I have a couple of alcohol torches [lamps] from Lee Valley, they have nice brass hardware and cap and with a wick. I have owned several over the years including a couple of nice old ones. I have never noticed this phenomenon before but it happens on both of these lamps. It is nothing dangerous, unless I were to drop a crucible of molten resin on myself, I am now quite careful and try to anticipate at least one or two flare ups during the cooking. I am careful not to heat the resin up enough to cause it to smoke as I am sure the fumes are flammable.

Tico,

I had a small cup and a small knife [actually a chip carving knife I carry while at work] and I would just wander amongst the spruce trees and scrap off larger drops and drips as they appeared. I never scored the trees to produce more sap but that can be done. You can also purchase a lot of different resins for varnish making but collecting the stuff on my own gives me a closer connection to the process. There haven’t been any recent books on the subject but I am currently working on my next book which will contain complete details for making varnish, paint and other nineteenth century finishing techniques.

Stephen

This of interest to me. Fifteen years ago I reforested nine acres of land where we live in upstate New York and among the 8,000 or so trees are White and Red Pine, Blue and White Spruce, and Balsom Fir. In the pruning and thinning of these trees I certainly encounter plenty of pitch. I would like to know more about your collection technique, any books on the topic, photos, etc.

Best,

Tico

If I may ask, what kind of alcohol lamp is it? Does it have a wick, or is it more of the style of one of those Swedish camping stoves?

If it has a wick, then I have no idea whatsoever. If it is otherwise, alcohol, as a gas, is heavier than air and pools up. While handling it, this pool of gas within the lamp was disturbed, mixed with some fresh oxygen, resulting in a flash. The lamp will not do this normally, but it was the fact that you were holding and moving the lamp which caused the turbulence that mixed in the oxygen making it particularly sensitive to a flare up. Fortunately, these are almost always relatively small, although fun to watch. Alarming, yes, but relatively harmless. Just keep your eyelashes a safe distance away.

Dave

Would you please resubmit your post for some reason it was deleted.

Stephen