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  1. Jeff Wagner

    Bow drill coal to flame challenge (High jump rules)

    With regret, I have had absolutely no time to participate in this challenge that I started. January was our busiest month to date and nearly every waking moment has been spent making fire pistons. So, I will have to concede this round and plan better for the next. If you would kindly provide me...
  2. Jeff Wagner

    Philr - Fire Piston

    Welcome Philr and glad to see your interest in the fire piston. 3/8" diameter bore is fine but a 1/2 gap at the bottom is not. Reduce the gap to zero and try again. When you have good compression you will not be able to make the piston bottom out completely. You will feel a cushion of air at the...
  3. Jeff Wagner

    Bow drill coal to flame challenge (High jump rules)

    Pounded and rubbed cedar bark makes an excellent tinder. My favorite actually. With a tiny tinder fungus coal from a fire piston it usually takes about 15 - 20 seconds to blow it into flame.
  4. Jeff Wagner

    Charred Cloth

    Here how I make indoor charcloth - at least in the winter time. [/IMG] Then into the wood stove. [/IMG] All the smoke and stink goes right up the chimney.
  5. Jeff Wagner

    Bow drill coal to flame challenge (High jump rules)

    Sorry for my absence of late. The construction of fire pistons has kept me fully occupied. More than full actually. I think this indeed a worthy challenge. Rich, I have not yet had an opportunity to focus on our last ( number of strokes ) challenge but I have not forgotten and the month is...
  6. Jeff Wagner

    Tinder Fungus Advice

    Thats great news. I also forgot that its quite common in Siberia.
  7. Jeff Wagner

    Tinder Fungus Advice

    Mike - I believe Inonotus obliquus grows only in the US. However, I have it on good authority that Cramp Balls makes a suitable alternative in the UK - at least for fire piston fodder.
  8. Jeff Wagner

    Stoneage firemaking

    The ability to venture into the wilderness and make fire using only the materials provided by nature is certainly a worthy endeavor and one that few possess. I can do it by hand drill, but the fire gods have to be smiling at that moment. I suggest the bow drill offers greatest probability for...
  9. Jeff Wagner

    Bow Drill Not Easy

    Oops - You must have Poplar in Vermont. I suggest getting out and cutting a dead limb from one. You can make both the spindle and board from the same piece. Use your harder fire woods to make the bearing.
  10. Jeff Wagner

    Bow Drill Not Easy

    Not to make light of this, however I suggest its a bit like flint knapping - Once you know how....its not so difficult. There are clearly a couple of critical design and form elements. You need to fashion a set-up that eliminates string slippage and you have to be able to hold the bearing block...
  11. Jeff Wagner

    Home made fire pistons: Leaking wooden piston rods

    I have used Bloodwood, Ebony, Granadillo, Lignum Vitae, Desert Ironwood and Bubinga with good results. As for native species - I have been meaning to give hickory and ironwood ( American Hornbeam ) a try, but to be honest, I have been so busy actually making pistons over that past couple of...
  12. Jeff Wagner

    Home made fire pistons: Leaking wooden piston rods

    Tom - You are on the right track. Porosity is a big problem when using wood. I know a fellow who managed to seal a porous wood using pitch by the way.
  13. Jeff Wagner

    Fire Bow Challenge

    No editing here. I noticed the discrepancy but did not wish to detract from the good work you guys are doing. I guess the counting method should not matter all that much so long as we all count the same way.
  14. Jeff Wagner

    Fire Bow Challenge

    That's great work Rich! And, you did it left handed too..... :)
  15. Jeff Wagner

    Fire Bow Challenge

    Well done Bob. Het Nederlandse hout is een goed Engels. :)
  16. Jeff Wagner

    Gasketless Fire Piston

    I dont show any recent shipments to the UK. Is it one of ours?
  17. Jeff Wagner

    Gasketless Fire Piston

    If frequent application of lube has become necessary, perhaps its time to rewind the gasket. With extended use of charcloth, tiny carbon particles work their way into the fibers and interfere with sealing. If you care to send it over for a check up I would be happy to give an overhaul...
  18. Jeff Wagner

    Flaming frustrated!

    Actually, you dont even need a knife. Here is making fire with wood shavings and a sharp stone. My 2 cents worth is to hold the steel stationary ( I like to rest the tip against something ) and make short scratches as opposed to long scrapes...
  19. Jeff Wagner

    Scrimshaw (Teach me how!)

    I was rummaging around and came across this pendant I made many years ago on elephant ivory. [/IMG]
  20. Jeff Wagner

    Fire Bow Challenge

    Thank you Longstrider. I gratefully accept the offer. PM sent. You can post you video here by the way... http://photobucket.com/