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About
Tinsmithing |
History
The
first tinshop in Colonial America was opened in 1740 when the
Patterson brothers, William & Andrew emigrated from Ireland and
set up for business in Berlin, CT. They made tin cups, pie pans,
milk pails, and different size pots. After their first year, they
hired tin peddlers to travel down the East Coast with horse drawn
carts loaded with their shiny "poor man's silver".
Early American housewives loved the tinware. It was
light, unbreakable, easy to clean and cheap. The tinplate was
imported from England where it was made of sheet iron that had been
dipped in molten tin and run through rollers to create a flat sheet
approx. 2 feet square.
Today's tinplate is
steel electro-plated with a tin coating. |
| Glynn's Tinware has taken this
metal to a new level by creating a look of old pewter. This unique
process requires many steps to achieve this special patina and once
created it is treated with two coats of a special lacquer to create
a soft luster and prevent rusting. |
Tools
In
1740, a typical set of tinner's tools consisted of a large bench
shear, several smaller hand shears, steel and leather hammers,
shaping anvils or stakes, and a soldering iron
Glynn's Tinware has a collection of these
antique tools and still uses them today in recreating the lanterns,
sconces and chandeliers of the Colonial Period. | |
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