Bow Drill...what am I doing wrong?

**Alec_end** · 09-01-2010, 04:19 AM

Just wondernig could you use ceader for both parts?

Cheers alec

**your_comforting_company** · 09-01-2010, 05:25 AM

Alec, I used red cedar the other day. Not the easiest to use.
White cedar is said to make a great hearth, but as far as I know it doesn't grow here.

**letslearntogether47** · 09-01-2010, 07:59 AM

Yup,white cedar is listed as easy.And I can tell you from my trials,it's one of the best for both spindle and hearth board.

**RichJ** · 09-02-2010, 01:08 AM

Congrats!

As others have said, the trick is in the wood you use. Always use a hardwood for the spindle and a softwood for the board. Around here hickory is plentiful, so that will always be a good "stick." Dead woody-vines work well to get a coal from. I don't know what those things are called though. They get 2-3 inches in diameter and grow in a spiral around trees. Whatever that stuff is, it is soft and works well.

**dolfan87** · 09-03-2010, 10:39 AM

Wow...resurrecting an old thread eh?

This was nice to see actually, I have been stuck in the house all summer, and now that it is cooling off I am excited to get out and work on some things.

**ScubaEd** · 12-10-2010, 11:44 PM

dolfan87, Did you ever ID that bush you made the spindal from?
I'm in Mesa, working on the same thing you did/are.

**crimescene450** · 12-11-2010, 02:52 AM

This might sound weird, but my biggest problem is the handhold.

SO far i have only gotten fire using a shot glass as the handhold

I tried using a wood block about an hour ago. I carved the top of the spindle into the pointiest point you could imagine, i even waxed it up with candle wax. but my handhold started smoking, meanwhile my actual board just glazed over -_-

**kyratshooter** · 12-11-2010, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by crimescene450

This might sound weird, but my biggest problem is the handhold.

SO far i have only gotten fire using a shot glass as the handhold

I tried using a wood block about an hour ago. I carved the top of the spindle into the pointiest point you could imagine, i even waxed it up with candle wax. but my handhold started smoking, meanwhile my actual board just glazed over -_-

Then turn the rig over and consider the fact that you are using the wrong wood in the wrong place.

Humans would still be eating raw meat if all they ever figured out how to do was set their hand on fire.

'Scuse me, I just noticed you were from Kalifornia, Bay area, and Ohio. Now I understand.

**rwc1969** · 12-11-2010, 01:27 PM

CS if you can find pine sap use it as lube, or soapwort, or if you can find a good solid chunk of Fatwood that makes the best bearing block/ handhold.

Sometimes I will burn in my hole and then re-sharpen the spindle where it meets the handhold too. Try not to make the bearing hole on the handhold too deep, just enough to keep the spindle from slipping out.

Another thing you can try is once the spindle is fire hardened start a new handhold socket. Typically, once my handhold and spindle are fire hardened I don't get much smoke unless the hole is too deep.

**dolfan87** · 12-11-2010, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by ScubaEd

dolfan87, Did you ever ID that bush you made the spindal from?
I'm in Mesa, working on the same thing you did/are.

Nope. Next time I am out in that wash, I will take a picture of it. Thing is, I have only seen it up in this little part of the mountains behind my house.

Maybe tomorrow before the Dolphins/Jest's game I will head out there.

**Wise Old Owl** · 12-14-2010, 10:51 AM

There are lots of bow drill videos on Youtube

Speed fastest bow drill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW7_uzPQn7c

I found dryer lint impactical compared to carbon patches for catching tinder

Here is how to make carbon patchs Char cloth to catch the ember
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV_77V155zU

Tinder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kutZ6sPKoUA

**crashdive123** · 12-14-2010, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl

There are lots of bow drill videos on Youtube

Speed fastest bow drill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW7_uzPQn7c

I found dryer lint impactical compared to carbon patches for catching tinder

Here is how to make carbon patchs Char cloth to catch the ember
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV_77V155zU

Tinder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kutZ6sPKoUA

Technology has provided us with the opportunity to learn from and share some great videos. I had to chuckle through with the third one you posted. While the information was good, I had to concentrate on the content and not pay too much attention to the messenger. He was all camoed out, including his hat that was being worn in the three quarter to the rear position. His bright and new tennis shoes probably have not seen too much boots in the field time - and the sunglasses....

Like I said, the info was good, but many youtubers (me included) need to make sure that the messenger does not interfere with the message.