George_Willy wrote:
>
> >I am interested in a recipe for waterproof shoe polish. It requires 4 oz
> >beeswax, 4 oz resin, 1 pt linseed oil, 1/4 pt turpentine.  Has anyone
> >any ideas for obtaining the resin.  Being a Scot I am unwilling to pay
> >for this.  Can you obtain the resin from pine trees and if so by what
> >method?  I have tried to cut the bark of Scots pines but I think I would
> >be there till doomsday trying to get 4 ozs!
> >
> >Harry
> >Scotland.
> Harry:
>         I am not sure but I think that I can help you. In Vermont there is
> a tree called balsum fir which grows everywhere.  At this time of year
> there are blisters of sap just under the bark which I believe is rosen or
> maybe a diluted form of it. I know people harvest this liquid which is
> colorless and extreemly sticky to the touch by using large hypodermic
> needles.
>         What we use for waterproofing boots is 1/3 part beeswax 1/3 part
> vegetable oil or rendered bears fat which is preferred and 1/3 part neats
> foot oil.  Heated and stired till cool this will keep the water out and
> still lets the leather breath.
>         George
>
> George & Lorraine Willy
> The Village Inn of East Burke
> Box 186
> East Burke, Vermont
> 05832
 
George,
Thanks for the recipe.  I may have had trouble with the resin but the
bears' fat is going to be next to impossible!  I have an old dog
here that is getting on my nerves.  Do you think if I boiled that up it
might do?
We don't have any balsum fir near here but I think that most pine and
fir trees produce this resin when they are damaged.  I originally made
my cut in the bark with a knife but perhaps a deeper vertical chain saw
cut might be better.
 
Harry,
Scotland