RE: ATM Sawing pitch channels

[BOB PRABOWO <BOB@bahana.co.id>]

Hi Guys,
        Guy Bradenberg wrote:
>       it suggested pouring little square facets in a mold and then gluing
>       them to the tool. Looked like a pain in the ass, though. Anybody else
        try that method?
        
My first tool was made that way, and when I renew it a few days ago I
did it the same way.
I found it easier to do than pouring the pitch on the tool and channel
it with soldering iron or hot knife. IMO, it's not a pain.

I did it the way Tex described it, but to those who doesn't have the
book here's how:

While melting the pitch, I made 3 molds, made of card board, the inside
surfaces are covered with masking tape. I made  three 2.5" x 14"  card
board,  fold the cardboard 0.5" from the side (both side, left and
right) so the width of the base was 1.5" with 0.5"  walls. This will
make pitch squares with 1.5" width.
  
I then pour the hot pitch on the molds. After all the molds were filled
with pitch about 0.25  thick (I marked the side of the molds, so I know
when it reached the right thickness), I let it cool for a minute and
then I put it in a freezer for a few more minutes (this idea of putting
it in a freezer was Jean-Marc's, and it cooled the pitch fast) . I took
it out of the freezer and it's ready to be cut.
 
Now the cutting. To cut the pitch, I used a razor blade. I heat the
blade with a candle and cut the pitch. Easy. To place the pitch on the
tool, I heat the pitch squares with the candle (burn the bottom with the
candle) until it's shiny and place it on the tool and press it.

To hot press the tool, I placed it under a 40 watt desk lamp to heat it
(I found it's a better method than putting the tool in a hot water less
messy, and I think a 100 watts bulb will heat it faster), and when the
pitch was soft I applied the polishing mix and placed my mirror on it.

The whole process (minus the time to melt the pitch) for my second tool
took only 30 minutes. And another 20 minutes to trim the pitch after hot
pressing it.
Maybe it takes longer than if you pour the pitch on the tool, but for me
it's easier and less pitch chips in the kitchen. 

Like Richard said, "my way maybe is not the best way but it works for
me."

Bob P. Sumitro
Jakarta, Indonesia

True Victory is Self Victory!
Harmonize yourself with the
Divine Parent Mind -
salvation lives right within
your own body and soul.

-Morihei Ueshiba-


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