The Numyth fire piston: http://goinggear.com/numyth-vulcan-fire-piston.html I picked this up at a great price from the website linked above. Right out of the package I could tell this thing was built to last a nuclear freaking explosion. It's very similar to a mini-Mag Light, if you've ever held one you will know what I mean. It's very light, made from aluminum, and weighs in at less than 2 oz. The top end opens to reveal a hidden chamber, complete with a rubber 'O' ring to seal it tight, and can hold an ample amount of char material or extra rubber rings. The Numyth fire piston comes with extra rubber rings, and is very well made. A small, plastic container with lube is also provided for the compression rings, and it all comes in a handy plastic bag which seals for expedient use. It only took me the first try to get a glowing ember with this piston, too. You can open the opposite end to replace the piston for storage, and to clean if necessary. Yeah, it has quickly become my favorite tool. For the price ($40), it's a very solid buy. The price has gone up $5 already. Compare this to the highly priced, wooden type fire pistons, and it's a "no-brainer". Very high quality fire piston, folks. YouTube - Numyth Vulcan Fire Piston Review‏ YouTube - NuMyth Vulcan Fire Piston‏ Another topic on fire pistons (pen sized) located here: http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/gear-reviews/21023-fire-piston-pen-sized-version.html Although I never got around to buying this pen-sized fire piston, I would still like to try it out one day.
WOW Broker...Back in the "Day" we would refer to that nice little item as "High Speed and Low Drag!" Veerrry Nice...
been thinkin bout seein if i could make one of these from scratch and make it work could be a handy skill to have someday personally i hate buying things, if they break, its gone forever if i make it, all i have to do is make a new one isnt that what bein prepped is really about, surviving without a store?
Absolutely, man! If you got some aircraft grade aluminum or titanium around...and a lathe or a CNC...game on!
the first ones were made of just good hardwood thats what id try to duplicate but i do have aluminum and titanium no cnc tho, just a homemade foot powered lathe that just takes longer to work
I did try the fire piston, but never got my charcloth to light. Personally, I prefer flint and steel over the fire piston. Just a striker and a hard piece of rock.
My favorite method is a ferro rod and/or a blastmatch, but for long term survival the fire piston is king. Granted, the skill to use flint and steel should never be underestimated. In fact, I never even liked fire pistons until I got my Numyth, and only kept my pistons around just in case. There's a certain skill involved with them, just like a flint and steel. You have to keep the piston clean and very lightly lubricated. You also have to keep the material inside the tiny cup at the base of the piston shaft and use quality tinder for best results. Some fire pistons just don't work at all. In a survival situation, any animal fat will suffice for lubrication, even some sweat and skin oil from behind your ear or from the side of your nose (an old trick my dad showed me once). Just as flint and steel require the best materials for optimum performance, so does the fire piston.
Sorry, I didn't see when this thread first started. A friend of mine first told me about these little items a few months ago. He sent me a link on how to make them & I figured I would share. http://makeprojects.com/Project/The-Fire-Piston/1356/ Edit 01/18: Link no longer works. - ghrit Let us know if you make one, and how it does.
I tried the link, but it wouldn't work.... Here is a link that might be relevant..... The Fire Piston | Make:
Thread is 5 years old, should be no surprise that some links no longer work. Thanx for your "make" link.
I kinda liked the flamethrower ukulele instructible project described at the same site....just the perfect accessory for the zombie apocalypse. Not suitable for children under 18 years of age....probably not suitable for some children over 18 years of age also Posted for information and entertainment only.....construct and use at your own risk. Note the safety recommendations Mad Max Doof Warrior Inspired Flamethrower Ukulele | Make: Although not a fire piston, it will get a charcoal fired BBQ started nicely. @Brokor thanks for reminding me of this thread....think I'll just make a copy of the fire piston instructible for my TEOTWAWKI archive.