Topic: How do I cure spruce sap (to be used for glue)? (Read 7792 times)

Jesper · « **on:** October 18, 2009, 06:30:52 AM »

Hello everyone

For a special purpose I'm interested in using wood sap (spruce or other tree) as a glue, however, don't know how to cure it in a natural way (i.e. using fluids, materials, ingredients etc.) that are readily available in nature. I've heard that charcoal may be used (heating & mixing), however, would like to avoid the charcoal as the sap is to be used for making a fine furniture, thus black "glue" is not desired.

Any of you have a suggestion as how to this can be done?

Also, I may be interested in mixing the sap with beeswax and to be able to thin this mix - again in a natural way. Any of you knows if this can be done?

Greetings - and thanks for any help

Jesper

P · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:42:34 PM »

What is the resin structure? Maybe heat, acid or UV depending on what type of resin comes from spruce. Just stab in the dark here without knowing what particular resin comes from spruce. Have you tried to experiment with some small amounts? Try heat, UV or acid to induce crosslinking in the resin.

PS - after a quick search around it seems that spruce resin maybe quite a short chain length. How about a radiation cure - some rosins UV cure.

Hope this helps - let us know how you get on.

Jesper · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2009, 12:10:46 PM »

Hi "P",

& thanks for your suggestions. I've tried to heat the sap, as an oven is what I have readily available, and it works reasonably fine. Have also tried to add beeswax, and may alter the brittleness of the sap in this way, so there's a way onwards from here. I would, however, like to shift the melting point of the sap/beeswax upwards (towards 100 degrees celsius).

Any of you know if there is a natural way of doing this, i.e. with materials readily available in nature?

Greetings from an autumn-clad Denmark,

Jesper

408 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2009, 12:27:05 PM »

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-make-pine-pitch-adhesive-195691/

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/making-pitch-glue/

Jesper · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2009, 12:54:44 PM »

Thanks

Jesper

P · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:30:32 AM »

Both of those links use charcol though! I thought the whole point was to NOT use charcol so the glue would be clear? Oh-wel....

Did you try acid?