Char Cloth

[crashdive123]

We've discussed the advantages of having different tinder sources available. Char cloth is always part of the discussion. For those of you that have not made any, it is quite simple. Here are a few pics to illustrate the process. The first pic shows small squares of an old t-shirt cut into small squares. The Altoids box has a small hole drilled in the top (1/16"). The next 3 pics you can see that the smoke given off has ignited (some of the flames may have been from the paint on the box). The finished product in the final pic.

[Rick]

Good stuff Crash. One of the errors that folks seem to make is installing too large of a hole. Don't make it any larger than Crash indicated. You don't want oxygen to get inside the box but you do want the gas created by super heating the cotton cloth to escape.

Nice post and good pics!

[rebel]

Good job on the post and pics. Thanks.

[wareagle69]

not bad dude, do you have a time frame on how long you left the box on the flame and then did you plug the hole after removing it from the flame to smother any ignition to preserve your char?

[crashdive123]

Took about 3 or 4 minutes on a very low setting of the stove. I did not cover the hole after I removed the can from the heat. Waited until the can was cool to the touch before opening it.

[Blood Groove]

Can it be done with a candle or over a camp fire, or does it need a more precise method of heating?

[crashdive123]

Coals from a fire work just fine. I've never tried a candle - not sure if that will get it hot enough. May have to experiment with that.

[Blood Groove]

I'd definitely like to experiment with that. Steel wool is also good for starting fires.

[Rick]

I"ve made it over a camp fire and in the fire place using the two can method. You can also use aluminum foil folded up around the cotton cloth.

[crashdive123]

OK Bloodgroove - I tried the candle experiment today. Started with on candle - after 5 minutes no smoke. Added two more candles and got the box a bit closer to the flames - after another 8 minutes barely a wisp of smoke. Got tired of waiting and took a propane torch to the box for 90 seconds - voila.

[Rick]

I sure hope that's not your pick undies that you're burning up. And I hope for your sake they weren't your wife's either.:D

[crashdive123]

Old worn out work T-shirts (Beefy T's), besides....silk doesn't make good char cloth.;)

[Rick]

Well, Oooh, I didn't need to know you wear silk! I wear sandpaper underwear myself. 60 grade. It'll make a man out of you. Ouch!

[Blood Groove]

Crash, so the candles didn't work so well, that's a shame, but thanks for trying it.

[crashdive123]

Candles may have failed, but I proved my propane torch can do the job in about 90 seconds.

[Blood Groove]

You've also found the secret to Rick's manliness....it's those sand paper underwear lol! I actually have a pair that I've never worn before.

[pgvoutdoors]

I have to use a large amount of Char cloth for teaching classes, so I make it in a one gallon paint can. I buy the cans, new never used, from the paint store. The can has a protective coating on the inside so you must put it on the fire empty for a while to burn it off. After that it's go to go.

[Rick]

Just send those paint cans to Crash. He can use his flame thrower on them to remove the coating.:D

[crashdive123]

Be happy to help.

http://www.biggerhammer.net/mgshoot/kcrfall2k/flamethrower_straight.jpg

[Rick]

This guy KNOWS how to make char cloth.....and char people, cars, buildings.....

[Reiver]

Just as an aside guys, next time you use the clothes drier at home, don't throw out that lint in the filter. Drier lint is as good as char cloth. I always keep some in my kit. It's very flammable.

[Pict]

I have a small round tin I carry in my kit for making char cloth in the field. 100% cotton terrycloth towels are good stuff, as is gauze from the FAK.

Another tinder is Jute twine. I treat it with Vaseline and it burs alot longer.

Mac

[Gray Wolf]

Drier lint is as good as char cloth. I always keep some in my kit. It's very flammable.

That has been covered in many threads, I know that I have always posted that the towel load was best (because of the most cotton count). Please use the search button at the top of each page, and you'll see what I mean. There are different attributes to using char cloth compared to dryer lint. Just trying to help. :)

[huntermj]

Inspired by this thread i decided to make some char-cloth. What i learned, don't do this on the stove in the house. it makes surprising amount of smoke! :eek: So then i moved it outside and used my backpacking stove, Worked great. Shot some sparks on it and it light right up. Thanks guys.

[Runs With Beer]

Char cloth is great stuff. If the need arise you can also use punk wood and make char the same way.It will also catch a spark just as well.