Pitch Mix

[directdrive]

Just finished reading Patrick M's tutorial on making a pitch stick. I need my ignorance assuaged.....Why is it necessary to put charcoal into the pine rosin in order to make the pitch? Wouldn't the rosin and a bit of beeswax suffice to give sufficient adhesion and flexibility? Waiting to hear..........Keep Your Powder Dry.....Bruce

 

[bambodoggy]

It'll be fine with the bee's wax buddy....the charcoal is used only because the resin can be a little brittle on it's own when it dries. so as long as you use either with it you shouldn't have a problem... I'd say charcoal was used as there was plenty of it about and so it was free

Hope that helps,

Bam.

 

[Paganwolf]

Dried and powdered herbivore dung also works.

 

[Ralph]

My problem is collecting the resin.How do you get it from the tree to the coltsfoot.

 

[directdrive]

Best to allow the resin to harden into lumps which can then be easily collected. One can then melt it down. If you want to get it when wet, scrape it off the tree with a stick.....bit messy. Bruce

 

[Ralph]

thanks, thats all my questions answered. By the way ash works just as well as charcoal and it is a lot easier to get.