excellent mate. you did it and thats what really counts and like you said you let the ember ( coal ) grow a little more before you transfer it now, cheers
The purpose of keeping the tinder in your pocket (providing it is dry) is to help it to dry out if it is slightly wet. I've been really grateful that the stuff lights when it's windy or raining or there's a mountain lion coming to swallow me up... It was only when less experienced that I rushed to get the loosely formed ember into the tinder. I've since found it better to let the coal form to make sure it's hot and stable enough when I move it.
u dont want a perfectly round piece of wood, an 6 or even 8 sided piece is best, it is round enough for the string to move smoothly over it, but it gives it grip on the string and spindle also
Yeah putting a few straight edges on it is sometimes useful, I have done so when the cord is particularly slippy, or the drill hard. But come on folks, telling everyone what they need, and taking no notice of the fact that people use different techiniques to reach the same end is quite silly. I learnt the basics from a book by Ray Mears, but the finer points I worked out for myself, because they worked for me.
So, you make a lot of black dust and the ember is inside the black dust if there is lots of smoke coming from the black dust pile? That might have been my problem. My black dust pile wasn't large enough to hold an ember.
yes. that esentially, is it. the size of the dust pile (although, i don't call it dust because it actually should be quite grainy, and not so fine, so that it can form a structure and air can be drwn into it) need not be very large, although it does usually help if it is; what is most crucial is the temperature. this is why windy conditions are so difficult (often more than rainy conditions); during the early stages heat does not build up so easily because it is stripped away by the colder air.
too dusty... thats a problem... too grainy... thats another problem... if you get the thing to create good powder thats great, but it must also reach 800 degrees before it glows and starts growing inside the powder... alot of people get a coal and dont let it grow before moving it... then lose their coal
thanks. the hearth and drill are both from the same willow branch, working on the theory that they will be most alike and therefore that friction is maximised. conversely, for the bearing-block/socket, i used a wood which was most different to the drill wood that i could find.
i can't remember exactly what it was but i usually use something like horse chestnut, or softwood such as douglas fir, basically whatever i can find, and if i'm lazy then i find a piece of green willow. if needs be i lubricate the socket with spittle and greenery of some kind. i always make the block the same way, by splitting a thick piece of wood (roughly 6cm in diameter)and taking one half, shape it so that it isn't too uncomfortable.
Excellent job! Holding the tinder nest up at/above eye level when blowing will keep that smoke out of your eyes.
templarsoul 4 years ago
excellent mate. you did it and thats what really counts and like you said you let the ember ( coal ) grow a little more before you transfer it now, cheers
stevevox1 4 years ago
oh look, Stumptacular already said the same thing below. let it grow guys, let it grow!
experttease 4 years ago
what the heck?
you should really get that stuff ready... lol
dont make it so you have to stand up and pull it outta your pocket, cuz by then a gust of wind could blow away your embers...
and then it will start to rain, and then a mountain lion will show up
and then youll die alone in the woods and no one will ever know.
goldenlotus 4 years ago
The purpose of keeping the tinder in your pocket (providing it is dry) is to help it to dry out if it is slightly wet. I've been really grateful that the stuff lights when it's windy or raining or there's a mountain lion coming to swallow me up... It was only when less experienced that I rushed to get the loosely formed ember into the tinder. I've since found it better to let the coal form to make sure it's hot and stable enough when I move it.
experttease 4 years ago
u dont want a perfectly round piece of wood, an 6 or even 8 sided piece is best, it is round enough for the string to move smoothly over it, but it gives it grip on the string and spindle also
cabbagey7 4 years ago
Yeah putting a few straight edges on it is sometimes useful, I have done so when the cord is particularly slippy, or the drill hard. But come on folks, telling everyone what they need, and taking no notice of the fact that people use different techiniques to reach the same end is quite silly. I learnt the basics from a book by Ray Mears, but the finer points I worked out for myself, because they worked for me.
experttease 4 years ago
Cool
MadnessMunki 4 years ago
Now all i need is a perfectley circular peice of wood..
MadnessMunki 4 years ago
oh i shouldn't worry too much about that, as long as it's roughly straight and roughly round like the one above then you won't have too much trouble.
experttease 4 years ago
well done but a tip on the dragon breath blow steady and softly not so harsh
lilburnmafia 4 years ago
So, you make a lot of black dust and the ember is inside the black dust if there is lots of smoke coming from the black dust pile? That might have been my problem. My black dust pile wasn't large enough to hold an ember.
bowcatz 5 years ago
yes. that esentially, is it. the size of the dust pile (although, i don't call it dust because it actually should be quite grainy, and not so fine, so that it can form a structure and air can be drwn into it) need not be very large, although it does usually help if it is; what is most crucial is the temperature. this is why windy conditions are so difficult (often more than rainy conditions); during the early stages heat does not build up so easily because it is stripped away by the colder air.
experttease 5 years ago
too dusty... thats a problem... too grainy... thats another problem... if you get the thing to create good powder thats great, but it must also reach 800 degrees before it glows and starts growing inside the powder... alot of people get a coal and dont let it grow before moving it... then lose their coal
stumptacular 5 years ago
have you tried lubing the hand-block end of the spindle with the "snop" from your nose? (the oils on the top and sides of your nose)... try it!
stumptacular 5 years ago
good job... i like your fire board and hand socket... they look improved... can you tell us what you are using?
stumptacular 5 years ago
thanks. the hearth and drill are both from the same willow branch, working on the theory that they will be most alike and therefore that friction is maximised. conversely, for the bearing-block/socket, i used a wood which was most different to the drill wood that i could find.
experttease 5 years ago
i can't remember exactly what it was but i usually use something like horse chestnut, or softwood such as douglas fir, basically whatever i can find, and if i'm lazy then i find a piece of green willow. if needs be i lubricate the socket with spittle and greenery of some kind. i always make the block the same way, by splitting a thick piece of wood (roughly 6cm in diameter)and taking one half, shape it so that it isn't too uncomfortable.
experttease 5 years ago