chartube tutorial

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,322
247
55
Wiltshire


Tools Required (this is not a definitive list but the basics)



· Pipe cutter (or hacksaw)

· Small round / half round file

· Vice

· Hammer

· ‘Smooth’ flat file

· Small drill bit ~3mm

· Drill

· Strong scissors

· Small pliers (not essential but makes things easier)



Materials



· 15mm copper plumbing pipe

· small keyring

· 1” lamp wick






Method


1. cut a 25mm length of pipe ( I have used a pipe cutter because I have one but a hacksaw would do just as well)

dscf0721ab2.jpg


2. file the end smooth and ensure there is no sharp edge on the inside (this will catch the wick)




3. open vice to around 10mm (the aim is to find the smallest size that will just ‘grab’ the pipe without pushing it out

dscf0727km7.jpg


4. press down firmly and close the jaws to crush part of the tube (approx a 3rd I guess)



5. you should now have a completely crushed bit of tube (between the jaws) and an oval piece of tube above

dscf0730wv6.jpg


6. gently tap the oval tube down till it is as round as you can make it




7. you should now have a tube with a ‘tag’ sticking out one side



8. file the corners of the tag so they are rounded andsmooth and won’t catch everything



9. drill a hole to take the keyring



10. file the burr smooth



11. insert the keyring in the hole (I find it easiest to use small pliers)



12. cut a piece of wick about 80mm long



13. roll the wick tightly



14. inset wick into tube with a ‘screwing’ action (it should be a tightish fit)



15 .chartube is complete,you just need to ‘prime’ and ignite it prior to using properly



dscf0754hx3.jpg


Hope all this makes sense / is easy to follow.Please ask questions if there is something you cant follow!



Also thanks to my wife for ‘modelling’ for me and appologies for the poor photos!

 
Last edited:

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,322
247
55
Wiltshire
btw I have what will be my final batch (now you all know how to make your own! ;) ) of 6 to 'pass forward'

Dean2 has already asked / bagged one so I have another 5 available to the next people to pm me:)

  1. dean2
 

Andy J

Forager
Oct 28, 2006
112
0
65
north wales
Fantastic!! could I have one Please, Graham? you mention priming, is this just charring the and, or more involved? Thanks very much, Andy Jenkins
 

clcuckow

Settler
Oct 17, 2003
795
1
Merseyside, Cheshire
One thing that I have experenced with chartubes are that they work great well when they are new but if you are not carefull they are prone to damp. Wick will...Wick.
 

Mikey P

Full Member
Nov 22, 2003
2,257
12
53
Glasgow, Scotland
Andy J said:
Fantastic!! could I have one Please, Graham? you mention priming, is this just charring the and, or more involved? Thanks very much, Andy Jenkins

Yeah - at the risk of appearing ignorant, what do we do with it?
 

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,322
247
55
Wiltshire
ok the list so far is.........

  1. dean2
  2. andyw
  3. andy j
  4. ady05
  5. British Red
one left folks!
 

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,322
247
55
Wiltshire
Andy J said:
you mention priming, is this just charring the and, or more involved?

nope is as simple as lighting it and putting it out. You need a charred end to catch a spark;)
 

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,322
247
55
Wiltshire
Mikey P said:
Yeah - at the risk of appearing ignorant, what do we do with it?

are you asking in general or the primeing process (which i have explained above)?
 

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,322
247
55
Wiltshire
grumit said:
if i'm corect there is one left may i have it please would be a great thing to demo my cadets :)

you are and tiz yours!

the final list is......

  1. dean2
  2. andyw
  3. andy j
  4. ady05
  5. British Red
  6. grumit
I will send them all out on Monday:)
 

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