Re: ATM tested today at lunch!

[mdholm@telerama.com]

In the past, when I tried melting pitch using a double boiler arrangement, I 
had trouble getting the pitch hot enough, but this may vary with setup.  It 
ought to work.

I put a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil right over the small heating coil on 
the kitchen stove and put the pitch pot (either a recycled 2 lb tomato can or a 
retired sauce pan) directly on the foil.  Ease the heat up quite gradually and 
never go over about 4 of 10 on the dial.  I never leave the room when doing 
this, and keep a metal plate and ABC fire extinguisher handy just in case.  If 
it should catch fire, the drill would be: 1. Slap the metal plate on top and 
remove from heat as quickly as possible.  2. Stand by with fire extinguisher.  
Never put water on burning pitch, it would be like water on an oil fire, i.e. 
probably not a good idea.

No matter how you heat it (well perhaps not with a microwave, if that works) 
the heat transfer from the outer layers of the pitch to the middle is slow.  
There doesn't seem to be a good way to speed this up.  The stuff doesn't stir 
well when viscous, and you don't want to heat it to a thin consistancy unless 
you are trying to harden it up.  Just keep the heat low and be very patient 
about warming it up.  Remember, it melts well below the boiling point of 
water.  Any setting on your stove that will simmer water is probably hot 
enough, or even too hot.

When I have used Burgandy pitch, the odor has been quite pleasant.  Very 
reminiscant of a lush pine forest.  I din't like the smell of Gugolz so much.  
Rather an acrid note.  Either way, the smell didn't linger too long.

Oh, put newspaper over the kitchen counter and floor.  The reason should be 
obvious!

Mark Holm
mdholm@telerama.com