Question About 'Rosin'

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Okay, there’s been a short discussion about ‘Cobbler’s Wax’ and making it. From that information and other information available, it appears that ‘rosin’ the kind that string musicians use on their bows, is one of the ingredients in the wax. So here’s my question to any of you who’ve actually made or attempted to make the wax: The rosin I have (violin rosin) is a dark amber color and in a little block. It is rock solid. So how do you get it to melt in with the other ingredients? Do you break off little chunks, pulverize some with a hammer, or what? Then, how do you get it soft? When I tried to do that I melted a few chunks in a pot over a low flame but the melted rosin was still hard as a rock. Looking for suggestions. Thanks

Allan

2

As I understand it rosin comes from pine tree stumps a by product of turpentine manufacturing. It might dissolve in turpentine or some other solvent that could be a carrier material and evaporate off in the mixing. I am fortunate to not have any pine trees in my yard so I cannot offer to tap a tree and capture any for you.

3

It’s the same stuff that baseball pitchers use, (the same as powdered violin rosin). It’s cheap, just google it.

4

Alan, check the Wikipedia article on rosin. It may be useful. Here’s the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosin

5

Thanks guys.

6

You are very welcome.

When was the last time your heard that, instead of “No problem.”

7

When I’m in restaurant, the server gets an extra 5% if they say “you’re welcome” rather than “no problem”.