Pewter vessels, etc., are repaired by soldering. Pewterers' solder is composed of 2 parts of bismuth, 1 part of lead, and 1 part of tin. When making the alloy, melt the lead first, then add the tin and bismuth: sprinkle a little resin on the surface of the molten alloy to prevent oxidation, well stir it, and then pour the metal into an iron mould. When using the alloy, first well clean the article where it is to be soldered by shaping with a sharp knife, then rub a little tallow over the cleansed part. Melt a small knob of solder from the stick; place the knob on the part to be soldered, and, with a fine jet from a blowpipe, blow gently upon the solder until it flows over the part to be repaired and adheres to the pewter; smooth the edges of the patch of solder with a smooth file, and finish off with a burnisher.