HI! forgive my memory, what you need is called pitch. But it is
black and somewhat soft and can be softened up with a soft flame.
You buy it, and then have to mix it up with something else,
according to instructions. But it is a superior support system for
shaped pieces. It is used for reposse’ work, and works just great
for stamping the back of pieces that are too delicate to hammer on.
Sorry for the error of my demented brain yesterday. Pat
You might want to try a heat gun insead of a torch when warming up
the surface of pitch. A torch tends to burn the pitch transforming
the surface and producing some fumes. The heat gun softens the
surface and warms the piecemore gently.
Rick Hamilton
Richard D. Hamilton
A goldsmith on Martha’s Vineyard
USA
Fabricated 14k, 18k, 22k, and platinum Jewelry
wax carving, modelmaking, jewelry photography,
and sailing whenever I can…
http://www.rick-hamilton.com
Pitch is ideal for these purposes, but not ‘neat’…
instructions for mixing it are in Opi (of course) and I recommend
his formula for winter working medium pitch, which is something
like 3 parts pitch, 10 parts plaster powder and 1/2 part tallow
(BUT CHECK! That’s off the top of my head.
Yours aye,
Dauvit Alexander,
Glasgow, Scotland.