ATM Pitch too soft

[Barger Kyle <kbarger@haverford.edu>]

I attempted to pour my pitch lap this afternoon, and I found that the 
pitch is way too soft.  I melted it in the microwave and everything 
seemed to go fine.  But when I tested using the "drop a blob in water" 
method I didn't even bother to use a coin on it--it exhibited a 
consistency only slightly harder than taffy.  As recommended I tried 
heating for a while to harden it up, but it didn't change noticably.  
(I heated it for a total of about 8 minutes after the point when it was 
melted, in short chunks with stirring in between).  This seems like a 
long time to microwave something, and the pyrex container was getting 
pretty warm, so I thought I would drop back & see what people 
thing--should I continue with this pitch?  If so, any guesses as to how 
long I will need to heat it to bring it to the right hardness?  Or should I 
forget it and get a different batch of pitch.  (This is the medium 
burgundy pitch as supplied by Newport Glass in their kit.)