Hand drill hell

[jimbo75]

This is what I'm getting...

Now, I know it's a tough technique.... but I'm getting at the most some whafts of smoke and some brown dust.
I do a physical job and I heavy lift all day. I'm not in bad shape? I think...
I can get about 12-14 hard spins and then my arms give out!
The spindle is mullein and the hearth is elder.
What you guys reckon? My suspicion is the hearth is to hard?

 

[mrcharly]

I reckon you are pressing too hard and not spinning fast enough - trying to use your muscle and weight too much.

 

[ocean1975]

Try a clematis hearth board,although I have tried this with a mullein drill and have got smoke and a nice bit of dust,but I also run out of steam.i work as a bricklayer so I like to think I've got a bit of stamina when it comes to things like this.I think it's time I give it another bash.Good luck at getting an ember and I hope not to many blisters lol.

 

[Bones]

Elder hearth will not work, it's too hard. Try using Ivy board. Keep practicing everyday.

 

[crosslandkelly]

We've got some nice Ivy hearths drying in the long drop at Suffolk, the next time you come over.

 

[ged]

If you're fit but you're running out of steam, then there's clearly something not right somewhere.

Agreed on the hearth - try a different wood, e.g. lime, sycamore or willow.

I take it you're making sure that the materials are (very) dry?

Are you using the technique of putting in steady spins for an extended period to get some dust followed by a few seconds flat out to ignote it?

Difficult to know from the photos but I wonder if you shouldn't try making the spindle and the socket diameters bigger - maybe as much as twice as big.

What's going on at the bearing end of the spindle? Is it turning freely and not wasting energy?

 

[jimbo75]

We've got some nice Ivy hearths drying in the long drop at Suffolk, the next time you come over.

That'll teach me not to check my old threads! Sorry mate... I'd have took you up on that. I'll have to keep an eye out at north wood next week. Would be good if you guys could get over for a meet sometime.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Yeah I'd like that.