Another Hearthboard Experiment...

[Mistwalker]

I started out today's experiment working more on the split board...

Since Vaughn brought up splitting my energy into two coals I decided to go for one instead. I burned in the socket.

then I split the bevels only on one side, and tied the string between on one end to allow for air.

I didn't really have favorable results the first try, and then realizing how much energy I was putting into something that didn't work as easily for me (still new to the two stick method) as the regular flat board anyway, I had another idea. Looking around at some of the thin flat pieces left from splitting off flat boards I thought... "why couldn't I just stack one board on another to keep it off snow or wet ground?" So...that's what I did next...

The thin piece had a slight bow to it so I turned the bow facing the bottom of the fire board so that when tied tight at both ends it's pulled up tight against the board to catch the coal and help it not move during use.

At first I got a good lesson in not being able to use a larger dia. spindle in a hole prepped with a smaller dia. one. Then I just moved over and prepped another socket. After that it worked out well this time, but I'm thinking mating a thicker board to it for use on snow or wet ground would be a bit more difficult.

You can see the spindles I've worked with over the last little while.

The main things I've learned so far are that when using cedar limbs I like 3/4" diameter spindles the best so far, I want to find/make a better cord (my sore fingers reeeally want me to do this), and I want to make a slightly heavier structured bow next time (read that as soon).


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[sicily02]

Very cool mistwalker, Thanks for sharing your findings.

Bryan

 

[paleojoe]

I like your inquisitive mind mistwalker!:thumbup:

What you are doing with the fireboard somewhat calls to mind an indigenous Australian method.

A method I have seen used is a variation of the firesaw.
A fireboard would be prepped by simply splitting a relatively flat piece of wood at the top by way of a small splinter-wedge. Then a stick (or woomera edge) was sawed perpendicular to the split at the narrowest part of the fracture, collecting the ember in the split.

Drilling at that point, would do the same. The cool thing about this is with the platform underneath it would be enclosed from the ground, as well as the wind, and concentrating the collection point for dust/ember held in by wedge, improving coal results.

 

[Mistwalker]

I like your inquisitive mind mistwalker!:thumbup:

What you are doing with the fireboard somewhat calls to mind an indigenous Australian method.

A method I have seen used is a variation of the firesaw.
A fireboard would be prepped by simply splitting a relatively flat piece of wood at the top by way of a small splinter-wedge. Then a stick (or woomera edge) was sawed perpendicular to the split at the narrowest part of the fracture, collecting the ember in the split.

Drilling at that point, would do the same. The cool thing about this is with the platform underneath it would be enclosed from the ground, as well as the wind, and concentrating the collection point for dust/ember held in by wedge, improving coal results.

Thanks Joe,

Hmmmm that does sound interesting....but I think I too tired to clearly picture it clearly...I'll have to put some thought into it

 

[Mistwalker]

Very cool mistwalker, Thanks for sharing your findings.

Bryan

Thanks Bryan, glad you liked it.

I guess that last sentence didn't make much sense since I had left out the last picture