Re: MtMan-List: Tinning/"Oakum"

[John Kramer <kramer@kramerize.com>]

Traditionally oakum was made by picking the fibers apart in old ropes.
When it
wasn't much good as a rope any more it was made into oakum.  So it was hemp. 
What you get at a plumbing or marine supplier today may be entirely different.

John...



At 08:40 AM 10/30/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Question for John or anyone else...  I read somewhere that oakum is a
leftover

>from making hemp fabric - like tow is to linen.  Is this the same stuff?
>
>
>
>> The old recipes and instructions I've seen call for using wads & swabs made
of
>> "oakum" -- it should still be available from a plumbing supply house -- if
not
>> try marine suppliers to wooden boat builders.
>>
>> John...
> 
John T. Kramer, maker of: 

Kramer's Best Antique Improver
>>>It makes wood wonderful<<<
        >>>As good as old!<<<

<http://www.kramerize.com/>

mail to: <kramer@kramerize.com>