Pine pitch

[TLR]

In the summers I instruct at a wilderness camp for 7-9th graders. This is the fourth year we've done it and we are trying to add new skills in each year for kids who are returning. I've been studying up on pine pitch glue and am ready to try to make a few batches.

A couple of questions for anyone who has experience with this technology.

I understand the need for binding agents.

I have read some recipes that call for charcoal and some that do not. I understand the plant fiber binders. Is the charcoal meant to get it to a specific consistency or is it actually acting as a binding agent or something else from a chemical standpoint?

The most readily available pitch that I have here in the upper iowa/lower wisconsin/upper illinois area is fir or other northern conifers. Any thoughts on pitch from this region?

What's your favorite recipe?

Thanks.

 

[mewolf1]

Any of the Pine family should be fine. The charcoal has the same use as plant fibers.

 

[druid189]

Any of the Pine family should be fine. The charcoal has the same use as plant fibers.

Agreed. I've used both but not together...either charcoal or plant fibers. Charcoal is my preferred binder though and the only reason is it's readily available....I don't have to go looking for it.

As for tree species, I've used pitch from whatever tree is around me. My 'normal' haunts are littered with Douglas Fir, though I've also used Eastern White and Pitch Pine. Pitch Pine, BTW, is VERY resinous and has yielded the most [and best IMO] resin for a variety of uses. Pitch Pine happens to be my favorite for fire-starter material.

 

[AmericanAsApple3.14]

Agreed. I've used both but not together...either charcoal or plant fibers. Charcoal is my preferred binder though and the only reason is it's readily available....I don't have to go looking for it.

As for tree species, I've used pitch from whatever tree is around me. My 'normal' haunts are littered with Douglas Fir, though I've also used Eastern White and Pitch Pine. Pitch Pine, BTW, is VERY resinous and has yielded the most [and best IMO] resin for a variety of uses. Pitch Pine happens to be my favorite for fire-starter material.

Do you have a favorite recipe or link to one? I'm on the east coast in NE florida so I take it my pine trees would work as well.

 

[B34NS]

The ash or charcoal acts as a stabilizer, too much it's too brittle as a glue, too little its all drippy. 1 part charcoal to 3 parts resin has been a general sweetspot, although ymmv.

 

[mete]

That answers my question !! When you look at drawings and paintings of birchbark canoes the resin is always black AFAIK .That explains it .

 

[druid189]

The ash or charcoal acts as a stabilizer, too much it's too brittle as a glue, too little its all drippy. 1 part charcoal to 3 parts resin has been a general sweetspot, although ymmv.

That ^^ is about right. while I've never stopped to measure my mix, I've pretty much just "eyeballed" it..........but 1:3 seems about right.

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

I may be wrong but I seem to remember some fat or tallow added with the charcoal to give it some resilience so its not too brittle.

35 plus years since we made it in cubscouts