Where to find gutta percha?

October 14, 2009 1:21 PM

How to obtain gutta percha? Once used to fashion tintype cases and to insulate the first trans-atlantic cable, it's since fallen out of fashion. Now, it's primary application is for the filling of root canals. Where can I find some in sufficient quantity for a craft project?
posted by aladfar to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 comments total)

Dharma Trading.
posted by KathrynT at 1:30 PM on October 14

uh, with one caveat -- those are thinned to a rubber-cement consistency, or a little thinner. If you need a more solid product, those might not work.
posted by KathrynT at 1:32 PM on October 14

That's a start! I'm looking for something a bit more solid - something that I can pour into a mold or do some basic carving with.
posted by aladfar at 1:57 PM on October 14

you must've acquired some hickory shafts; perhaps a mashie? a niblick?

google turns up:
http://www.ecplaza.net/tradeleads/seller/5508928/viet_nam_natural_rubber.html#none

http://www.ec21.com/ec-market/Other_Plastic_Raw_Materials--331099/1/gutta_percha.html
posted by at at 3:04 PM on October 14

As you no doubt know, gutta percha can be used in weapons of mass destruction. Hence its distribution has been curtailed by the TSA.
posted by megatherium at 8:12 PM on October 14

megatherium: The TSA does not have the jurisdiction to control the distribution of a material, nor is gutta percha listed as a prohibited item. Nor can I find anything indicating it is controlled by the ATF, the most likely federal agency to have oversight. It's basically a form of latex.
posted by dhartung at 9:20 PM on October 14

I believe megatherium was being facetious.

But after a few more days of searching, I'm resolved to the fact that gutta perhca is not easily obtained in the US. Short of importing massive quantities from Asia, I believe I'm out of luck.

I'm considering polymer clay or something similar as a substitute.
posted by aladfar at 2:31 PM on October 15

aladfar, this may be a long shot, but try asking on the civil war reenactors forum. I know there is someone there that is somewhat active that makes cases for wet plate photographers and, the group as a whole is pretty helpful at finding hard to find chemicals.
posted by squeak at 3:29 PM on October 15