I'm a fire starter, twisted fire starter...

[jackcbr]

It's no secret I've had varied success with the bow drill fire lighting method. I have had some good results with prepared sets, but lots of trouble with strings. Then, at one of the Sussex group meets, we went for a set foraged on the day.

Well that didn't quite work out either. So on to another meet and this time, still using the hearth from the foraged and a home foraged hazel drill, I got an ember, which sadly I failed to blow to flame.

Now forward fast to the bank holiday. I've worked out what tension I need on the string. The hearth is proven, but not seasoned yet and I'd cut a new drill from a piece of green ash at home.

Now, time to get bowing. In the past this has involved a lot of exhausting bowing, often resulting in the ember being extinguished by sweat. But today was a break through day. In next to no time I had smoke a plenty. I thought this can't be true, but yes, I had an ember. I was so not expecting that, that I didn't even have my camera ready. After a short sprint round the house I found it and got this

sadly I was even less prepared and didn't have any tinder. After another sprint round, I found something, but sadly no flame. No problem, I'll get another in a couple of minutes I thought. Well I never expected that to be an over estimate! A quick retention on the string (I am learning), and a few good strokes, another ember. Tinder bundle ready, a little bit of blowing and I had this.

oh, and a very big grin on my face.

 

[Biker]

BIG CONGRATS!!! I've yet to do this. Well done.

 

[copper_head]

Nice one and congratulations

 

[Niels]

Well done! I remember I felt like the inventor of fire when I did that for the first time.

 

[jackcbr]

Thanks. When it comes right, it comes right. Got to keep doing it now.

 

[Elen Sentier]

Well done . Wish I could but body doesn't allow. Love watching others do it.

behind every creative woman there's usually a very talented cat ...

 

[Reverend Graham]

Hoping someone will teach me this at the Moot.

Well done.

Rev G

 

[Peter_t]

i so would have nailed this at the last meet if i hadnt been recovering from the night befor! must have a go again soon well done jack

 

[jackcbr]

Cheers Pete

wouldnt have got it if you hadn't help out with the tensioning issues I had. What was the hearth wood again?

 

[crosslandkelly]

Well done Jack, it's been a long time coming.:You_Rock_

 

[jackcbr]

Yep, got to keep it coming now. Still want to do a complete forage set on the day, but the confidence is coming. Still getting a bit of string wear, but I think that's an angle issue and if I put the drill in the other way round, I should then be reducing the friction on the cord, if that makes any sense at all. I.e. the string on the hand side of the bow is on the bottom not the top, so the angle I bow at opens it up rather than binding them together. Then again, if I was doing it properly in the first place the bow would be horizontal. My physics might not be correct here either, it's just a hypothesis at the moment.

 

[Stringmaker]

Yep, got to keep it coming now. Still want to do a complete forage set on the day, but the confidence is coming. Still getting a bit of string wear, but I think that's an angle issue and if I put the drill in the other way round, I should then be reducing the friction on the cord, if that makes any sense at all. I.e. the string on the hand side of the bow is on the bottom not the top, so the angle I bow at opens it up rather than binding them together. Then again, if I was doing it properly in the first place the bow would be horizontal. My physics might not be correct here either, it's just a hypothesis at the moment.

Well done!

If you are right handed then the drill should be strung as you described. That then stops the cord from creeping up the drill and also means that you can bow horiztontally.

 

[Peter_t]

Cheers Pete

wouldnt have got it if you hadn't help out with the tensioning issues I had. What was the hearth wood again?

was goat willow

 

[jackcbr]

Well done!

If you are right handed then the drill should be strung as you described. That then stops the cord from creeping up the drill and also means that you can bow horiztontally.

That will be it then. I'm left handed, but I guess the principle is the same.

 

[maddave]

Hoping someone will teach me this at the Moot.

Well done.

Rev G

LOTS of folk will be more than happy at the moot to help you Rev.... And when you succeed (which you will) It's the best feeling ever... Kind of primordial The grin lasts for ages

 

[dump of the stig]

Glad to see im not the only one having trouble with this, after lots of blister aching muscles
types of wood right, everything set up, ive got to the giving up stage too much frustration :-/

 

[Firelite]

Great job, well done.
Dump of the stig, keep trying. Remember, every time you try this and it doesn't work, you have still had an experience. Once you get it it will be based on a deep understanding of the factors involved - you will know what does and doesn't work. Far better that way than to get it almost immediately and then be unable to repeat it. Read all you can about the subject, watch videos on the forum, whatever inspires you, then keep going. It is the best thing in the world once it comes together, as jackcbr will no doubt agree.

 

[ReamviThantos]

i was taught that the spindle had to be thick and thin and the hearth slim and plank like.... Just goes to show results come regardless of shape. Well done

 

[maddave]

these are good vids (link to part 2 is at the end of part one)

[video=youtube;sNcYyUn38qY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNcYyUn38qY[/video]

 

[jackcbr]

I must admit, you've got to know when it's going wrong and think why. I've adapted the methods shown me by people far more experienced than I, but these adaptations work for my physical abnormalities. I have a longer drill so I don't have to lean as far forward, this has stopped my flabby belly getting in the way and allowing my asthmatic lungs more room to work. For me, as long as the hearth is slightly wider than the drill, then thats wide enough. Keep an eye out for the drill end polishing, use a bit of failed ember dust in the hearth to help get things going. Start slow, with light(ish) pressure and build up. Also just give different woods a go. I'm rubbish at identifying wood, so looking for specific things is a waste of time for me.

But I'm no expert, just an enthusiast that got lucky. Which makes me think, I should have another go tonight.