sawdust tinder??

[Wilderbeast]

Would you be able to use sawdust as tinder for a firesteel??
Cheers in advance
Will

 

[h2o]

Try it !!!!

 

[SimonM]

Sawdust is difficult to burn because when in a pile it can not get enough oxygen to sustain the flame.

I would imagine it will take a spark, but will go out quickly.

Give it a go and let us know!

Simon

 

[Rothley Bill]

Not sure, I often use shavings from handplanes as they work quite well.
But i have not tried sawdust, it will depend upon the species and the dryness of the dust. Of couse fine dust mixed with air can be explosive so I guess it may work.

 

[Wilderbeast]

how does maya tinder work then??

 

[SimonM]

It is high in resin but is a pain to use. The slightest breeze and it is gone.

You are better off buying maya sticks and making fine shavings. These takes a spark like a dream. I have been using the same pack of sticks for about 2 years and still have plenty left!

Simon

 

[stewpot]

It is high in resin but is a pain to use. The slightest breeze and it is gone.

You are better off buying maya sticks and making fine shavings. These takes a spark like a dream. I have been using the same pack of sticks for about 2 years and still have plenty left!

Simon

You don't need anymore then. In UK it cost about £3 a packet, I can buy in Mexico, same amount, as sticks, for about 35p if you wanted any.
Everybody uses it over here. Its a beautiful tree, the Ocote, shame in some areas they have disappeared they use it that much.

stew

 

[John Fenna]

I use wood dust and old oil mix - works fine!
I keep it in a sealed container,and use about 1 tablespoonful as a fire starter.
The oil burns from the dust - like a wick I guess - and then the dust glows away happily

 

[rik_uk3]

you can add melted candle wax with sawdust to make fire lighters. Mould them in an old egg box

 

[Fraxinus]

I have had success with the drilling "swarth" from around live knots found in pine used for carcassing work on building sites. Due to its resin content it lights readily and a teaspoon full will burn for around two to three minutes. Check out a skip near you there is sure to be some knotty offcuts in there to play with. ;-)

 

[Gray]

Yeah it catches but has to be fed quickly wth small kindling

 

[brancho]

It depends what kind of wood its from but yeh

Plane machine shavings work OK as they have a bit more air in them.