Bow Drill

[thompbarn]

As a wilderness skill, I've been reading up on how to start a fire with a bow drill, and how to make a bow drill set. Here is a good link on the process:

Bow Drill - Basic Bow-Drill

The author lists some northeastern woods that are good for making a bow drill set. I was wondering what woods in Indiana are good for this. Have you tried making one from scratch and using it?

(Yes I have bic lighters, matches, firesteel, etc., but this would be cool to know and to show the kids.)

 

[spencer rifle]

These can all be found here:
Eastern Red Cedar (not white, but might work)

Staghorn Sumac

Most Willows

Aspens and Poplars

Basswood

Spruces (not native, but plenty in plantings and Christmas trees)

Making sure the drill has maximum contact with the socket is important so there is maximum friction. The drill end and socket have to be carved so they fit together well. Then it's a lot of elbow grease to get the thing smoking.

 

[Gamez235]

I've been playing around with them a lot the past week. I just hacked down a dead cottonwood and basswood trees for my board and have stuck with oak and hickory drills. I've been carving them up as I find time and will give it a go this weekend again.

 

[grunt soldier]

it's not as easy as they make it look for sure. i can go a month getting it every time I try and then turn around for the next couple weeks and have no luck. practice practice practice is the key for sure.

 

[Gamez235]

I had success last night! Oak Spindle, Maple board. I placed a dried leaf under the board to catch ember and placed some cat tail close once I got an ember.. Took maybe 10-12 minutes with a burnt in board. Not the easiest thing I've done, it has learning curve. I'm going to try with willow and cotton wood tonight.

 

[thompbarn]

I had success last night! Oak Spindle, Maple board. I placed a dried leaf under the board to catch ember and placed some cat tail close once I got an ember.. Took maybe 10-12 minutes with a burnt in board. Not the easiest thing I've done, it has learning curve. I'm going to try with willow and cotton wood tonight.

Nice looking set. Congrats!

 

[canamscott]

Excellent article on building a fire bow set.

Something that makes so much sense that I have never done is to lubricate the end of the arrow/spindle in the hand socket. My recommendation for the hand socket is to not use the same wood as the base, but rather use something really hard. I have seen oak, hickory, beech, sugar maple. I have even seen shell, rock, and antler used for the socket.

Practice, practice, practice.

 

[Cpt Caveman]

You can use goldenrod stalk for the spindle as well. It's hard to find one dry this time of year but in a couple months they will be all over the place.
The reason most folks have sporadic success is because they don't keep their spindle and fire board dry. If they are wet ( or you're just breaking them in) it takes a while to drive the moisture out through friction.

 

[Sailor]

I had success last night! Oak Spindle, Maple board. I placed a dried leaf under the board to catch ember and placed some cat tail close once I got an ember.. Took maybe 10-12 minutes with a burnt in board. Not the easiest thing I've done, it has learning curve. I'm going to try with willow and cotton wood tonight.

Win!