Bow drill semi-success!

[Draven]

Jeeeez my arms are burning!

OK, it was 11pm, raining outside, but I really wanted to learn something new. I've been practicing fire using feathersticks and a firesteel for the last few days and can do that relatively consistantly now...
So I figured I'd start on fire by friction!
Unfortunately I haven't got any trees in the immediate vicinity (and I wouldn't be able to see a thing anyway) so I had to use what I have lying around. Pine and a bootlace...
All simple construction, just made it in a few minutes with my Clipper. Took me ages to figure out the best way of doing this (considered hand drilling and the 'arm drill' but settled on bow drill). Multiple failures (one of which resulting in the handpiece smoking where the drill was rubbing against it rather than the hearth!) but after about 45-50 mins I got smoke Unfortunately I didn't get a coal, only dust.... will need to try a different wood next time I guess. But still, I've got a moderate feeling of success

 

[Moonraker]

Keep going Draven! You will get there

Pine is not the easiest wood to use for this. Plenty of threads around about fire drill etc. Hazel or other woods may give you better results. And try to get it as dry as possible.

I know you can do it

 

[Ogri the trog]

If you've got smoke, you're not far away.
Keep at it, just like the feathersticks and you'll have success soon enough.
The guy who taught me got smoke on his third stroke of the bow, so it will get easier and quicker.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Ed]

(one of which resulting in the handpiece smoking where the drill was rubbing against it rather than the hearth!)

This happens to quite a few people..... because the top of the drill is cut to a point to reduce friction on the top, being only a point means more pressure on that point... hence you will get smoke there first. Just use something to lubricate the top of the drill/bearing block .... any waxy leaves (holly for example) will do or even a little spit.


Ed

 

[leon-b]

you'll get there soon just keep trying
leon

 

[Ed]

Unfortunately I didn't get a coal, only dust....

what colour was your dust? When you start getting a fine black powder you are almost there.... a little more downward pressure and you'll have your coal.

Ed

 

[Graham_S]

don't use spit to lubricate the bearing block. it makes the end of the drill swell causing more friction.
try "nose grease"
rotate the bearing block end of the drill in the crease of your face where your nose meets your cheek. the natural oils found there are quite effective.

 

[dommyracer]

First itme I got a coal, I had trouble with too much friction on the bearing block. My drill ended up about 50% shorter because of the constant resharpening.

 

[Draven]

Thanks folks, I'll have another go soon, and I'll try to find a better wood

 

[Temper]

Did you get a lot of 'Screeching'? Pine is pretty poor for a bow drill because of the resin.

Next time, look for a stone to use as a bearing, if you can find a crease in a stone from a past break it will work ok. You can also split a stick and fit a flat pebble (Like a tennis racket) in that and use your fingers as the wall of the bearing to stop the drill from moving. It takes time to learn but in an afternoon you will have a good idea of what works well. I have found a wooden bearing a pain in the *** and a stone to be very easy to find and much more suitable. When I moved from wooden bearings to stone sucess first time was 100%

Willow is pretty good for a drill, if you can find some cedar or similar then you will get an ember very fast <20 seconds.

 

[kb31]

stay well away from pine- to much resin if you what a f1 set cut a bit off a bar of soap-put it in yonr hand hold- put a good long point on your drill .try to get a hard wood for your handhold something with a heart to it lasts alot longer the soap bit's is in one of ray books so it's not cheating! for backyard firelighting you can use cotton wool n paper if ya can't get hold of much just keep a bit of wood handy to put it out! bit of ply wood etc also don't do it with windows open! set smoke alarms off!! how do i know that ??

 

[eraaij]

Hmm strange advice - to stay away from Pine - . I have had excellent success with both Pine and Spruce, but you need to investigate the wood first for resin content. Some pieces of Pine are loaded with resin, others aren't. Depends on the tree. My advice would be to experiment with every piece of wood you can lay your hands on and write down the results.


-Emile

 

[addyb]

Or if you're weird and old fashioned like I am and use brylcreem in your hair instead of gel, rub the block end of the spindle in there. Hair grease works even better than nose grease.

Adam