fire starters

Discussion in 'Back to Basics' started by snowbyrd, Jan 12, 2007.


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  1. snowbyrd

    snowbyrd Latet anguis in herba

    forget lint, use sawdust. Take a cardboard egg carton and pack some saw dust into it . Go to the local lumber yard and bet a bag or two for free. Got used candles? If not get some wax, parafin, (canning supplies) at the store. Melt the wax, using a double boiler, pour the hot wax on to the egg carton that is filled with the sawdust. Into the 'egg holes', the ones with the saw dust. Don't burn yourself. Light it up and you can heat a can of Spagetti O's with one. Start fires in VERY bad conditions. Total cost is uh, cheap. snowbyrd
     
    Shotgunpapa likes this.
  2. monkeyman

    monkeyman Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I have considered doing that just because the saw mill where I get slabs (the bark and outer parts of the tree they throw away) for our wood stove has HUGE piles of saw dust about 30-40 feet tall. I also get the industrial band saw blades they are throwing away to make blades out of.
     
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  3. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    I've always been partial to the cottonball/vaseline combo.. :)
     
  4. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    Boy does that work well!

    I heard it first here, some time ago, and with kid-like ignorance and curiousity thought I'd try it...

    POOF!

    Good thing I was standing on rock when I let go of the instant-flaming ball.:eek: Gee... whoda' thought it'd work so well?!:eek:
     
    Shotgunpapa likes this.
  5. paladin

    paladin Monkey+++

    Magnifying lens

    I keep a magnifying lens in my BOB. Even though it only works on sunny days, it will last forever.
     
  6. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    ...and it's good for killing bugs, too;) .

    Now there's something I didn't have. Thanks!

    Welcome to Survival Monkey!
     
  7. monkeyman

    monkeyman Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    A lense is great to havebut would only use it as a back up redundancy. Nice sunny days is the only time they work which is the least likely time for you to realy NEED a fire. Murphy just gets to much oprotunity if its all you have for fire IMO.
     
    Joe13 likes this.
  8. Mortis

    Mortis Snake Eater

    Better late then never........

    In the pic you will notice a small firelighter log. Costs $.33 cents at WalMart. A one inch slice off this will burn for approximately 22 minutes.

    Also, the Coghlan's Firesticks work right nicely too. I sent some to a friend in Scotland. Former Para and part time Ghillie. He's used them in the Highlands and has asked for more.

    Just my nickles worth....no change required.

    [​IMG]
     
    Shotgunpapa likes this.
  9. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I used small muffin paper wrappers (about 1 inch wide at the bottom). Instant, individualy wrapped, fire starters
     
  10. crehberg

    crehberg Monkey+++

    Muffin wrappers....never thought of those before but a good idea.
     
  11. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    DSCN4426.JPG DSCN4437.JPG I am learning the art of the bow drill ,boy is it fun. DSCN4426.JPG DSCN4437.JPG
    Working the end grain actually was faster.
    Mostly pithy wood this one is poplar .
    I use the serrated edge of the knife making the drill because it helps the string bind better .
     
  12. john316

    john316 Monkey+++

    i like lint.....................BUT it must be cotton or other plant fiber
    polly will not work
     
    Joe13 likes this.
  13. Shotgunpapa

    Shotgunpapa Monkey

    well I will have to try this we burn lots of candles and I do a lot of wood working so their is no shortage of either here thanks for the info.
     
  14. Shotgunpapa

    Shotgunpapa Monkey

    hey just want to say thank you your method worked for me so thank you very much.
     
    arleigh likes this.
  15. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    Your welcome .
     
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