Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

[rbruno]

Looking for a possible solution to a leaky canteen. I recently picked up a Sam Doolin wooden canteen from a friend. The problem is he hadn't used it for a long time and when I filled it with water, it leaked in several places. It has been soaking over night to see if the wood will expand a bit and the leaks have slowed down. I also tried to drip some wax in on of the larger splits between the sides of the canteen. It doesn't appear that any of the wood pieces have split, the joints have just opened up a bit. Is it too late to save this very nice canteen or does anyone have any solutions to the problem?

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Rob-

It may take 24-48 hours for it to swell up to the point it is water tight again. If you don't have any wood splits you should be okay. After 48 hours if it is still leaking than it may have an issue.

I would expect that it will bounce back and do good service for you. The larger issue will be keeping it swelled so you can use it. Always an issue with wood. Stating the obvious here but remember to rotate the water frequently to keep it fresh and safe for drinking.

[rbruno]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Thanks Louis, I will just let it keep soaking. At this point that might be all I can do to see if it closes the gaps. If it does, it might just need a couple good soakings before I use it at an event.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Rob,

When I bought my Doolin I spoke to Sam direct (although I did not buy it from him) for suggestions. He said that if the canteen has been dry for a while it could take several days to soak and swell. Another great idea that worked well was to put very hot water in it. The heat expands the fibers even further and allows more locations for absorbing. It took about a week before I had absolutely no dripping whatsoever. It has not be dry since.

regards,
Mark

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Rob,
I keep water in my canteen all the time . I let it go dry one time and it did the same thing you are going through . I put it in the sink and filled the sink with water and let it sit until it held water.

I rinse the old water out before using it at a event.

[rbruno]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Mark,
I never thought about the hot water. We are going on day two of filling the canteen and just letting in sit and it is getting better.
Jerry,
I think I am going to try filling the sink and setting it down in the water. So far I have just filled it and let the wood swell from the inside. I like the sink idea to help the outside swell as well.

Thanks all,

[rbruno]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Ok, Canteen has been soaking and soaking and soaking.... I soaked it for about two days in the sink like Jerry suggested and it seemed to hold for about 24 hours, then started to leak. I kept it filled, but as it leaked down, the leaks at the top stayed dry longer then the bottom leaks so I was basically chasing the leak around the canteen. I have the thing soaking again in the sink and I might just leave it in for as long as I don't need the the other side of my sink and see what happens. I have put hot water in the sink and added boiling water to it at times to keep in warm. Has anyone sent a canteen back to Sam to be repaired? Is that even an option given how it is made?
Thanks,

[kaelin]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Rob,
To free up that other sink so you can earn all those kitchen passes, grab one of your water buckets from the barn. Plop your canteen in there full of water and let it soak for a while, or at least it is holding water.

Sam has an account on here doesn't he?

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Rob,
I just found my canteen dry. Over the months of not using it the water evaporated. I am now going through the process again too. Keep soaking.I don't know the makers .

[rbruno]

Re: Leaking SD Wooden Canteen

Thanks all. I will look to see if he has a contact here. I will see how long it takes to swell up.