Repair/resto question

ariel · 8th June 2019, 02:02 AM

BTW, where can one get black pitch?

I fixed a couple of Tulwars with very old mastique and wobbly blades with a molten old sealing wax mixed with powdered brick. Exactly the same recipe that was used originally: shellack + a little wax + ceramic powder.

Battara · 8th June 2019, 03:39 AM

Thanks Ariel for that. One place to acquire black pine pitch is Germany. However, you can also color red jeweler's pitch (which I have done in the past).

kahnjar1 · 8th June 2019, 06:04 AM

There is a product on the market here marketed by Selleys called KNEADIT. It's polymer compound which sets HARD. Available from hardware shops.
Very easy to mix and to position. Can be filed, drilled and generally reworked as one would a piece of any metal.
Stu

Bob A · 8th June 2019, 08:09 AM

A quick look for black pitch came up empty. Pine tar can be had, but it's viscous liquid at room temperature.

Jeweler's red pitch is available, in pound quantities, but it seems to have a 110 degree F melting point, which might be a little low for the intended purpose.

Information on raising melting points would be of interest.

Sealing wax is readily available.

Bob A · 8th June 2019, 05:22 PM

Pictures as requested.

A. G. Maisey · 8th June 2019, 10:04 PM

I'd de-mount/re-mount using damar +bees wax + powdered terracotta.

Bob A · 9th June 2019, 04:37 PM

Dismounting might be a bit problematic. The tang extends through a horn end cap and is peened over. (See picture)

Ebay has a lot of damar, in a wide variety of colors. India seems to supply "black" damar; I suspect it's just in a less refined state than the rest. I am led to believe it is synonymous with Benzoin, an incense of which I have a few ounces left over from the 1960s.

I also assume the melting point would be high enough to prevent problems; stuff seems pretty solid.

8th June 2019, 05:22 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	Pictures as requested. Attached Images

9th June 2019, 04:37 PM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	Dismounting might be a bit problematic. The tang extends through a horn end cap and is peened over. (See picture) Ebay has a lot of damar, in a wide variety of colors. India seems to supply "black" damar; I suspect it's just in a less refined state than the rest. I am led to believe it is synonymous with Benzoin, an incense of which I have a few ounces left over from the 1960s. I also assume the melting point would be high enough to prevent problems; stuff seems pretty solid. Attached Images

8th June 2019, 02:02 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	BTW, where can one get black pitch? I fixed a couple of Tulwars with very old mastique and wobbly blades with a molten old sealing wax mixed with powdered brick. Exactly the same recipe that was used originally: shellack + a little wax + ceramic powder.

8th June 2019, 03:39 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thanks Ariel for that. One place to acquire black pine pitch is Germany. However, you can also color red jeweler's pitch (which I have done in the past).

8th June 2019, 06:04 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	There is a product on the market here marketed by Selleys called KNEADIT. It's polymer compound which sets HARD. Available from hardware shops. Very easy to mix and to position. Can be filed, drilled and generally reworked as one would a piece of any metal. Stu

8th June 2019, 08:09 AM	#4
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	A quick look for black pitch came up empty. Pine tar can be had, but it's viscous liquid at room temperature. Jeweler's red pitch is available, in pound quantities, but it seems to have a 110 degree F melting point, which might be a little low for the intended purpose. Information on raising melting points would be of interest. Sealing wax is readily available.

8th June 2019, 10:04 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,017	I'd de-mount/re-mount using damar +bees wax + powdered terracotta.