Hi Matt, although you CAN make your own pitch. IT's readily available. http://www.northwestpitchworks.com/home_main.html

I think you might want to start out with the "medium". The main advantage that pitch has OVER lead....is that the pitch "hangs on" to the metal.......where as the lead only gives you mailable support. To get a LOT of details you need the "grip" that pitch gives you. Don't get me wrong....lead has it's place. Bill

Hey- whas a goin' on? I have some pitch from Northwest and it is pretty nice stuff. Vincent(the guy there) was very nice and the order got turned around pdq. My future wife bought me forty pounds of the stuff for my B-day. Whatta woman-eh?

I too use pitch from Northwest Pitchworks. I have medium and soft. When I need a harder pitch I put it in the freezer for a while. Forty pounds should keep you in stock for some time. ("Sounds like she's a keeper!")

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Hey Matt,

The pitch in that picture is german red pitch. I bought it from Otto Frie in a package with an 8" bowl and ring. It can be seen here:

http://www.ottofrei.com/store/product.php?productid=7609

I've heard really good things about the pitch from Northwest Pitchworks and I'm probably going to order some from them really soon because I have a 14 inch cast iron skillet that I need to fill for chasing/repousse. Just not sure how much I need yet.

There are recipes for making pitch that I've seen in a few books I have, but it's just easier for me to buy it and spend my time learning to chase/repousse than not buy it and instead learn to make pitch.

Thanks,
Walker

Yeah, she's definitely a keeper. I melted all forty pounds into a bed about 2'X2 1/2' for doing larger work for bachsplashs, plaques for gates,etc. It can be a hard sell but it's so fun when I get one.

Hey Fred,

If I wanted to planish the tomatoes to a smoother finish would I do better doing that from the outside or the inside. I'm thinking the outside because that is the surface that I actually wanted smooth. That just makes sense. But I was worried about reducing the height of the raised surface as I planished it. Maybe I should place the pitch bowl in the freeze for a few minutes before attempting to planish so the pitch will get really hard and not give (sink) as much as I planish. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Walker