Monthly Project - April 2013

[PetrifiedWood]

You might recognize this month's project from a couple of months ago.

KK posted a thread here:

http://bladesandbushcraft.com/index.php/topic,4994.0.html

...detailing a waxed jute "bushcraft match" that was made by Red Panda. This is very similar to a tinder tube, only it uses waxed string and is intended to sustain a flame rather than an ember. You can make this out of almost any natural fiber rope or cordage, and any metal tube that will fit snugly around the cord. Refer to the link above for pictures and ideas.

Use caution when melting wax to soak your cord. A double boiler is safer than heating it directly in a pot. Never heat wax over an open flame.

Have fun!

[MATT CHAOS]

Sounds good!  I will try this one.
 

[diogenes]

Here's the one I made a few weeks ago.  I posted this pic in KK's thread. I ended up taping the end of the jute to the tubing, but I have an idea about a better way to attach it.  I'll probably have time this weekend to get it done.

[diogenes]

Didn't really like simply taping the end of the waxed jute to the tube, so here's what I came up with.  Just a little dremeling and filing. Didn't take long.

Copper tubing, jute twine (I dismantled a couple strands and braided them to size) and a tealight candle. Warning about the wax: whatever you melt it in is gonna be kind of a pain to clean.

[PetrifiedWood]

Well done diogenes!

[kanukkarhu]

Excellent monthly project, btw!

I wanted to do my own tinder match. Here's what I came up with:

I started with a 30-06 spent casing. I drilled and ground a hole in the end of it.




I took some green jute and braided three pieces together in a simple braid (and the only braid that I know).





Then I waxed it in candlewax.







Here's a few pics how it turned out. I wrapped the twine in electrician's tape to keep it from getting wax crumbs all over the place (like inside my pack or pocket!)





I used a piece of snare wire to fasten the jute twine to the shell.





Oh, I also made a new fire steel today!







Thanks for looking, this was a really excellent monthly project.



Tapatalked from my batphone.

[diogenes]

Excellent monthly project, btw!

I wanted to do my own tinder match. Here's what I came up with:

I started with a 30-06 spent casing. I drilled and ground a hole in the end of it.

Now THAT is a cool idea. And a good use for a spent shell casing. Nice work man!

[kanukkarhu]

Excellent monthly project, btw!

I wanted to do my own tinder match. Here's what I came up with:

I started with a 30-06 spent casing. I drilled and ground a hole in the end of it.

Now THAT is a cool idea. And a good use for a spent shell casing. Nice work man!

Thanks man!


Tapatalked from my batphone.

[PetrifiedWood]

Well done! I like the re-purposed brass too!

[kanukkarhu]

Thanks PW.

I don't get all of these monthly projects done, but when I got that tinder tube, I knew I wanted to make my own.

I've always been thinking about other uses for spent casings. I don't reload, and I don't even know anyone who reloads 30-06, so.....


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[Bearhunter]

That's one heckuva idea KK
I've got to try that. I've got the wax, 30-30 shell and the green jute.
So why not

[kanukkarhu]

That's one heckuva idea KK
I've got to try that. I've got the wax, 30-30 shell and the green jute.
So why not

Heck ya, man, go for it! Post 'er up when you got it done!

As an aside, I really like these 'matches' - it seems a decent, civilized way to start a fire without hurrying and scurrying and yet works when damp and basically you have till the twine is gone. A very decent fire lighting gadget, I'd say.

30-30 shell - nice!


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[diogenes]

Anyone think there's a way to mount a flint wheel on the end of the tube? Just an idea...

[Bearhunter]

Anyone think there's a way to mount a flint wheel on the end of the tube? Just an idea...

I'm sure that it probably could be done, but I'm not that creative

[kanukkarhu]

Anyone think there's a way to mount a flint wheel on the end of the tube? Just an idea...

sounds like a DIY Zippo... Interesting.

I did think about a dedicated Ferro rod for the thing. My Ferro rod fits tightly into the '06 shell, and I shoved it in there, but it looked kinda stupid, IMO. Also shoving it in there drove the twine deep into the casing.

Your idea has promise. I believe I might have seen something like it on a Ray Mears episode...


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[diogenes]

I believe I might have seen something like it on a Ray Mears episode...

You're exactly right. I had a feeling that I'd seen it elsewhere. I'm pretty sure it's one of his Australian walkabout episodes.

I'll see if I can find that clip.

[kanukkarhu]

I believe I might have seen something like it on a Ray Mears episode...

You're exactly right. I had a feeling that I'd seen it elsewhere. I'm pretty sure it's one of his Australian walkabout episodes.

I'll see if I can find that clip.

I looked briefly, but alas, no joy...


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[greyhound352]

Here is a different version that uses petroleum jelly on the jute cord. Red had done this style in fire kit thread so I had to build me one. This is a piece of copper tubing with a ferro rod epoxied to the tubing.

[kanukkarhu]

Cool greyhound!

I wonder if there might be another way to attach that rod? I'm not a big glue fan... I'm kinda anal about attaching stuff to other stuff.


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[diogenes]

Here's a screen capture of the tinder tube from Ray Mears Goes Walkabout:



No flint wheel like I was thinking, but it comes with a piece of flint on a chain and a steel striker that stores in that slot attached to the tube.  The cord is cotton "impregnated with saltpeter" aka potassium nitrate.  Doesn't seem to light up like the ones we've been making, but burns slow as a coal. Pretty interesting.

(I was thinking of posting a clip but I'm not sure what the policy is about posting copyrighted material...)

[PetrifiedWood]

Cotton and saltpeter would be a slow match like you'd use in a matchlock rifle.

[wolfy]

Cotton and saltpeter would be a slow match like you'd use in a matchlock rifle.

[kanukkarhu]

Doesn't salt peter, um, salt your uh, peter?

This ^ was pretty cool, but I gotta admit a lot of satisfaction seeing flame ripping out of the end of a 30-06 casing... Just sayin'.


Tapatalked from my batphone.