help with bowdrill set

[ArcherW0lF]

1th ya I now its rong Im still leaning english you FUckER!

[GazerGirl70]

You may need some dry grass in the little hole and some on the bottom like the dryer cotton.

[Buzzardbushcraft]

Use willow hearth and willow spindle,or basswood or cottonwood hearth and spindles..your technique is very very good, you will get it eventually.

[TEHTYMEKITTEH1]

The air is not getting to it.

[solveigz]

Dear Bushcrafft. I bought and read the book 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn. There I read an article by Will Richardson Navigating social network as learning tools. In the article he told me about you and how clever you are finding your way to gain knowledge you really need. I have to thank you because I am a teacher an I have used your video to show other teachers how clever and skillful children can be if they are interested in the subject. Best regard from Iceland :)

[filmstripstudios1]

you have to do it longer then 20 sec

[unalphabet]

try making a split in the wood make sure its about 1/4 inch wide or about that then use the stick place inbeetween crack try that with tinder on the bottom of crack

[Daracoz619]

Hey dude , 6 year fire maker a few tips 1 start off slow with alot of down presure, 2 make sure the spindel is on the outside of the string,3 keep long even level strokes, pm me if u need more help and i have 4 words u should think EVERY time you bow drill: I Think I Can.

[HOG120]

Shorter spindle about 9 inches long, longer bow lenght armpit to fingertip,form! Brace your hand agaist your shin so the handpiece is stable,

[dmonpitbull3]

Hey buddy, did you ever get anything figured out with this? If not, shoot me a message and Ill make a video for you on what works well to use and how to use it. Good try though! We never learn unless we try! Good on ya!

[Snbkr]

longer bow, start off slow, lubricate the top of the spindle so there's less friction (u can use spit) hardwood spindle, soft wood fire board, go until ur arm hurts and then keep going, tighten ur bow cord so u can use more pressure and still spin the spindle

[navalcuban]

use different wood buddy, that stuff looks like treated plywood..you'll have better luck with dead (dry) timber you find on the forrest floor..try shortening your spindle as well..to much leaverage creates an unbalanced spindle. hope this helps

[BADNEWS91261]

you should use a top rock instead using a top block,

[gigglebuggirl]

I can help you.............. you are also using the wrong type of wood...i mean if you want it to work good and fast

[LeeRyan94]

hey, i understand ur problem. . make sure that the spindle is sharp. its got to be sharp before any smoke appears. the spindle will need to be hardwood. the fire board must be soft wood. soft wood means easily carved.. to use less effort and a longer spin. try extending ur hand fully. the contact with the bow has got to be tightened. and make sure you but a downward pressure on the handboard to maximise contact with the fire board yeah, i hope that this had helped u:D remember! sharp spindle!!!

[Haugen97843]

well first start slow and build up dust hen give it all you got and maybe your just not pushing hard enouth down and try a new whole

[stevebushido]

Hi Bushkraft, nice try on the fire set dont give up. I noticed your tip of the spindle was burnt on the edges. Try making it a little more round you dont want it completely flat. When you start getting smoke keep going and then start applying a little more preasure. Get a biger birds nest, that will be to small,try some jute twine and unravel it. You may want to get a difrent piece of wood. Coton wood would be great. Cedar is good but it does require a good form. Your doing great:)

[xmarionxlea]

I'm sitting here with my four friends and we all bow drill. We all agree that the spindle and the fire board should be made from soft woods... Cedar works really well. The spindle could work better if you put it on the outside of the bow. Also, try keeping your bow lower. Your spindle should reach the tip of your thumb to the tip of your pinky when your fingers are fully spread out.

Good luck dude :)

[gruvinnz]

Did you eventually have success with this? Would like to know.

Personally, I've not yet managed fire or even a good coal. But I do get lots of smoke (using pine for both hearth and spindle) in only a few seconds. So I'd say, if you're not getting smoke after half a minute or so, stop and save your energy, as something is wrong.

I've since watched some more tutorials and am looking forward to having another go.

All the best!

[dustydogg337]

You could be using the wrong type of wood. Sage is good.

[billarakas]

Maybe the wood is fake.

[HandsomeSasquatch]

I have a problem with placing the drill into the string because every time the string breaks do you have any suggestions?

[billarakas]

@HandsomeSasquatch 1st:when you tie put the spindle from the other way or don't tie the bow too tight.hope it helps!

[sutrar]

In addition to having the upper drill end pointed, lubricate the hole in the upper block by crushing some green leaves in the depression for the drill (using the pointed drill end).

[sutrar]

Is your drill made of spruce? If yes, for God's sake, avoid spruce!!! Use cedar as well. Unfortunately, spruce, though being widespread, is one of the worst woods to use. You may also want to cut small shavings off the sides of the drill to roughen the surface where the string is moving. This limits string slippage. The upper end of the drill must be pointed (minimum contact surface with the upper wood block, the lower end must be blunt (to increase friction with the fireboard).

[TubeEdgility]

#edgility this is an example

[ken18328]

Go to Bushcraft On Fire. There Dave Wendell explains how to make a bow drill set. This is the best and easiest to understand tutorial. He has 2 separate sets of instruction on bow drill and even one on hand drill. Check out Bushcraft On Fire, Wilderness Outfitters, and Slamaxe channels. There are also some other real good ones out there too. Good luck. ( PS Lowes has cedar boards.)

[shosha101390]

look at How to Make a Bow Drill Fire - Overview and Technique - Part Four

[codvideomaster1]

how you did not show your face in the video and learning outside of school

[codvideomaster1]

You should wath another video close to yours

[codvideomaster1]

My friend says hi

[codvideomaster1]

I am doing a homework assignment on you with our class.

[bushkrafft]

@codvideomaster1 wow really? that cool whats it about?



[cbdoobie]

I had the same problem as you. It looks like you're using hardwood lumber from the store. Trying finding softer wood from natural sources for the hearth and drill. It won't last as long, but lends itself better to friction fires.

[usnavysealsguy]

carve both hands of the spindle to a point then put a pinch of sand or gravel in the hole

[iworkforme]

it ain't easy but u r persistant. the only way my son and I acheived smoke was to help each other......... but then I put the spindle into my drill chuch and in short time got smoke....so to me it seemed all about speed. alas it may have a lot to do with wood species and certainly dryness of timber....I know for a fact it's not easy, so don't feel bad.

[mmiller6465]

ALSO! lol MAKE SURE that you make then end of the spindle that goes on the fireboard a point at about a 45 degree angle, the top of the spindle needs to be pointed at a very gradual angle like... 20 degree angle to reduce friction at the top

[mmiller6465]

ALSO THIS IS KEY (for me anyways) in the beginning build up dust by using alot of downward pressure with slow spinning, this will grind dust into the notch, once you get the dust in the notch let off downward pressure and increase the speed, this will increase the temperature of the dust in the notch without building alot more, also as i said before if you shorten your spindle you can get over top of it allowing you to add more downward pressure, I have a video but it DOESNT explain how i did it

[mmiller6465]

try a shorter spindle, for practive use a SHOT GLASS to hold your spindle at the top! try to make sure notch is centered and is cut just before the center of your drill hole, also notch should be slightly wider at the bottom and NOT as deep as the top, this will help build up the dust easier. groove your spindle into an octagon shape if slippage occurs, try to find a bow that has a natural curve in it, this will help you regulate the tension

[switter1999]

The wood your are using looks like pine, you say cedar, but try softer wood. some that easily indents with your fingernail. And must be super dry!

[manuel6812]

put a life in the botome and make it diper

[fstwrtr]

put a little lube on your block, it may have to much resistance not allowing your spindle to spin fast enough also, you may want to reduce the diameter of your spindle to increase the speed it spins

[fstwrtr]

put a little lube on your block, it may have to much resistance not allowing your spindle to spin fast enough

[Tegulicious]

Has the wood you're using been treated with some type of chemical? I notice you're not using materials you've found in nature but instead what you've found at home depot, that might have something to do with it. I would also like to point out that your feet aren't dirty enough, have you noticed in other peoples videos just how dirty their feet are? Maybe if you use more natural materials and get your feet dirty I bet you'll be on your way to starting that fire!!

[dualsurvivalfan26]

you dont want the spindel on the inside of the string

[wgdd3]

You are doing great keep it up you want to start slowly long strokes then faster friction keep going takes time and then bingo you can put the enbers in you bundle and kindle a bit at a time you will learn to be a survivalist good work I am proud of your accomplishments I am ojibway

[tetlamed]

I know that you probably have it down by now, but I thought that I might be able to help anyway. First of all, use a branched stick. Attach one end to the branch, one end to part of the base stick. This gives you more room, and lets you make the string tighter, which is better, because the tighter, the more friction. Second of all, you need to cut a small triangular notch into the side, I'm not sure if you did that, third of all, you need more pressure. Look at the next part below.

[TheStpatricksday]

the stick goes on the out side of the bow and string

[lanewoods]

Did you ever make fire? Please post a follow up video.

[lvondrasek]

why  not look at this informative video?

Making a bowdrill set with Cody Lundin

[maidlover1]

press do a little harder and and move the bow faster

[MysteryMan159]

a few pointers

- shorten your spindle a bit, maybe 1/2 the size of what it is now

- lock your wrist against your leg so it doesn't wiggle around

- lean on your hand held to increase pressure

- when starting off, don't go fast, just draw it back and forth while applying enough pressure to generate blackish brown dust

- when it starts to smoke, keep at the same pace (maybe a tiny bit faster) til your notch is filled with dust

- once your notch is full give it 10-15 fast strokes good luck!

[thealf101]

The string on the bow is to loose

[ArtisanTony]

Did you figure it out? What type of wood are you using. Try cedar. I think it is great that you are trying at such a young age. Good job!

[WaterBetweenStones]

The other end of your spindle: taper it more, almost to a point. Now the entire end looks charred = friction. You want as little friction as possible. Give it just enough "point" to hold it in place, with as little wood to wood contact as possible. Rub this "point" down the cease of your nose, getting some skin grease on it. It should eventually have a shiny glaze, with very little char. Use the hardest wood you can for the handhold, just enough of a divot to hold the spindle.

[WaterBetweenStones]

The side of the spindle |fire-board looks a bit squared off. Further evident in your fire board with a ring of black just at the edges. Round this side so that it fits tightly and completely within the fire-board hole, increasing the amount of wood on wood contact. You have it right when the entire tip of the spindle is charred. Make sure not to touch that side of the spindle as grease from your skin can reduce the friction. Once it gets smooth and black, rough it up slightly.

[WaterBetweenStones]

I see two potential trouble spots, both having to do with the actual spindle design..

The length of size of your spindle I don't think matters. I've seen giant spindles, Ive seen tiny thin spindles...it's about the contact of the spindle on each end that makes it work.

[desertsurvivalist]

Are you using store-bought wood? I have found that wood from lumberyards really doesn't work very well. Something about the way it is dried and treated. You will need to go harvest from the woods. Cedar on cedar works, Aspen board with willow spindle works good. Willow spindle and poplar board works decently. I have herd about using pine on pine as long as it is not too resinous, I personally do not use this combination. It depends mostly where you are and what is available.

[Shaowolf247]

i did this like you but the board you are using is far too hard. you need a less harder board just search in the wood you'll find there something

[carpmanager1]

find a seashell or clam shell for your barring block. the shell has very little friction compared to your wooden one, and it does not burn down that end of the spindle.

[Truesk8r101]

u noe that thing you hold at the top? well you need to lubricate it so it reduces friction at the top and you need to spin faster, lastley u need to puta nod dry leaf of a chuck of wood under to collect the charcol dust then wen it smokes you take it out and put it in your tinderbundle.

[pauldude000]

Just a few other things to help you out. Put the fire-board on a dry green leaf, and do not put the tinder in the 'v' shaped notch. The notch is to collect carbonized wood created by the friction of your spindle abrading the fire-board. A pile of blackish wood dust will accumulate in the notch, which you want.

You will know when you have the right fire-board material, as you should have smoke pouring out the way you were doing it within 30 to 60 seconds. If you have questions, just e-mail me.

[pauldude000]

Cedar is the problem. Do not use pitchy or oily woods (Cedars, many pines, etc...) for either the fire-board or spindle. The oils create a lubrication at the joint, and prevent heat buildup. You could spin one all day with no coal produced.

No special woods needed, so long as you remember not to use pitchy woods, and that your spindle should be harder wood than the fire-board.

You CAN learn to do it, it is easy. Friction fire is not the brain surgery some make it out to be.

[carpmanager1]

@pauldude000 , cedar actually works pretty darn good. I use a cedar spindle with great success. You are generally right though.

[nostoppingnow]

bye a lighter.

[Verradonairun]

the wood that you drill into is too hard, try some softer woods, and also don't blow all your energy in the beginning, start out slower, and then work your way up. good luck with it ;-)

[bc0wful]

try some softer wood for the hearth, it will be easier. but make sure to have hardwood as the spindle makes it much easier. even though i haven't done this before, i have watched a ton of videos on how to so i guess i have a good idea of whats needed

[jhominid]

Hey there. I don't know if you've been successful yet, but if not, here's a couple pointers: A curved, but rigid bow allows you to grasp the bow and the string at the same time, so you can adjust the string tension by squeezing. A short ( 6 inch or so ) spindle gives you more control, because a fair bit of downward pressure is needed for good friction. The spindle and hearth should be made of woods of roughly equal hardness for best friction. -Good Luck!

[bjoost]

Great video

Great way to use YouTube as a learning resource.

[1Alchemistic]

I think you should get a big E for effort!

I actually enjoyed your fire with bow drill video more than most! I applaud you!

At least you knew the concept and gave it your all.

There's great advice here, good bunch of people!

[nicknoface]

lol 0:40 thatz wat she said !!!! :D

[Shade1541]

your too slow speed up and get a curved bow wood

[justina9876]

its called a lighter buddy

[fireball1113]

1 u need a guider to the rope

2 there should be a rock ontop

[southbraves1983]

when you get a smaller spindle, start off at a medium pace. that allows the wood dust to fill up your hole. once its full then you can go fast and that will heat up and create a good coal.

[SurvivalEye]

hey buddy looks like you got it down pretty much if you havent resolved your problem yet the few things i would sugest is starting from scratch i would say your spindile was to long but you seemed to held it pretty straight and useing the right woods but it would help if your spindile was a lil sharper at the hearth board and id say just make your on set out of popular, sassafrass, or cedar from some woods and be sure that its seasoned but not rotting let me know how it works out go get em

[scarz1951]

Some store bought cedar is treated with a fire retardent and will not create the ember you need. If possible switch to wood that you collect from the bush. Willow and cottonwood are good as are basswood and all the cedars. If the hearth board is store bought then that be your problem. Good luck and don't give up.

[a1rsoftp0wn3r]

oh man thanks i was using store bought cedar and i was getting mad and it would not work but i got it smoking tho

[scarz1951]

That fire retardant will put the skids to a bow drill fire even before you start. Looks like all you need is some better wood for your hearth. My favorites are cottonwood and willow, bit a willow spindle with an older yucca hearth (one that grew large enough to lose the pith) is almost as good as a match. Good luck.

[101TiYH101]

You need to keep going fast

[wfryer]

Hey great work. I am sitting in a workshop with 250 teachers and school leaders in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Bruce Dixon just showed all of us part of your video. Thanks for sharing your skills and techniques, and being willing to ask for help too. Good luck to you.

[ralfsnart]

No advice but was wondering if you finally made it work? :)

[TAC1ONE]

Try putting a a more pointed end on the bottom of the spindle to focus the friction and heat in a smaller more concentrated area. Also the bow string itself is probly slipping and not giving you all the proper stroke. Try tightening the bow a bit.

[asheradensein]

Processed wood is chemically treated, so it has a higher burning point. Use natural, dead wood.

[jorguno]

i think you would have more success with dry wood from the forest! the wood you have there may be treated and wil not work as good or not at all.

[cadet53ok]

- you're set up just fine with left foot on the board, and how the bow is held.

- - wood must be bone dry

- put some earwax on the spindle top, but NONE on the bottom, where you need friction.

- Grab bow and string together, near the end, so that you can squeeze them together to keep it from slipping - - lets you press down harder.

- It takes a few short strokes to get spindle and hole mated, then use long strokes.

6) I put the notched hole right over the tinder- -never had a problem.

[jefallijay]

only tip i have for you is to use natrual wood and what i mean by that is, try using dry sticks from the woods, i noticed when i used processed wood, which is wood like your drill and bow, it has been chemically treated and seems alot harder to get a nice coal. So basically using a dowl rod on a 2x4 would be alot harder. hope that helps some.

[dbkilburn1]

Hey! I think it is so cool that you are doing this on your own!

Your fireboard should be about the thickness of the large bone in your thumb.

Your spindle is too long

It might also help if it was a little thicker.

Try making the bottom rounder, and make sure that it is burnished (blackened)

Use a lot (!!!) of pressure!.

Catch the coal on a leaf, and then add it to the tinder bundle.

Make the string a little tighter on your bow, and use the full length, not just a little.

And practice!! Good luc

[oline73oline73oline7]

Love this video. I am a teacher and it just gave me an idea for a lesson for next year. I always want to find ways for students to "pull" information as opposed to it being "pushed" at them. Thanks for the inspiration. Wish I knew anything that could help you back!

[countryboycutlery]

Im no pro but I did know a older indian fellow cherokee i believe his nam was Dan and I watched him do the bow drill and regular hand spinning...he had a shorter striker than u......but interesting nun the less it takes time to master...keep it up!

5*

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Hey pal, a couple things for you:

1. Shorten the spindle to be the distance from your pinky to your thumb when your hand is fully spread. That alone will produce results because you need more pressure that is impossible to get with a long spindle.

2: Wind your spindle so that it wraps to the outside of the bow rather than the inside... this will give you a much more free ability to stroke.

3: Go all the way forward and all the way backward... and gradually increase pressure as you go

[dofair]

First its easyier if you use your knee to hold the wood. You have the right poster but the wrong wood. You need wood like pine. or something softer. Take a look at my video of me using a bow drill I had a flame in under a minute. I also have videos of me using flint and steal.

[deerhunterp]

You need to apply more pressure

[BCNW1]

Hi, you have a few problems right off the bat that can be easily corrected. First your drill needs to be on the outside of your bowstring,not on the inside as you show here. Also, the notch needs to be cut like a slice of pie the stops just short of the center (yours is off to the side). You should also see smoke after about 20 seconds of drilling, so you may not be applying enough pressure (hard to say without being there). You have the most important thing which is perseverance.

Good Luck! ML

[NCHiker1970]

There are a lot of vdeos here on Youtube that explain how this should be done. Move your tinder out of the way and wait for the smoke to start and when you get a coal tap it into the tinder. I agree with Bill I think your blocking the airflow. One very important thing ... practice!

[MrBillTroop73]

I havent done this since I was a boy, but I will try to help you with what I remember. We used red cedar for spindle and hearth board. It should be very dry.

The bottom of the spindle should be mated to the hole surface so there is maximum contact area to produce the moist char powder.

It looks like your dryer lint tinder is blocking airflow to the notch. Set a leaf, or cloth under the hearth board to catch a pile of char powder, then transfer the pile to your nest of dryer lint tinder.

[MrBillTroop73]

LOL

Paragraph 2 should have read "produce the MOST char powder"

I hope this helps,

Bill

[CATmover1]

Keep working at it. Just like you, I haven't had any success either! I'm gonna share a vid of a guy who does this and makes it look easy... hope it helps!

5*

Ed

[sealofwisdom]

i think you need a fatter spindle or the hole is deeper than your spindle point because i can see that the edge of your hole is burntbut not the middle

[ravenel27]

@sealofwisdom I agree the spindle that seems to work best for me is about 3/4" in diameter