1st attempt at a Bow- Drill Fire

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So this is to big? Lol
 
For those desert rats out there keep your eye out for dead saguaro cactus for the spindle. The cactus grows with this outer wood in almost perfect cylinders and it works great for bowdrills as it is very soft. Its what I've always used anyway.

Just letting you know though, its illegal to kill a saguaro in AZ, so you can only look for the downed dead ones as far as I know.
 
Nice try. Great advice here from all. All that i would add is that when it comes to busting a coal with a bow drill sometimes it takes a whole lot of persistance and energy (cranking that bow).
 
Eero said:
Nice try. Great advice here from all. All that i would add is that when it comes to busting a coal with a bow drill sometimes it takes a whole lot of persistance and energy (cranking that bow).
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Most definitely energy consuming. I started out wearing a light jacket, sweat shirt and an under shirt. When I was done, I was done to just the under shirt..lol
 
Cottonwood is my first choice willow is right behind it. In NJ I would think cedar would be easy to find and also a good wood. You said you were getting a lot of smoke. When you see the smoke rolling out give it more pressure and about 25 or so more strokes. Then stop remove the drill and just watch for the wisp of smoke from a coal. Don't mess with it to soon let it sit and mellow. I know not much help. Good luck.
I have been tring different wood and make a coal if not a full fire about twice a week working on my technique.
 
Cedar for me all the way.

I've tried willow, basswood, and a few others, gives me some cedar and get the hell back.

I sweat alot doing bowdrills, I don't want to get any on ya.

Moose
 
I think it is time for a scouting trip Saturday for a cedar tree then.. I know where there are a few in my area where I hunt.
 
Tanto63 said:
I think it is time for a scouting trip Saturday for a cedar tree then.. I know where there are a few in my area where I hunt.
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Get some fatwood while you're out too.

Oh, and while you are learning how, take some short cuts. Bake that cedar in the stove on 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Shit will coal up faster than an engineers son in law.

And remember, it takes PRACTICE, took me a while to learn what to do. Like, 10 minutes or something. :D

Damn near an eternity. :D

Moose
 
lowery399 said:
Luckily I have about 15 cedar trees growing about the place. Guess I'll have to cut some of it. :)
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If you do, can you send me a couple planks? LOL! I want to learn how to bow drill, but also fresh caught salmon smoked on a cedar plank... AMAZING!
 
hard to really tell what's going on with just pictures. if you got smoke and went through the hearth then your technique and setup might already be there but using a very unforgiving wood. having a proven wood (i.e. someone already made a coal with it easily) is ideal but barring that, you can go to lowes and pick up a piece of poplar both for the hearth and drill (1/2" diameter is perfect) - it's one of the easiest woods to work with for beginners. cottonwood is the easiest i've ever used though.

also, you can do it in two parts (this works with hardwoods where it's hard to get dust buildup). 1st part is just to get the notch to fill up with dust and then take a breather...2nd part is when you really go for it...if you're ever in the north nj area i'd be happy to show you/watch how you do it in person.
 
Chameleonbear said:
If you do, can you send me a couple planks? LOL! I want to learn how to bow drill, but also fresh caught salmon smoked on a cedar plank... AMAZING!
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I used cedar planks from the outdoor cooking section of WalMart for the fourth or fifth different type of wood I was successful with. I believe two salmon planks set me back $3.00. I used yucca the first time I got a coal. I was using too much downward pressure with the other spendals and drilled holes in the soft cedar. I seen a video in which the guy got a coal with 8 strokes using that combo!
 
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