Hand drill (video)

[Diomedes Industries]

Down here in Texas - you can find Sotol - which I hear is an EXCELLENT hand drill material.

TF

 

[tknife]

Awesome vid. I love hand drill fire talk! My hands have gotten soft and sissyfied, I need to practice again.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great stuff man...:thumbup: the hand drill is the first form of fire by friction i learned...

 

[tonym]

I just grabbed a Mullein stalk, can I use Basswood or White cedar as the Hearth board?

 

[tknife]

Not sure about basswood, but the cedar may be too resinous. You'll be able to tell right away if the drill or hole start getting shiny instead of crumbly. It will also make a squeeky noise, instead of making a smoky powder.

 

[abo4ster]

I just grabbed a Mullein stalk, can I use Basswood or White cedar as the Hearth board?

Basswood yes. Is this what you are referring to as white cedar LINK

I have never used it, but I think it is supposed to be good for the bow drill, not sure what it will do for you on the hand drill.

Let us know how it goes ~ good luck!!!

 

[Halcon]

Mulefat is my favorite for the spindle. I also like using lambsquarter and currant. Ive tried the mullein and cattail, but it doesn't work well for my technique (pressure over speed)

for the hearth--- Sotol then ash (shamel ash). Not a big fan of willow or cottonwood, but that is due to ash being so readily available. I've done it with many woods. and am a firm believer it can be done with all properly dry woods. Doing it with Desert ironwood made me a believer of that... I wouldn't recommend it though.

my two second coal was mulefat on sotol... that was fun!

Alan

 

[tonym]

Basswood yes. Is this what you are referring to as white cedar LINK

I have never used it, but I think it is supposed to be good for the bow drill, not sure what it will do for you on the hand drill.

Let us know how it goes ~ good luck!!!

Yup thats the stuff. I find it works best for bowdrill in my not so skilled hands.

There is plenty of Red Cedar by me, but I have a bunch of Basswood that I cut down awhile ago so I'll start there.

Thanks, I'll give it a go and report back. Probably not till Sat though..

 

[tonym]

Ok here is my 1st miserable failed attempt. I confess I didn't try all that long. I never got any smoke and only managed this sad gray powder. So should I get some Red Cedar or keep trying with this basswood.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Dude - that is rather pathetic - send me your knife.

TF

 

[tonym]

Thanks, you should consider being a motivational speaker......

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Tony - It was totally a joke.

Have you ever heard of Thumb Loops? I think you were missing speed and some downward pressure. I have heard thumb loops make learning a LOT easier.

TF

 

[tonym]

Tony - It was totally a joke.

Have you ever heard of Thumb Loops? I think you were missing speed and some downward pressure. I have heard thumb loops make learning a LOT easier.

TF

I know your sence of humor by now TF :thumbup:, I was never upset

I've heard of thumb loops but never seen them. I guess I need to look into that.

Thanks big guy:thumbup:

 

[abo4ster]

Tony,

First off, it is difficult to troubleshoot via pictures, so in advance I apologive if I lead you astray.

From what I see, it looks like the dust you are getting is not very fine, more like whiskers which isn't a good thing. It could be too much moisture in the basswood, or the mullein is too hard for the piece of basswood you have. No smoke or dark coal dust could also be a result of not enough down force.

Suggestions:
- use handshears or heavy duty scissors and clip the end of the spindle. That bark like sheath on the outside will get you a coal before the pith will.
- if you have a piece of dry cedar (sapwood only), try it, maybe that basswood is too moist.
- get a partner to help, switching off. Great way to learn more by saving your hands.
- when you do start getting smoke and good coal dust (and you will!), that notch needs to go to closer to the center, if not all the way, and be at least twice as big in my opinion.
- stop before you get a blister, you will be able to do more practice by stopping and giving it two days, then try again.

Just took these pics for you, hope they help...

 

[tonym]

Many Thanks QB

The pics help.

I will get some dry Red Cedar and try again implementing your tips.

 

[benchmadebob]

ahhhh i tried this and got some smoke and dust but no coal and swollen hands. But my snidle was on the ground because i couldn find any standing mullen.