whisky stave bowdrill

[JohnC]

I'd had a go with Toddy's bowdrill set and wanted to make a similar style set... I had a lot of oak staves from some old whisky casks and made myself a set. Its got renewable tips and still retains some of the whisky smell to the wood. The bow is about 18-20" long..
As its shorter, and the bearing block has a deepish socket, its a bit easier for the boys (and me) when using...

 

[ged]

Does it work?

 

[JohnC]

Hello, so far it does ;-) Joe and I are practicing bow drill again this evening after work....

 

[T1Viper]

Good luck with that John I hope you and the boy are successful, its a brilliant skill to have.

i cant wait to practice it.

Tom

P.S dont forget to take the marshmallows for when you do get a fire going

 

[Toddy]

Very neat John

Incidentally, the same sized set from Tutankhamun's tomb also had a copper band reinforcing around the socket for the spindle tip

atb,
M

 

[Retired Member southey]

Great looking kit there chap, is that a little sheet of leather top left, is it for a hearth,

 

[JohnC]

...is that a little sheet of leather top left, is it for a hearth,

It's to catch an (hopefully) glowing ember from the board and hold it off the ground till moved...

The copper bands a bit of piping, I was concerned the presure on the tip end would split the drill socket..

 

[Nonsuch]

Have you had ignition John ?

Chris has been trying the bowdrill as well - he gets smoke but struggles to exert enough power and control to get an ember. I will be interested to hear if Joe manages it.

 

[JohnC]

Jane and me had a go last night with success....

Jane blazing away

lots of smoke

an ember... we left it alone as Mary suggested,,,,

and we got fire,.... The chickens were interested on the set up, but headed off once the smoke started...

 

[dancan]

Great pics !
Thanks for posting them .

 

[Toddy]

I love seeing it all come together like that

Neatly done & thanks for sharing the photos

atb,
Mary

 

[drewdunnrespect]

dam when i saw whisky i thought you might be distilling some but hey ho you cant avarything anyways well done and nice pics