Main Discussion Area > Primitive Skills
Friction Fire
Forest_Farmer:
Bob, you could be right about the dampness. It's rained here off and on for the last week. I'll let the spindle I failed with dry out for a week and then give it a try again.
You are also correct about carrying an ember. I also believe that if they got a good working kit together they would take care of it.
I plan to make a nice elm bark tubular case / quiver for my kit, complete with a lid to keep moisture out.
Outbackbob48:
Just tried a new combonation today :o Cattail spindle on white cedar hearth an hate to admit it but I failed to get a coal. :( I had plenty of dust and quite a bit of smoke, but I ran out of gas a tad to early, one other thing that I believe cattail base are a little thicker diamiter than I like. My spindle was a full 1/2" dia. and may have led to my early running out of steam. i have been told that just a few inches of the base is good after that gets to soft and fiberous as you wear down your spindles. i will let ya know after a little more expermenting. Going out to shed to flesh some deer hides, That will help the old arm strength ;) :o Bob
PEARL DRUMS:
I got my first hand drill coal a few weeks ago. That was very cool. I used a yucca spindle and basswood hearth. It was surprisingly fast. I think my good buddy Josh may have soaked the yucca in jet fuel before he sent it. That stuff is amazing.
Forest_Farmer:
Its back yard bonfire weather down here in TN, and I've been making all my fires with the bow drill. It's a bit tougher when it's very cold and damp, but still doable.
My luck lately hasn't been as good with the hand drill. Lots of smoke but my hands / arms Peter out before I get a coal.
I've recently had fun with a bow drill using a large 3/4" mullein spindle on white cedar hart board. You talk about a quick coal,,,,seconds. I will try to make a " mini bow drill set" with a normal 5/16" Dia horseweed spindle and white cedar hearth board. I think if the spindle is short and you have a good top bearing block you could do it with breaking the spindle.
I'll keep you posted.
PEARL DRUMS:
Ed, Josh sent me what I would call a leather thong for the hand drill. It hooks over the top and your index fingers go in each loop. It wont allow your hands to ride downward so you have constant friction.
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