Soldering Tool

Accession Number1986.008.0648

VesselNuestra Señora de Atocha (1622)

Datecirca 1620

DescriptionA copper, hammerhead-like device from the galleon Atocha was used for soldering. Copper has higher thermal conductivity than most metals, meaning that it readily absorbs heat from areas of high temperature and moves it toward areas of lower temperature. This copper soldering head was heated with a flame and then held against lead or tin to melt these softer metals so they would flow between two or more objects and act as an adhesive. This Atocha soldering head was likely mounted on an iron shaft, which would not have been affected by flame, and held with a wooden handle, which would have insulated the user’s hand from the heat.