I made fire!

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 10:07 PM

Well, I got a little tender bundle burning, just to see if I could. I used a firestarter, from wal-mart(mag/ferro). For tender, I used a small piece of "natural fiber" rope. Just a bunch of un-twisting, gave me a nice little bundle. It took me about 5 strikes, on the ferro rod, to start the flames.

I thought, well heck.....that wasn't so bad. Then I had an idea! LOL

**Rick** · 08-01-2009, 10:09 PM

Good for you!! Now experiment with different things and you'll start to see how the spark lives in various materials. Then you can start making your own fire starters. Pictures, of course, help us you know.

**jeff_c** · 08-01-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

Well, I got a little tender bundle burning, just to see if I could. I used a firestarter, from wal-mart(mag/ferro). For tender, I used a small piece of "natural fiber" rope. Just a bunch of un-twisting, gave me a nice little bundle. It took me about 5 strikes, on the ferro rod, to start the flames.

I thought, well heck.....that wasn't so bad. Then I had an idea! LOL

Im still working on trying to get a fire with nothing but a firesteel and NATURAL tinder... TOUGH for me. If I use magnesium or a patroleum soaked cotton ball life is good... but tough without those things!

.

Good for you!

**crashdive123** · 08-01-2009, 10:12 PM

2D2K - did you scrape any of the magnesium?

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 10:14 PM

OK, my idea was a variation, of what I saw crash make. (egg crate fire starters)
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=5859

I used toilet paper rolls, (cut to between .5" and 1") saw dust, and wax. What I did different was, I put a piece of my "natural fiber" rope, in the middle, sticking out about an inch.(Like a candle wick.)
To light it, I un-twisted the rope, making a little tender bundle, and it took me about 15 or 20 strikes on the ferro rod, to get flames.

I think I got the wax too hot, because it "wicked" all the way up the rope.
Although this made it a little harder to light, I guess it would help keep it dry.

**WillDeerborn** · 08-01-2009, 10:14 PM

Big fan of the Bow method of fire starting (When I aint got lighters or matches and my knife has matches in it)

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 10:17 PM

I also made a couple of these, but instead of using the rope, I used a cotton ball, with about half of it sticking out. This way was lit with 2 strikes on the ferro rod!

Yeah...OK, I was having too much fun, making a fire...in my garage.

**Rick** · 08-01-2009, 10:19 PM

Nothing wrong with that as long as it's controlled...or controllable. It's perfect to practice at home. If you have problems there it's no big deal. If you can't make a fire in the woods, it could be a big deal.

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 10:21 PM

Dang...y'all were talking to me, while I was typing away.

Crash...no, I didn't use the magnesium.

Well....I may have scraped a little, while striking the ferro part, but I didn't scrape any on purpose...and none ahead of time. LOL

**crashdive123** · 08-01-2009, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

Dang...y'all were talking to me, while I was typing away.

Crash...no, I didn't use the magnesium.

Well....I may have scraped a little, while striking the ferro part, but I didn't scrape any on purpose...and none ahead of time. LOL

Since you're experimenting, make a small tinder bundle with your shreaded rope. Scrape a little pile of magnesium (about the size of a nickle). Hit the pile with a spark from the ferro rod, then touch the tinder pile to the white hot magnesium. I think you will like the results.

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Nothing wrong with that as long as it's controlled...or controllable. It's perfect to practice at home. If you have problems there it's no big deal. If you can't make a fire in the woods, it could be a big deal.

Yes, I keep things under control in my shop. I cut, grind, and weld in there, so I always think about fire...and have extinguishers close at hand! LOL

BTW, I learned years ago, that if you have a hole in your flannel shirt and enough sparks from a grinder hit it, you will set yourself on fire! LOL

**crashdive123** · 08-01-2009, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

BTW, I learned years ago, that if you have a hole in your flannel shirt and enough sparks from a grinder hit it, you will set yourself on fire! LOL

It's better than getting hit in the face with a loaded paint brush.

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Since you're experimenting, make a small tinder bundle with your shreaded rope. Scrape a little pile of magnesium (about the size of a nickle). Hit the pile with a spark from the ferro rod, then touch the tinder pile to the white hot magnesium. I think you will like the results.

I saw that, the other week, at a gun show. That's where I got the idea of using the rope.

**Rick** · 08-01-2009, 10:39 PM

You might like this, then. It's one I put together.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ht=rope+tinder

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 08-01-2009, 10:53 PM

2d2kwit,

It is imperative that you do not wear flannel welding. I myself learned that the hard way. By the way do not roll your pants leg and best if your pants are over your boots. A self darkening helmet is the best thing they ever invented for my eyes. They have been burnt 4 times then again I have melted a few miles of metal!! Fun ain't it!

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

You might like this, then. It's one I put together.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ht=rope+tinder

Thanks, I'll have to get some cotton rope, and try that. The rope I have is jute.(I guess) I cut a few 2" long pieces, and stuck them in my orange thingy, that keeps matches dry.

BTW, ...around here, Ace hardware has strike anywhere matches.

**2dumb2kwit** · 08-01-2009, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL

2d2kwit,

It is imperative that you do not wear flannel welding. I myself learned that the hard way. By the way do not roll your pants leg and best if your pants are over your boots. A self darkening helmet is the best thing they ever invented for my eyes. They have been burnt 4 times then again I have melted a few miles of metal!! Fun ain't it!

Haha...yeah, over the years, I've learned most of the don'ts!

I'm not really what "I" would call a welder, but having a race car, knowing how to weld and fabricate, a little, is a necessity.

**Rick** · 08-01-2009, 11:09 PM

And Carhart coveralls are just a sinister trick that a corporation is playing on workers. If you ever have to sit in a tent splicing with a heater between you legs or have to knock off a led sleeve with lead dripping down on your Carharts you learn pretty quickly the term "hot". It sort of jumps on you all at once. Your Carharts will go from 35F to about 10,000F in something like 2 seconds. Anytime you see a phone guy rolling on the ground trying to get out of his Carharts you can figure he's a newby and just learned one of life's little lessons.