Handrill

[Spirit fish]

I can do bowdrill pretty well consistently but the handrill is my nemesis iv heard dead blackberry stems are good? Iv tried but they break most of the time inever get heat doing it,but I did get the end of a wooden spindle hot attempting the floating hands method any insightfull tips?

 

[Saulb]

I can do bowdrill pretty well consistently but the handrill is my nemesis iv heard dead blackberry stems are good? Iv tried but they break most of the time inever get heat doing it,but I did get the end of a wooden spindle hot attempting the floating hands method any insightfull tips?

Choice of materials is key. I use dead/dry clematis for the hearth and elder for the drill. I cut the elder green, scrape off the bark and dry it. This combination has always worked for me...

You do need to get elder stems with decent wall thickness. A lot of the stems with only a single year of growth tend to be all pith and no wall...

I have also used dog rose for the drill, which also works well.

 

[Wildpiper]

You aren't alone in having trouble mastering this skill. I have the exact same issue. I was told this skill takes much more muscle development. I was told to practice every day for several months. So far that hasnt happened as my job as an electrician doesnt afford much free time.