smaller mag block

G

grobe

Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
228
does anyone know if you can somehow cut the mag block on a doan fire tool to retain about 1/3 of the mag block with the striker still attached?? it'd be nice to have the mag block for tinder as opposed to just carrying say a small firesteel in a small pouch kit. i'm thinking specifically of a kit based on a neck knife, with a slimmer mag block held against the sheath with ranger bands. if you have any ideas, let me know.

thanks
 
Easy to do with a hacksaw - I've done it a couple of times. I've both cut through the striker (kinda spooky, but never had the mag block light) and lengthwise through the magnesium.

Piece o' cake. :thumbup:
 
Yeah me too, I cut one in half and broke the striker with a chisel to the right size, just score it first a few times with a hacksaw to ensure the break is clean. Then I JB welded it back on (It was a Coughlan not a Doan)
 
Do any of you guys think that pieces of a VW block has enough Mag. in it to be utilized of fire starters? I have three old VW blocks that I can cut up and they come cheap too. If this works just a chunk would be a life time supply.
 
In the book build the perfect survival kit there is a round one that the author has and it looks like what you might be looking for but I dont know where he got it from. Anyone else seen these? I want one for my key chain.
Wade
 
mewolf1 said:
Do any of you guys think that pieces of a VW block has enough Mag. in it to be utilized of fire starters? I have three old VW blocks that I can cut up and they come cheap too. If this works just a chunk would be a life time supply.
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There was some speculation somewhere that some "magnesium" blocks seem extra hard to shave because of too much aluminum in the mix. Wouldn't an engine block, being mostly aluminum, be pretty hard compared to a genuine Doan Tool?
 
That's what I was wondering, guess I gotta try. Cuts pretty easy with a knife,but I'm not sure how well it will ignite. I'll let you know.
 
I've cut the blocks with a cutting disc on a Dremel. The small piece of magnesium provides support for the thin ferrocerium rod which tends to snap after it's been worn down a bit. I've also cut the rod, itself, with the same equipment and drilled holes as well. I spray the rod with water constantly while cutting or drilling. Otherwise the sparks will fly like the 4th of July.
 
Blade - Tec also sell the WSI version.

Also try the Cutlery Shoppe they sell the mini mag bars with strikers I think they call them Military match. They're about $10.00
 
Thomas Linton said:
If this works it'll be the Motherload.
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I'm building a half Vdub engine for an ultralight and while cutting off pieces I saved all the dust(fun stuff)and had it in a baggie. Saved all the chunks too.
Went to the garage just now and tried to start the powder/ filings with my lighter, but I don't think that there is enough "spark" from a lighter( this gives me another idea I'll get too in a moment) so I mixed in 50/50 saw dust. Happened to be oak but I think pine would be better. BIC sparks still inadequate,so I just lit the stuff.WHOA! Hot stuff!:thumbup: I again think that if a "real" sparker was used that the out come would be great. You could even rub it into balls with PJ:D

The other Idea I got when tryin to light the stuff was: I go through a lot of lighters( I smoke a pipe) and there is alot of flint left when the butane is gone. Why can't I scavange these and glue them in a trough routed out in a peice of VW Mag block? I'm kind of a cheapskate, or thrifty, ya thats it, thrifty;) If I can make it, I hate to buy it. More fun that way and I figure I'm better equipped "just in case".
 
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