Firestarters
I experimented with making some firestarters last night. One thing I learned I thought would be worth mentioning is when I melted down peices of old candles I got about a cup of wax. I then added about a cup tiki torch fuel the citronella kind. I then added the mix to drier lint, 3/8" cotton wicks, and sawdust. The wax still hardened sufficiently for the starters. I would think this will really extend burn time. I will be testing some out and will let you know what I find.
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
That surprises me. I sure thought the fuel would be a problem getting the wax to harden. I look forward to your test results.
Thanks for the update!!
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
Betcha' they smell elegant!
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
It worked well, only thing the look on my wifes face when adding the fuel to the stove - priceless!
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
That's why my wife usually head the other way when I start a new project. She'll check in from time to time to make sure I don't blow myself up, or cut off a limb.Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL
She's probably just out increasing your life insurance coverage.
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
Heres a tip! Start projects late in the evening having several silver bullets on hand. Works for me every time my wife just goes quietly to bed!
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
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Here is the cake of firestarter made with drier lint, sawdust, old candles, Tiki torch oil, and styrofaom plates.
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These are wicks soaked and dried in the same mix.
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(Rick)
These candles were made with the same solution of wax and lamp oil hmmm! it did seperate. I am calling them gas candles!!! NEAT!
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Made another lamp with some of the wick!
Last edited by COWBOYSURVIVAL; 06-20-2009 at 10:05 PM.
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
I would have never thought of combining all those different things. Great ideas. Will the cake catch firewith sparks from a ferro rod? That would be sweet. I tried to spark up some fat wood shavings but could'nt get it to light up.
Another type of fire starter is a bottle cap starter. You can melt wax into a bottle cap, add a wick and you have a fire starter.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
Poncho,
I haven't tried lighting it yet, it is a little slow to dry with all the fuel. I will be cutting it into smaller sizes and then we'll see how well it lights...
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
I guess its the same concept as my bbq brick starter that I do when I cook out. I cut a soda can and use the bottom 1/3. I pour in vegestable oil and get a napkin roll it up like a cinamon roll and leave a bit out of the oil. I set that on fire and pile charcoal on top and before you know the fire is going strong.
Thats a handy tip there Poncho!
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
I like the bottle cap idea too Rick! It would be a good use for the small amount of wax that i had left over.
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
I cut off a chunk of the earlier posted pie tonight rolled it into as close to a 1" ball as i could it lit easily and burned hot for an easy 2hrs. I set it atop a peice of green and wet oak. I split the oak just prior into 2 in. sections no kindling was used. The wax and fuel deposited in the bottom oak plank and burned long enought to dry the wet wood. I will take the rest and roll into 1" balls and flour them to prevent melting. I am very pleased witht the outcome. HAven't tried firesteel yet. I need to order one I will update this post when I have one.
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Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
Wow! I would never have guessed you would get that kind of burn time. Nicely done.
Well it helps when you have your post to reference! I just did what I could to improve on what I saw. This mixture is very dense it is loaded with sawdust and lint and cut slivers of styrofoam plates all immersed in the mixture of lamp fuel and wax. I think the lamp fuel was the key to extended burn time.
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
Very cool, I am gonna have to try that one of these days.
I have some old lamp oil around here that's a zillion years old. That might be a good use for it.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
I wound up with all kinds of firestarter!
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Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
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