Neat discovery

Pritch

Pritch

Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
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A lot of you guys may already know this, but I just made a discovery. I hate the idea of carrying a ferro rod unless it is protected. I just figured out that a piece of stripped 550 acts as a nice tight protective cover for a BSA Hot Spark. The fit is very snug. It won't protect against moisture (in fact it probably would make it worse) but it will keep my keys and what not from messing it up while it is in my pocket.

-- FLIX
 
Flix,

Thanks for the post and the idea. I was contemplating using tubular webbing for my 1/2" by 4" I got from Exploration Products.

Your post reminded me that I need to get this done.

Travis
 
Surgical tubing also works, and is a good moisture barrier. However, it is slower and harder to put on and take off, so it is not for a rod that is going to see everyday use.
 
Thanks Mike. I'm actually prototyping some ferro rod designs of my own right now that would have waterproof rod protectors.

-- FLIX
 
is waterproof Really a necessity fi Ferro rods??

I will be using the 550 chord on my hot spark :thumbup:
 
a drinking straw from macdonalds? Theres several different sizes of straw around at various fast food joints, and a bit of extra length could be stuffed with some cotton and vaseline.
 
FLIX said:
A lot of you guys may already know this, but I just made a discovery. I hate the idea of carrying a ferro rod unless it is protected. I just figured out that a piece of stripped 550 acts as a nice tight protective cover for a BSA Hot Spark. The fit is very snug. It won't protect against moisture (in fact it probably would make it worse) but it will keep my keys and what not from messing it up while it is in my pocket.

-- FLIX
Click to expand...

Clear nail polish the Ferro rod then slip the 550 cord over it. You could also coat the 550 with something to make it more water resistant.
 
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I'm thinking more of a hard plastic or metal cover that would latch onto the handle and seal with an o-ring.

-- FLIX
http://pritch.smugmug.com/photos/132986220-L.jpg
 
emsrescueguy, it is definitely necessary to waterproof these rods. I was playing around with one of mine and got the little paracord lanyard wet and when I put it away for the night (one night only) the next day the wet cord had literally eaten 1/8 inch deep into the rod. The gutted para covering is a good idea only if you can keep it dry or the rod waterproof.

pete
 
I'm thinking more of a hard plastic or metal cover that would latch onto the handle and seal with an o-ring.
Click to expand...

You might consider doing what I did. I took a long, small diameter piece of fatwood and drilled a hole into it the same diameter as my firesteel. I can tightly fit my firesteel into the chunk of fatwood, like a fatwood sheath. And, of course, I can shave the fatwood, if necessary, to start a fire. Add an O-ring (I'm not sure this is really necessary, with the tight fitting fatwood sheath) and you're set.

It'll be faster and easier to make, more useful, and have a nice rustic look.
 
A quick shot of spray polyurethane would do the trick. Dipping it in wax might work too. Vinyl tubing could be easier to live with than surgical tubing and you could see if there were problems inside. The tool handle "Dip-It" stuff would be really nice and might even be re-useable.

I like the fatwood idea a lot-- nothing like having the tinder right there. I guess you could duct tape some tinder to the steel and have it weatherproofed and the duct tape is tinder too.
 
Flix, that ferro-rod sock is pretty cute and will save the rod from scratches & dings from the keys.

For waterproofing, how about one of those little red caulk tube condoms (sorry, don't know mfr or real name for it) that they sell at Home Depot/Lowe's/etc? Since it will stretch enough to fit over the neck of a caulk tube nozzle, I'd think it will stretch enough to fit over a BSA mini-ferro rod. I doubt it'll fit over a 1/2"x4" fat ferro rod.

In the past I've use nail polish, clear vinyl tubing, or both. I found the vinyl tubing hard to get on. So I used it only on backup ferrocium rods where it will only be removed once, in actual emergency.
 
DaleW said:
A quick shot of spray polyurethane would do the trick. Dipping it in wax might work too. Vinyl tubing could be easier to live with than surgical tubing and you could see if there were problems inside. The tool handle "Dip-It" stuff would be really nice and might even be re-useable.

I like the fatwood idea a lot-- nothing like having the tinder right there. I guess you could duct tape some tinder to the steel and have it weatherproofed and the duct tape is tinder too.
Click to expand...

Waxing could be counterproductive if the goal is to keep the ferro rod protected for the long term. Maybe it depends on the quality, but one thing that I learned making my own waterproof matches is that whence you start cracking it, it all tends to come off pretty quickly. The wax could also be broken more inadvertantly.
 
I've never thought to keep a rod on my key ring but, with a cover on it, the idea becomes a real good option.
 
I like that fatwood sheath idea. It doesent even need to be a big chunk, it could be worked down so its only a bit bigger then the rod.
 
I cover my ferro rod with clear finger nail polish. You could use shrink tubing but sometimes that stuff is hard to get off and depending on the situation of need, could be a problem.
 
Have yall seen that rubber stuff that you can buy to dip tool handles in? I bet that would be good and durable yet easy to scrape off. Chris
 
I don't see the need to waterproof or cover the Hotspark. I have had one on my keys for 6 months with no adverse wear; in fact the keys dont scratch it very much at all. The ferro rod IS waterproof to begin with.
So why the sheaths, covers or nail polish?

I know it is fun to tweak ones gear but this seems like a pointless endeavor.
 
billym,

If your ferro rod gets wet and you promptly dry it off - no problem. If, on the other hand, it gets damp (in your pocket or pack) and sits that way, it will deteriorate.

-- FLIX
 
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