Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Stringman on May 25, 2015, 02:42:56 pm

Title: Dry still revisited
Post by: Stringman on May 25, 2015, 02:42:56 pm

Just a quick refresher on the use of a dry still for extracting tar from things like pine cones and birch bark. Once extracted, the tar can be boiled down and mixed with a binder and bees wax for making primitive pitch glue.

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/38481CC6-3EC9-45B0-928C-B21E1DC6B35A_zpsshrtobmz.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/38481CC6-3EC9-45B0-928C-B21E1DC6B35A_zpsshrtobmz.jpg.html)

You will need a metal bucket with hole in center (plus a lid), and a can or bowl for collecting the tar.

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/84CE5C52-D0D2-4AFD-959B-46D8587C9D7B_zps23bzqqix.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/84CE5C52-D0D2-4AFD-959B-46D8587C9D7B_zps23bzqqix.jpg.html)

Dig a hole and bury the can to the nub.

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/D2E788E9-034C-4320-BCDC-31311FB0DEF3_zpsl3bcifb1.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/D2E788E9-034C-4320-BCDC-31311FB0DEF3_zpsl3bcifb1.jpg.html)

Place the bucket over the can and push a little dirt around the bottom edge of the bucket. This will keep the fire from igniting the turpentine vapors coming from the can.

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/C2BDDA9C-F7E2-447D-8CB6-EFD648859B78_zpsvdpo7dh9.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/C2BDDA9C-F7E2-447D-8CB6-EFD648859B78_zpsvdpo7dh9.jpg.html)

Fill the bucket and replace the lid.

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/C77CE046-84B0-441F-9CC6-588AAA1824BD_zpsc7l15d7y.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/C77CE046-84B0-441F-9CC6-588AAA1824BD_zpsc7l15d7y.jpg.html)

Start a fire around the bucket and make sure it's got plenty of heat. Doesn't need to last a long time, but it does need to get hot.

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/524B9556-D728-4F68-9A90-C36A4EE43BC0_zpsrp6lgdly.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/524B9556-D728-4F68-9A90-C36A4EE43BC0_zpsrp6lgdly.jpg.html)

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/C807B0A6-80A1-4F2B-9626-3E5AF6F3B45E_zpsm1ngyztr.jpg) (http://s1311.photobucket.com/user/cotton7611/media/C807B0A6-80A1-4F2B-9626-3E5AF6F3B45E_zpsm1ngyztr.jpg.html)

The vapors coming from the bucket show you it's working.

Title: Re: Dry still revisited
Post by: Pat B on May 25, 2015, 03:58:21 pm

Very cool, Scott. Thanks for posting this.   8)

Title: Re: Dry still revisited
Post by: RidgeRunner on May 25, 2015, 08:29:37 pm

Yep! That is the way I do it.
Only I dont cook cones.
Rich Pine wood and Pine sap incrusted pine bark are what I cook.
Works well.

David

Title: Re: Dry still revisited
Post by: Stoker on May 26, 2015, 09:53:54 am

Very cool.. Bout how much sap you get out of a fiver of cones?
Thanks Leroy

Title: Re: Dry still revisited
Post by: Stringman on May 26, 2015, 10:21:28 am

Not real sure, this was t a very good batch for me. Could be due to the cones being old or not enough cook time (I was impatient.) I would say 2 cups is not unlikely.

I'm gonna drag out my bag of birch bark and try again. I've had good results with them in the past also.