One problem a lot of people have using a fire bow/bow drill set is that they get too much friction at the top of the spindle/bearing block meeting point.
I have just revamped my bearing block to eliminate this potential problem.
What did I do? I glued a limpet shell into the block and hey presto - no friction!
The limpet I used was not even a very regular cone shape, just an odd shell I picked up at the w/e, but it works like a dream (though a more conical one would be even better) and improved my rig no end....
I glued it into place with a Spruce resin/charcoal/beeswax glue/filler in a hole made using my frost knife and spoon knife to enlarge the hole thast excess friction had worn in the block.
Fire at my first go with this rig and the block/top of the spindle stayed cold for once!
I hope others find this method of use to them.
Personally I rarely use friction to start my fires, prefering trad flint and steel, but I like to keep my hand in now and again.
John
I have just revamped my bearing block to eliminate this potential problem.
What did I do? I glued a limpet shell into the block and hey presto - no friction!
The limpet I used was not even a very regular cone shape, just an odd shell I picked up at the w/e, but it works like a dream (though a more conical one would be even better) and improved my rig no end....
I glued it into place with a Spruce resin/charcoal/beeswax glue/filler in a hole made using my frost knife and spoon knife to enlarge the hole thast excess friction had worn in the block.
Fire at my first go with this rig and the block/top of the spindle stayed cold for once!
I hope others find this method of use to them.
Personally I rarely use friction to start my fires, prefering trad flint and steel, but I like to keep my hand in now and again.
John