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Hand Drill Positions

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Kegan:
Well, I've tried it twice now- first time with mullien, second with goldenrod. First time it took me about ten seconds and I had a huge coal glowing without any blowing. second was a large coal with minimal fanning after twwenty seconds or so. I'm hooked ;). Gonna try a bigger drill, thicker and longer. See if it makes any difference.

Fire fun, ooga booga.

John R:
I have an easier time with horseweed than mullein but could be a personal thing. I hate to admit that I cheat sometimes, but when it's damp, I make a little mouth piece with a divot for the top of the drill that I hold in my teeth. It lets me use more pressure and I don't have to stop spinning to move back up. It may sound odd, but I also favor a pretty small diameter drill over a larger one that used to use with a bow drill before I stopped using it in favor of the hand drill.

Kegan:
John R- the mouth piece ain't sheating, just a bit of daredeviling. I keep worriying about getting my eye. The thumb loops over the top worked better for me. I still have to check for horseweed (might have it, might be something else- looks like it though). What diameter are you using? 3/8" seems to work really well for me.

jamie:
kegan i think you should try the wet test now that youve been doing it for awhile. dunk the board and drill in a bucket of water for 5 minutes shake off the excess water and get a coal. itll teach you to use damp material in the wild.

john if you only go half way down the drill you can walk your hands back up it with out stopping. its great for heating the board especially for what i just told kegan to do.

Kegan:
Jamie- I'll have to try that. I keep wanting to get better and yet that hasn't occured to me- thanks :)!

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