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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Anaconda12 on August 11, 2010, 05:11:00 AM

Title: Fire Piston
Post by: Anaconda12 on August 11, 2010, 05:11:00 AM
Anybody ever use one of these things or make them?  I ordered a buffalo horn piston the other day, I hope they work as advertised for the backcountry wilderness hunts I have coming up, One never knows when you may need another means to make fire!
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Eugene Slagle on August 11, 2010, 06:16:00 AM
I have one that is very easy to use, got mine from  www.primalconnection.com (http://www.primalconnection.com)  & I use either the Chauga [sp] that came with it or Char Cloth that I've made & many times it has resided with my pack for those just in case situations.

Practice with it because it does take some practice to be consistent in producing a spark, just like Flint & Steel it takes time to master it to be able to know that you'll have a nice fire going if & when the time you need to, I use mine when I go on my camping trips.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Mudd on August 11, 2010, 06:32:00 AM
I own one but just use it to show off what one can do with compression. or maybe just to show off..lol

It's fun to make a fire with as is a magnifying glass,flint and steel,batteries and steel wool,fire bow and/or matches..lol

I like fire!!! I think I've always enjoyed burning stuff. My favorite thing to burn the last 10 years or so is bamboo.

Sorry, I rattle on!

Bottom line is fire pistons work!

God bless,Mudd

PS:If you want to know the why of burning bamboo just send me a pm.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: 4est trekker on August 11, 2010, 08:19:00 AM
I make and use them all the time.  When I do a woodland/primitive skills seminar I always drop the fire piston into a clear jar of water at the beginning.  Then, at the end of the presentation I take it out and start a fire with it.  Mine are made of brass tubing, so I would suggest that with a porous material like wood.  However, the point is that they work, are weatherproof, and reliable IF you practice with them and know how to maintain and/or replace the gasket.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: JustinNC on August 11, 2010, 09:03:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Mudd:
I own one but just use it to show off what one can do with compression. or maybe just to show off..lol

It's fun to make a fire with as is a magnifying glass,flint and steel,batteries and steel wool,fire bow and/or matches..lol

I like fire!!! I think I've always enjoyed burning stuff. My favorite thing to burn the last 10 years or so is bamboo.

Sorry, I rattle on!

Bottom line is fire pistons work!

God bless,Mudd

PS:If you want to know the why of burning bamboo just send me a pm.
Maybe because it goes.....BOOOM!!! when burning?   :dunno:  I wouldn't know from experience or anything   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Eugene Slagle on August 11, 2010, 09:23:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by 4est trekker:
I make and use them all the time.  When I do a woodland/primitive skills seminar I always drop the fire piston into a clear jar of water at the beginning.  Then, at the end of the presentation I take it out and start a fire with it.  Mine are made of brass tubing, so I would suggest that with a porous material like wood.  However, the point is that they work, are weatherproof, and reliable IF you practice with them and know how to maintain and/or replace the gasket.
I've made one out of brass before too but I like the astetics of the Cocobolo one that I bought.

Exactly my point, if you practice using it, it will work very reliably.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: RAU on August 11, 2010, 10:08:00 AM
There was a real cool article in Backwoodsman magazine awhile ago about how to make one on the cheap with a plumbers copper stub out. Sorry cant remember the issue tho.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: RAU on August 11, 2010, 10:27:00 AM
This is the same exact method shown in the magazine article i mentioned.

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImN5aRHyQZA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImN5aRHyQZA)
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Pete McMiller on August 11, 2010, 11:09:00 AM
Now that looks pretty easy to make.  Thanks for the link.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Onehair on August 11, 2010, 12:54:00 PM
I have seen them made from a mini mag flashlite.
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Mudd on August 11, 2010, 01:18:00 PM
You got me to thinking...... so I dug mine out.

I might need to make a fire... if it ever cools off..lol

Mine is made from plexi-glass and works great.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: wbyrd on August 11, 2010, 01:26:00 PM
That looks really easy make. I thank you for the link too...
Title: Re: Fire Piston
Post by: Doug A on August 11, 2010, 01:58:00 PM
Yet another cool project to try. Nice!