Wich cord or rope for a firedrill ?

[Nelis]

Ok so a lot has been written about firedrills allready. But I can't seem to find wich kind of rope other people use toi string the bow.

This weekend I had a friend of mine over and he brought his kids. So I made a fireplace in the backgarden, got half a big pine tree (in three pieces) for wood and chopped and sawed away with the kids. (of course after carefull instruction and under supervision) They had a great time too....

When it became time to light the fire I thought showing them a firedrill might be nice... so off to the attick, took a piece of the camping broom for the dril and to pieces of wood for the hearthboard and the bearing block, traded the neighbors rabbit a carrot for some of its dried grass and off we went.

After we lit the fire that way, the kids off course wanted to try the drill, but every three attempts or so the string I used broke.... Trying another kind of string appeared to be too slippery and wouldn't spin the drill.

So the question is what type of string do other bushcrafters use ?

 

[mace242]

Paracord generally works for me. I've also used a shoelace don't ask....

 

[spiritofold]

Extra thick nettle cord is good for one go at the bowdrill. Gotta make sure you have the technique perfect though....

Andy >>>>>----------------------------------<>

 

[Bernie Garland]

I use the white nylon cord from b+q,about the best i have found.

Bernie

 

[Forest fella]

I agree,Para-cord is good,But I prefer using Starter-cord i.e Chainsaw or boat,Or you can buy Leather Strips for the Bow,these really grip the drill.

 

[Toddy]

Good quality paracord usually

Willow bast works, so does nettle, lime is very good, did it using daffodil rope once

cheers,
Toddy

 

[spamel]

Leather boot laces, paracord or purlon cord, starter rope, anything that can stand a lot of abrasion. Climbing accessory cordage would do too.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Nelis,
I've had good service from cheap cord and seen Woodlore's own paracor fall apart on the first attempt.
To ease the strain on the cord I use this technique - tie a long loop of string on your bow, then turn a clove hitch around the spindle and take up the slack with equal number of turns each way around the spindle until it will run each way without binding on the central hitch. A bit like this.....

Hope this helps

Ogri the trog

 

[Forest fella]

Ogri the trog,is that Elder in the picture.And does anyone have some Cattail stalks as I can't find any around my area,at the moment

 

[Toots]

I have had good results using a 5mm(ish) leather rope that started life as a cheap lead for a terrier and is now used to wear knife round my neck(if that makes any sense). As such it's always on hand and easier than trying to knot a broken boot lace back into the boot!!

 

[Joonsy]

pull-cord used on lawn mowers/chainsaws and the like is really excellent stuff, it is far more abrasion resistant than paracord and nylon cord etc:, it's available from hire shops or garden machinery shops.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Ogri the trog,is that Elder in the picture.And does anyone have some Cattail stalks as I can't find any around my area,at the moment

FF,
Yes it is Elder, but its a hand-drill spindle just used to demonstrate the principle and not a working set. My bow-drill spindles are shorter and the cord would not sit so well for the photo, which I wanted to be clear.
Cattail does grow in UK, but if its not in your area, you might have to get used to using other things.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Nelis]

OK So lots of new idea's. I will be trying to find some pull cord for a starter motor, and definatly will be giving leather a try....

Never would have tried leather myself as I would have thought this would break more easily. Also have to try orgi's system.... For me a completly new idea, but looks promising.

Thanks guys..

 

[Forest fella]

Hi,Nelis I seem to remember I got my leather fire thongs from bison bushcraft have alook there.They are of a better quality leather than is the norm,much thicker than I could find anywhere else. Good luck and enjoy

 

[Gripper]

Ditto the Paracord, always seem to have some somewhere...