[Jewelry making - Article 00093] - Re: [Orchid] Preparing pitch bowl

[Marty]

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    I've done precious little work with pitch - I AM NOT AN EXPERT - but
    this discussion about "preparing pitch bowls" makes me wonder if
    someone has not misunderstood or misread some instructions about how
    to use pitch. I have read in more than one source advice about how to
    prepare the pitch itself (not the pitch bowl). The pitch, straight
    off the shelf, doesn't suit all needs or all styles of work. One
    might wish to make it harder or softer according to one's needs. It
    was in that context that I understood that dry plaster powder was
    recommended as an additive to make pitch stiffer. One melts the
    pitch, stirs in some dry plaster and lets it all set up. Likewise,
    for a softer pitch, one would add a bit of oil. 

    I'm wondering if this is where the idea about putting "Plaster in
    the bottom of the bowl" came from - a simple misunderstanding of the
    uses of plaster powder in pitch preparation. Whaddya think? Anyway I
    agree with the person who said that plaster in the bowl is not a good
    idea because (a) the plaster is too light (you want a pitch bowl to
    be heavy) and (b) because the plaster might break up and get mixed
    into the pitch - making an awful mess. If I were to put anything in
    the bottom of the pitch bowl, (presumably this is intended to bulk up
    the pitch or raise its level in the bowl without having to buy a lot
    of expensive pitch) I might use something heavier and more durable
    than plaster - maybe some rocks or steel ball bearings. 

    Whaddya think? 

Marty in wet and not-too-wild Victoria



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