole in Calcutta... any ideas ? my plan is to solder three legs on, drill many 0.5mm holes to allow the goodness to find its way into the vapour trail, any suggestions welcomed.

At this moment boiling up a citric wash with the font in it.

I would have thought that a very strong citric would do the trick. Is the hole big enough to get a stainless scrubber in?? even wrapped on say a wooden spoon??

The hole is 2 1/4'' so yes I can put a scrubber on a stick in there, the heavy stuff is like baked on bitumen which is taking some shifting. What would you say is a 'strong' solution of citric? sorry for the q's but google is not that helpful today

Icefever wrote:I would have thought that a very strong citric would do the trick. Is the hole big enough to get a stainless scrubber in?? even wrapped on say a wooden spoon??

Which bits going to be the sputnik?

I use 2 teaspoons in about 1 litre of water...you could double that I think...then hit it with a scrubber.

Icefever wrote:I use 2 teaspoons in about 1 litre of water...you could double that I think...then hit it with a scrubber.

Will try that thanks...

Seem to recall seeing some of those with some sort of coating material on the inside as some of the suggested fuels are corrosive.

Dunno if the one you've found is like that or whether it's just some sort of verdigris......

If it has any soldered joints, you just know that they will contain lead.
More soluble from there than any brass components in a modern set up.
This may not bother you, but has made me not entertain the idea of using a couple of really wicked bits of old copper work that I found.
I don't care too much for the effect upon my own health these days, but I share my good products with people that I care about.
I am not as cautious as the State of California, but I do feel a responsiblity to my friends and family.

Robert.

The top burner fitting has been unsoldered I will remove all traces of solder left behind, the two halves have a rolled joint which I will heat and see if any solder was used there, if so then it will come apart, be cleaned and resoldered, which would make cleaning the inside a whole lot easier. ..

Excellent!
Re-working pre-shaped metal should be fairly simple.

Robert

Two things strike me about this. The first is that this is going to be a mini-Sputnik, as it's not going to occupy much of the vacant space in the Airstill above your neutral. The second thing is it seems a lot of work when you can pick up a stainless colander from any supermarket for about £3. Pre-drilled holes and everything. But then, as an engineer, I always look for an easy solution! Good luck with it..

hampk wrote:Two things strike me about this. The first is that this is going to be a mini-Sputnik, as it's not going to occupy much of the vacant space in the Airstill above your neutral. The second thing is it seems a lot of work when you can pick up a stainless colander from any supermarket for about £3. Pre-drilled holes and everything. But then, as an engineer, I always look for an easy solution! Good luck with it..

I did pick one up yesterday but if I can use something that I have hung on to for years in the hope that one day I find a use for it then that has to be the way forward surely?

and mini sputnik will have about one inch clearance all round so i'm hoping that it can do its best...

My take here,is that we all approach life from a different angle.
Some of us maybe from a more time saved is an efficient one.
And some from a more "Green" and recycled one.
I will not say either is better.,it is surely a personal choice.

Robert.

and mini sputnik will have about one inch clearance all round so i'm hoping that it can do its best...

'Around' measurement is not as important as 'height'

You need to make sure it's a tight ish fit once the top is on.
Else the vapour will take the easiest path and go around it, not through it.

I used threaded rod for legs intentionally so that I could adjust to fit.

It will be worth the work

I'm on it... I have a sheet of copper somewhere I could solder a 'washer' on to make sure the vapour can only go through it, how close to the still lid is yours?

Mash wrote:

and mini sputnik will have about one inch clearance all round so i'm hoping that it can do its best...

'Around' measurement is not as important as 'height'

You need to make sure it's a tight ish fit once the top is on.
Else the vapour will take the easiest path and go around it, not through it.

I used threaded rod for legs intentionally so that I could adjust to fit.

It will be worth the work