Thwarted by the Welsh wind!

[cave_dweller]

Hi All,

Got the afternoon off, and decided that I was gonna finally crack this bow-drill thing.

I made a kit a while back, and managed lots of smoke, but no ember. I decided I needed a better hearth, so I split a lump of extra dry leylandii, made a tinder bundle (meanwhile, the dog stole my bow, obviously thinking "that's a nice stick - he wants to play". Having retrieved my stick (isn't the dog supposed to do that?) off I set to make fire. Mwaah ha ha...

Glory be... after a few minutes, there was a little, glowing ember sitting in the notch in my hearth! I was so chuffed! I gave it a few more rapid strokes, then set aside the bow and carefully picked up the bit of bark with my precious ember in it... only for the wind to gust, and I watched in horror as my lovely glowing coal disappeared across the garden.

Gutted? That's not even close.

Undaunted, I made another notch in the hearth and set to.

This time Mother Nature was having none of it - as the hot dust was dropping into the notch, I watched in despair as the wind blew it straight out again. I almost filled the notch three times, and each time the dust just blew away.

This time I was really miffed.

So... bow-drill amateurs - watch the wind, or find somewhere sheltered.

I'm even more determined now, but I'll maybe wait until it's a bit less gusty than it is right now!! Or maybe I should just set up my bow drill kit in the kitchen and see what SWMBO thinks...

 

[drewdunnrespect]

And you really think u will get away with setting up in the kitchen. Cos
That would be instance death in our house hold

But bloody good effort

 

[cave_dweller]

And you really think u will get away with setting up in the kitchen. Cos
That would be instance death in our house hold

It would be a slow, painful death around these parts - nothing instant would satisfy her!

But bloody good effort

Cheers. I've no idea why I'm so determined to crack this, but I am. Maybe tomorrow will bring better luck!

 

[mountainm]

Another success for Leylandii - I cut sections of trunk into "coasters" then dried mine out in the microwave - works a treat.

 

[jackcbr]

maybe I should just set up my bow drill kit in the kitchen and see what SWMBO thinks...

Guess I'm lucky there, SWMBO doesn't mind as long as I clean up afterwards. It's a fair trade really. I get home and fine horse tack bits in the bath (numbners and the like). It's all about give and take, that and being very good at cleaning up. I must admit the kitchen might even benefit from me working in there as it gets such a thorough clean down afterwards (use to work in catering, so quite high standards really).

 

[cave_dweller]

Guess I'm lucky there, SWMBO doesn't mind as long as I clean up afterwards.

Consider yourself lucky! The stench of smoke from a bow-drill in the kitchen would likely earn me a rapid slap, followed by a stern talking to!

I reckon the shed or greenhouse is a much safer bet, all things considered.