# Buypeetal — World Metalcraft & Traditional Peetal Directory

> Buypeetal is an open metallurgical reference directory and buyer procurement guide for traditional copper-alloy metalcraft (peetal/brass, kansa/bell metal, and tamba/copper). Published by Vedic Hearth under CC BY-NC 4.0.

## Core Reference Pages

- [Craft Directory Hub](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/): Curated directory of 120 historic metalcraft clusters across 45+ countries and six continents, featuring interactive alloy testing and vessel weight tools.
- [How to Source Peetal Manual](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/sourcing-guide/): Engineering and craft procurement manual covering brass metallurgy (60/40 vs 70/30), hand-hammering (thapai) vs machine-spinning, culinary rules for kalai (pure tin lining), and workshop inspection questions.
- [Sources & Verification Policy](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/sources/): Full bibliography of accredited government gazetteers, UNESCO inscriptions, ODOP records, and Geographical Indication registries.
- [Directory Embed Badge](https://buypeetal.com/badges/): Embeddable SVG badge and guidelines for workshops, guilds, and research institutions.
- [RSS 2.0 Feed](https://buypeetal.com/feed.xml): Automated feed of all 120 global cluster guides.
- [Full Directory Data (JSON)](https://buypeetal.com/data/directory-export.json): Complete machine-readable dataset of all 120 clusters.
- [Sourcing Matrix (CSV)](https://buypeetal.com/data/directory-export.csv): Tabular procurement matrix covering locations, materials, techniques, and citations.

## Key Metallurgical & Culinary Rules

1. **Alloy Definitions**:
   - Peetal (Brass): Copper + Zinc alloy (traditionally 60/40 or 70/30).
   - Kansa / Bell Metal: Copper + Tin bronze alloy (traditionally ~78% Cu, ~22% Sn). Resonant, brittle, naturally safe for dining.
   - Tamba: Pure copper (99%+ Cu). Highly reactive with acidic food.
   - Panchaloha / Panchadhatu: Sacred five-metal bronze used exclusively for temple icons (murti casting), never for cooking.

2. **Kalai (Pure Virgin Tin Lining)**:
   - Mandatory for all brass and copper vessels used with acidic foods (tomatoes, tamarind, yogurt, citrus). Organic acids react with copper/zinc to form toxic verdigris.
   - Pure tin melts at 231.9°C. Vessels must never be heated dry on an open flame.
   - Retinning frequency: Typically every 3 to 6 months for daily cooking, 6 to 12 months for moderate use.
   - Unlined dining: Authentic kansa dining thalis and bowls can be used unlined for serving food and eating.

3. **Construction Types**:
   - Hand-hammered (thapai): Heavy gauge (2.0 mm to 3.2 mm), compacted grain structure, visible dimple marks, excellent thermal mass.
   - Machine-spun / lathe pressed: Thin gauge (0.8 mm to 1.2 mm), uniform concentric lathe marks, prone to warping under high heat.

## Top Indian Craft Benchmarks

- [Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/moradabad/): India's premier brass casting, sheet engraving, and export cluster. Common facility: Metal Handicrafts Service Centre (MHSC).
- [Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/swamimalai/): Registered GI lost-wax (cire perdue) sacred bronze icon casting.
- [Sarthebari, Assam](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/sarthebari/): Registered GI (App 1013) hand-hammered kansa dining ware (thalis, bowls, khorahi).
- [Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/aligarh/): Sand-cast brass architectural hardware and security fittings.
- [Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/kumbakonam/): Sand-cast bronze temple deepams, kuthuvilakku lamps, and vadasatti cookware.
- [Patna & Pareo, Bihar](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/patna/): Heavy hand-hammered brass patilas and feast taslas.
- [Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/mirzapur/): Traditional rolling mills and sheet metal cookware mandis.
- [Bhandara, Maharashtra](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/bhandara/): Central Indian bell-metal dining utensils and water pots.
- [Jagadhri, Haryana](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/jagadhri/): Industrial metal rolling, stamping, and heavy utensil fabrication.
- [Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu](https://buypeetal.com/clusters/thanjavur/): Three-metal art plates and repoussé relief craft.

## Machine-Readable Endpoints

- Complete Cluster Directory: https://buypeetal.com/data/directory-export.json
- Tabular Sourcing CSV: https://buypeetal.com/data/directory-export.csv
- XML Sitemap: https://buypeetal.com/sitemap.xml
- Agent Descriptor: https://buypeetal.com/.well-known/agent.json
- Full Text LLM Corpus: https://buypeetal.com/llms-full.txt