# How to repair pinhole leak in a metal hip flask? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 7, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036 "2011-05-07T01:21:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/1 "2011-05-07T01:21:41Z")
I have a stainless steel [hip flask](http://www.dnkstyle.com/images/hip%20flask.jpg) that I got a long time ago and had to stop using because it eventually developed a pinhole leak on the seam at the bottom. I know these things are cheap and I could easily just buy another one but I like this one. I’m pretty sure I can’t just solder it; drinking lead is generally not a good idea. How do I fix this? ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/2 "2011-05-07T01:26:47Z")
Find some silver solder with some combination of the following: tin, silver, copper, and bismuth. They’re all non-toxic. Or just ask for plumbing solder- lead’s been forbidden in it for some time now. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/3 "2011-05-07T02:05:16Z")
solder probably won’t hold. You could hit it with a tig weld or something but overall you’re looking at a lost cause. They are simply to thin to repair, you have nothing to work with. Personally electrical tape, while that holds start looking for a new one ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/4 "2011-05-07T02:08:35Z")
How about just cramming it with some plastic and epoxy? ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/5 "2011-05-07T03:21:30Z")
Melted paraffin wax? ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/6 "2011-05-07T03:32:45Z")
Asphalt was commonly used to patch up leaky vessels when it was first discovered by… whoever discovered it. When heated it becomes molten and flows into cracks and holes, tightly plugging them. However, being a petroleum product it might be contraindicated for use inside the flask. Maybe on the outside? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/7 "2011-05-07T03:43:04Z")
[JB Weld](http://jbweld.net/index.php). It’s an epoxy that dries so hard that you can machine it. A thin layer over the hole will solve your problem. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/8 "2011-05-07T03:46:46Z")
I’ve used J-B Weld many times to fix metal. Home Depot sells it. here’s another idea. Since it’s for pipes it should be non-toxic. Bonds to practically any metal. [http://www.atlasmin.com/products/epoxybond/household\_repair.asp](http://www.atlasmin.com/products/epoxybond/household_repair.asp) > [@](#): > > Plumber Seal Epoxy Putty > > Color: Steel (2.5 oz. Package) > > Typical Applications: > > ``` > * Repair pipes, tubs, tanks, fittings, fixtures > * Bond tile & fixtures > * Secure hooks > * Seal cracks in metal, concrete, terra-cotta, plaster > * Stop leaks in pipes & tanks > * Bonds to steel, aluminum, copper, brass, plaster, brick, concrete, wood, ceramics, damp surfaces > * Simple 1-to-1 mix…Cut - Mix - Fix > * Will not shrink or sag > * Cures hard enough to drill, saw, tap, file, sand, paint > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Wheeljack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/9 "2011-05-07T04:13:38Z")
Ethanol breaks down JB Weld. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/10 "2011-05-07T04:37:51Z")
How about some silicon sealer? Not sure if it sticks to metal though. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-repair-pinhole-leak-in-a-metal-hip-flask/581036/11 "2011-05-07T05:15:41Z")
Depending on how big the pinhole is, you might get a jeweler to electroplate it closed.