Broken tap removal Alum method

[Maryak]

This is a great awakening to how global we are. No good old Southern gal would even think of putting away some nice crispy homemade pickles without being able to put her hands on some alum. It was also used, for shall we say, some very homemade uses in the days of saloons and brothels during the rush of the Great Gold Rush in the land of fruits and nuts. Great stuff apparently.

Whiskey

In whiskeys defence, I'm sure it came from education rather than participation.

Best Regards
Bob

[PJW]

I got some alum from flebay, I had it a couple of weeks so it was time to try it. I made a strong solution in a cup then dug out the electric slow cooker then stood the cup containing the solution of alum with the offending alloy manifold with broken tap, I then surounded the cup with boiling water and turned on the slow cooker. I took about 3 hours or more to desolve the tap but it did, a bit to my suprise & joy.  :thumbup:
I have a lot of alum left, lets hope I don't need it!

[sshire]

Was the tap HSS or carbon steel?

[PJW]

I think it was carbon, but if I am wrong I will come back to you on it.