Help with fire by Friction

pipedreams308

pipedreams308

Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
1,712
Ferro rod...no problem. Flint and steel...gotcha covered. Bow and Drill...not so good! But I have vowed to make primitive skills a learning priority this summer.

Here is the new set-up I made this evening:

IMG00316.jpg



Fireboard and drill are both Willow. Bearing block is a tiny ceramic Homer Simpson mug from a vending machine. :P I'm using thick, oval profile athletic shoelace on the bow.

Tonite I got smoke, lots of black dust, but no ember before my work weary body called it quits. I am soooo close to fire I can almost feel it.

Tips are welcome!

todd

(cross posted to KFC for more opinions)
 
The best fire by friction is a match against a striker... I tried for a long time once, I got an ember but was not able to bring it to fire. I found that a big bearing block is helpful in preventing fatigue, because you gotta put a lot of weight into it. Also grease the bearing block with oil from your forehead. Make sure your fireboard is long enough to brace under your knee so it doesn't move at all. When you see smoke, move faster for a little while. Somebody more expirienced might be able to tell you more about wood choice.
 
looks like you have good materials, willow works great for hearth board and spindle. You just have to play with different speed and preasure. When you start to see smoke, don't start moving the bow faster. Keep it steady and smooth. Gradually apply more preasure on the block. It's also hard to judge when you have a coal. It will smoke quite a bit, then gradually stop the bow. If it's still smoking when you stop, you most likely have a coal. Breathing life into it is a whole new set of challenges though! Just keep practicing, you'll get it.
 
Your notch is not deep or wide enough. Until you get the hang of it I would "grease" the top of your spindle and socket with a little bar soap or lip balm, etc. Something to get the speed-up which is critical at the end.

Make sure you go slower at first to warm your set up, then heavy to create coal dust which will fill your notch. When it starts smoking good let up on the pressure and go for speed to raise the temperature.

It also helps me to say a little prayer of thankfulness before starting.
 
I know where your coming from,I had alot of trouble getting that first coal,
First of course LOL is to keep practicing, and make sure your materials are bone dry, use the full lenth of the bow,I alternate using just arm power and when I start to tire throw in a little momentum from my back,do what ever you have to just keep the spindle in place and spining!

I make my notch just a fuzz wider and about 1/3 the way into the hole in the bottom board.I start at moderate pressure and speed to warm up the set,when I get smoke I add some presure,when I get good thick smoke that seems to settle in around the notch I give it all I've got for another 30seconds or so or until the notch is full of dust stop carfully let the coal grow for a few seconds and add her to my tender.

Hope my rambling helps some and best of luck!
LOTO
 
If opening the notch doesn't help, I might try switching to a different wood for the spindle or baseboard (harder or softer).

I'd also bring my own tinder, something I knew was bone dry and nearly powder fine, to mix in with found stuff that feels "dry", and a pad to put under the tinder bed, like a piece of birchbark or aluminum foil, to keep out ground moisture.
 
I HAVE MADE FIRE!!!

I open up my notch and shortened my drill. Stared slow this time. THREE minute later, I had a bright coal. Transfered it to the tinder bundle and a few big puffs (and a prayer of thanks) and it burst into flames! Thanks to all for your help and encouragement!

todd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top