making pine pitch

[keekeerun]

If I'm not mistaken, do I have to add charcoal to the pine pitch, If so whats the ratio. anybody know.   THANKS

[El Destructo]

If I'm not mistaken, do I have to add charcoal to the pine pitch, If so whats the ratio. anybody know.   THANKS

Well for Starters....you dont need to make Pine Pitch.....you just pick it off the Pine trees...      ...Pine Pitch is dried Pine Sap....you need to gather it from the Sides of Trees...or if necessary....Make some small cuts in the Bark and collect the Pitch as it oozes out.....

I make my Glue wth a 4-1-1 rule......4 parts Pitch....1 part Charcoal or Wood Ash....and 1 part Lard

Heat slowly in a small soup can in a pot of water (or a double boiler) until melted completely......remove any debris that is in it....bark.....dirt...etc.....  Stir in the wood ash....or charcoal and small amounts of the animal fat until the consistency is approximately like Elmer's glue......  Don't overheat or the turpentine will separate from the rosin, weakening the glue, and potentially catching fire from the turpentine fumes!!!!!

The glue may be used as-is or poured onto waxed paper and rolled into balls or a cylinder as it cools......I like it like this .....because it can be used like a glue stick..... heated with a lighter or candle to soften and apply.......

Pitch glue made the same way without the animal fat is a good waterproofing seal on sinew wrapping.......  hope that this helps ay out.......

[lowell]

Will the sap come from the trees in the winter or is it better in the summer/ growing season??

  Also what is the purpose of the animal fat if it can be made without it??

  keekeerun.... Thanks for the question!!!


 And yankeemongiat... Thanks for the answer!!!!

[El Destructo]

I only take the Lard out for when I am making it to water proof with....for Hafting ...I use the Lard always...it is put in there for One Major reason...It keeps the Pitch from getting Brittle when aging....you can use Beeswax also...works as good....I just use Lard....cause it's alway in the Kitchen!!!

As for the question about when to get the Sap....anytime on an Evergreen...but the best time is in the Spring and Summer Months

[Pat B]

The fat makes it less brittle and the charcoal adds body. I usually use bees wax for the fat part. I have heard of folks using dried rabbit or deer droppings instead of charcoal.The fibers in them add the body to the pitch glue.   
   Do be careful when you melt the pitch. It will catch fire if you are not careful.    Pat 

[keekeerun]

Thanks guys I should have worded my thread collecting pine pitch, sorry.  I got some today put it in an old soup can heated it and strained it thru chicken wire into another can I added charcoal dust and beeswax.  I left it dry and it is still brittle, I 'm going to add more beeswax tommorow.  It took awhile to melt the chunks I got, I hope I did'nt overheat it, I got it pretty runny I hope it still works.  Thanks

[Pat B]

If the pitch is still sticky or oozing when you collect it I like to cook some of the terps out of it.  I don't measure when I make my mixture but I usually go about 2:1:1 with maybe a bit more pitch.   When you have it cleaned and the blend you like, make glue sticks by dipping a stick in the pitch glue and give it a twist then remove it and put the glue in water to solidify it. Do it again until you get a nice size blob on each stick. To use it just hold over a flame until it begins to run and apply it to whatever you are working on. Be careful because it will ignite easily at this point and it you drip it on yourself it will give you a bad burn.     Pat

[david w.]

ould i put crisco in instead of animal fat or beeswax?

[El Destructo]

You probably could...but a Pound of Lard is dirt cheap....and  Beeswax isnt too expensive at all..about 4 bucks a pound

[david w.]

ok its just my mom doesnt cook with lard and i dont have beeswax

[keekeerun]

Thanks I'll try the stick idea.

[Sparrow]

  I do 5 parts pitch,1 part powdered charcoal and a touch of wax(Bee's or candle wax) or I'll put in a touch of bacon grease instead of wax.I've always used spruce pitch,don't know if it's any different from pine ? Good luck !  Frank

[michbowguy]

check out one method on primitive skills. i posted pics.