The Pitch Pot
This is an 8 x 4 inch cast iron pitch pot filled with six to seven pounds of Northwest Pitchworks brand Pitch, sitting on a hard tire wheel. I use pitch as a backing material while creating my chased and repousséd pieces. After you buy the bowl and pitch, they can get to be a pricey investment. They do last forever.
Up until 2008, I always provided pitch pots and pitch for my workshop students to use during classes. The pitch pots were for sale, optional always, at the end of the class. I really wanted to make it possible for people to take the class, whether or not they could afford the supplies.
I broke even, but made no profit on these pots after I accounted for my time in preparing and transporting the pots. It was purely a service to my students.
Starting in 2008, I will no longer be able to do this for my students. Due to the rising cost of gas, fuel gas, metal and supplies in general, I simply can't make the annual investment in pitch and pots. From now on, students at my workshops will have to come prepared with their own 8 inch bowl and 7 pounds of German or Northwest Pitch.
I will keep several pitch pots and tool sets in my personal studio, for students who come to my own workshop for private or small group lessons.
Well this is an amazing tool. I never thought pitch was like that. Am I right to think that it is a hard surface? Does it wear out of chip off?
ReplyDeletePitch is hard and brittle when it's cold, and all melty gooey when it's hot. There's an ideal point for working when it's not too soft but not too brittle. I warm mine up with a heat gun.
ReplyDeleteDo they need all that pitch? Maybe you could help students go 50/50 on a bowl. But you gotta do what you gotta do.
ReplyDeleteHow many times I really wished I had another...because there'd be no more room on the pot...
ReplyDeleteand not being done with what was stuck in place/wanting to think about it a bit...but wanting to pound on something else in the mean time...
I always knew another would be in my future....
My grandfather used to chew spruce pitch gum (never acquired the taste myself but that's another story!) As far as offering them up, it's a wonderful gesture but I can totally appreciate the cost - sometimes things like that just don't work out. Your time and energy is definitely worth something!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking to buy a pitch pot and pitch but I cannot afford alot. Can you make a recommendation for me of where to find a reasonable deal? What type of pitch do you recommend????
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Kelli
I can't email you Kelli. There are no inexpensive deals on pitch and pitch pots, unless you can find someone selling a used one.
ReplyDeleteFor new, try www.ottofrei.com
www.northwestpitchworks.com for good pitch.
Kirsten, If there's an ideal working point re: temp, does that mean the pitch needs to be rewarmed periodically during the chasing process? Whenever it starts to get too stiff/brittle again?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of the practice of filling your pitch pot part way with plaster of paris then finish filling with pitch for the top couple of inches? I read that somewhere but not sure if that's a good idea or if it's just asking for trouble somewhere along the line. Thank you, Carol
I have an old pitch pot from my brother in law maybe from the 70's that I would like to know the value of or if someone would be interested in having it. I will get more info on it if someone can let me know. There is more than just the pot some other tools also. Please email me if interested, basket_babe@yahoo.com. Thanks.
ReplyDelete