I worked on the bow drill today.

**danmc** · 04-13-2011, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL

For me and using my materials the coal came after about a minute after the thick persistant smoke started. Maybe try something harder for the bearing such as a seashell or such. It will reduce friction at the bearing end.

You could use a rock too. In my neck of the woods (southern end of the N. GA mountains) we have lots of softer rocks (the rusty ones) and you can usually find a piece of quartz lying around too. If you find a piece of quartz with an end shaped sort of like a flathead screwdriver it will fairly quickly carve a bit of a divot into the softer rock. If you want to cheat at first (think training wheels), you could also use a 1 Tbs stainless steel measuring spoon on the top end. Won't wear out and it is deep enough that you'll never have the spindle pop out. Of course then when you go to a rock, you have to learn to deal with the much shallower bearing.

**your_comforting_company** · 04-14-2011, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL

YCC I just compared my notch to your pics. Mine is slightly wider...not much. I was getting a good sized pile of char dust. Another difference I see is my notch was not straight through...kinda sloping outward towards the bottom and smaller. I was using a round hearth stick though....What are your thoughts drop it straight or let it roll out the side?

I drop my notch straight down. A top-view looks like a V, clean through. This allows dust from near-center of the spindle to fall directly below and heat up without getting kicked out from under the spindle before ignition. I've seen folks have success with the compound V notch, which from top looks like a V and from the side also looks like a V, but IME this does not allow enough air under the dust. I've also seen it inverted, where the side view looks like a ^ notch and I find that one to not retain dust near enough the spindle. Of course, different materials respond differently, so experimentation is key, but during the learning process, I would elect to use the straight dropped V. It's what I learned to use and have the most consistent success with.

Also, I flatten both sides of my hearth stick. Hope that helps. I'm sure you'll get it soon!! Keep trying!

**NCO** · 04-14-2011, 04:48 PM

It could be after all that also my issues are due the wrong kind of hole... Better not to tell the mrs...

**Rick** · 04-14-2011, 05:10 PM

I've always tried to deal with the B hole or C hole. But knowing how you feel about Moras you're probably much better dealing with A holes. (I slay myself, I really do)

**rwc1969** · 04-15-2011, 02:38 AM

It's not the hole, it's how you work the spindle.

Bwah!

Actually, I prefer the inverted V or the straight up V as YCC described. And, I believe the tip on using both the same material for spindle and fireboard is a good one. Also, trimming off the charred end of the spindle helped me greatly. For me, it was the combination of all these things being just right that made it possible for me to get embers consistently, not just one or two. Everything has to be just right. I like a really dense birdnest, I call it a birdnest because bird's nests are really dense and tighly woven, put a bit of really fine stuff in the center, place my ember right on that, and gently and continuously squeeze the nest over and around the ember as i blow it to flame. If the ember starts burning through, which happens for me if it's a bit loose or sometimes if the tinder is damp, I'll switch sides and blow from a different direction. I found gently blowing the nest works best for me rather than trying to do the forge effect.

I've noticed that if I'm exerting lots of effort, things just aren't right. I now stop, re-assess the situation, and change things up.

**your_comforting_company** · 04-15-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by rwc1969

I've noticed that if I'm exerting lots of effort, things just aren't right. I now stop, re-assess the situation, and change things up.

That's the key to success right there. Being able to assess and adapt. Like I said, it took me quite a lot of tries to get my first ember so don't get discouraged. Change one thing at a time till you get closer and closer and you'll get it.

4 things are necessary for fire: air, fuel, surface area / friction area, and unrestrained chain reactions. If any one of these is out of whack you get nothing but smoke.