2aHawaii
General Topics => Preparedness and Survival => Topic started by: TeamMidori on March 21, 2011, 12:36:42 PM
-
If you want to make your own fire starters, you can use 100% cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly. Yah it's old news but I just tried them and they bunt for several minutes each. They light up with just one spark from a firesteel. I made a bunch and am storing them I this round candy tin. Jus thought I'd bring up an old method of making your own firestarters.
-
very cool info, never hear that one. Have you ever stored them? if so, how well do they store?
-
My guess, being that they are petroleum based, is that they'd store very well.
Nofwitme, have any experience with other types of firestarters? Kindling, steel wool, etc..?
-
i have some "fatwood" which is very resinous pine. It lights really easily and burns really hot!!! the cotton balls store for a long time. I have them in a round candy tin. Yah steel wool is good too. 0000 steel wool of course with a battery but it also burns with just a regular match or lighter too.
If you want to fool around try making a small woodgas stove.
-
Out of experience (remember I'm from Alaska)
The cotton balls work well. Store em in an altoids tin.
The cardboard tubes from tp filled with layers of sawdust and wax burn great too.
Worst case 00/000 steel wool and a 9v battery. (other batteries work too, this is just the easiest)
-
Yeah I hear some guys use empty egg cartons and fill each compartment with wax and sawdust or wax and shredded paper. Then cut them into pieces
-
In my boy scout days we made some fire starters. One in particular that I really liked was newspaper, cut into strips and rolled into thick pieces. Tie it w/ string, and dip them / soak them in melted parafin wax. The parafin makes them somewhat water resistant, and they stay lit for a very, very long time. Never dawned on me to have them on hand again until this last tsunami. Got to get the ball rolling w/ them though.
-
In my boy scout days we made some fire starters. One in particular that I really liked was newspaper, cut into strips and rolled into thick pieces. Tie it w/ string, and dip them / soak them in melted parafin wax. The parafin makes them somewhat water resistant, and they stay lit for a very, very long time. Never dawned on me to have them on hand again until this last tsunami. Got to get the ball rolling w/ them though.
another good idea! So you just light the top of the roll? or do you put a string inside?
Anyone know where I can get bulk parafin wax for cheap?
-
Anyone know where I can get bulk parafin wax for cheap?
Might try looking at the craft store, like Ben Franklin. Ill take a look next time my wife needs me to take her.
-
speaking of boy scouts, remember the candle? the one where you get the tuna can , roll up a strip of cardboard and fill it with wax?
-
Anyone know where I can get bulk parafin wax for cheap?
Might try looking at the craft store, like Ben Franklin. Ill take a look next time my wife needs me to take her.
Ben Franklin is a bit overpriced...unless you're a member of the craft club thing that gets a discount, just go to Walmart. You can find it in the small appliance/kitchenwares area. It's used for canning so they usually have 1lb boxes by the mason jars. :thumbsup:
Personally I prefer keeping it simple. A 9 volt and some extra fine steel wool in a ziplock is good enough.
-
You guys are committed to starting fire.
I applaud you :worship:
( I joke, I joke, I kid, I kid :rofl:)
-
got to work on my fire starters today. used left over wax from candles. instead of cotton balls, i used the cotton swabs women use for cleaning make up off their face. it's easier to handle when trying to get the jelly on them, as the cotton balls would stretch and fall apart. my husband suggested making a wick, so i cut one into pieces and tried that. we'll see how the works out.
i did half the tp roll because it fits into a smaller container that i had.
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
I hear the anti-gunners ears are plentiful with wax.
-
I bought a while bunch of wax blocks from longs not long ago, on clearance $0.97. BOught about 10lbs
-
Here is something I've been playing with: Kitchen waste fat. May or may not be useful in a shtf situation.
When I cook meat with lots of fat, chicken, pork, hamburger etc. I save the fat and keep it in a container in the frig.
When I go camping or have a bbq at home, I put a few spoonfuls in newspapers or cardboard egg carton cups and light it up.
For campfires it will usually burn vigorously and long enough to light up even stubborn kindling.
This works great for starting bbq's too because you totally avoid using lighter fluid so no chance of getting any residual smell or taste.
It is natural fuel and free. You also avoid sending it down your drain to clog pipes.
I am still experimenting with different techniques, but you get the idea.
-
Good idea!
-
Oldfart, you just made this thread. Great idea!
-
Here is something I've been playing with: Kitchen waste fat. May or may not be useful in a shtf situation.
When I cook meat with lots of fat, chicken, pork, hamburger etc. I save the fat and keep it in a container in the frig.
When I go camping or have a bbq at home, I put a few spoonfuls in newspapers or cardboard egg carton cups and light it up.
For campfires it will usually burn vigorously and long enough to light up even stubborn kindling.
This works great for starting bbq's too because you totally avoid using lighter fluid so no chance of getting any residual smell or taste.
It is natural fuel and free. You also avoid sending it down your drain to clog pipes.
I am still experimenting with different techniques, but you get the idea.
how long do you keep the fat in the frig? does it smell? get rotten? the other half is concerned with bacteria, etc. thanks
-
Maybe keep in freezer?
-
how long do you keep the fat in the frig? does it smell? get rotten? the other half is concerned with bacteria, etc. thanks
===========
Yes, storage is a problem. This idea is still a work in progress. However, I recall that American indians used animal fat to make pemmican "survival food"
Here is some information about that topic:
http://blog.emergencyoutdoors.com/pemmican-original-fast-food-emergency-food-of-native-americans/ (http://blog.emergencyoutdoors.com/pemmican-original-fast-food-emergency-food-of-native-americans/)
Herewith is an interesting discussion about preserving lard (pork fat):
http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/vb/showthread.php?t=15575 (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/vb/showthread.php?t=15575)
I seem to recall American pioneers using lard in place of wax for canning foods. So they did not waste this commodity. Apparently real lard makes for GREAT pie crusts.
Someone mentioned freezing the fat. That is a good idea. I tend to generate more waste fat than actually use so freezing the excess for camping trips seems to be a winning idea. It would also help to keep your cooler that much cooler for a day or 2. Spoilage is not an issue on a typical campout. That being said, I have a soup can in the frig that I store the waste fat. I believe it will start to get moldy eventually, but not yet. It has been there about 6 months. Apparently, the key to long shelf life is boil the moisture out and can it airtight.
Our forefathers had this all figured out. We are just re-inventing the wheel.
-
Oh, by the way...if you need wax for fire starting or whatever, try making friends with a beekeeper. Beeswax is the best. I use it to make my own bullet lube (modified NRA formula).
It is a very useful item. Caution, melting beeswax will attract honey bees.
-
Oh, by the way...if you need wax for fire starting or whatever, try making friends with a beekeeper. Beeswax is the best. I use it to make my own bullet lube (modified NRA formula).
It is a very useful item. Caution, melting beeswax will attract honey bees.
Any place sells the beeswax in bulk?
-
Ebay
-
Any place sells the beeswax in bulk?
None of your beeswax... :rofl:
-
None of your beeswax... :rofl:
haha I seen that coming from you. :rofl:
-
Any place sells the beeswax in bulk?
I am going to pick up a few pounds this week. It is not as cheap as parowax but I like supporting the local economy. It is pure Hawaiian beeswax from local apiaries.
The cost is $6.00 per pound for quantities less than 100#.
I have not purchased from this particular beekeeper before so I do not know how neat and clean the wax is. However it is not difficult to melt and strain through cheesecloth.
-
I am going to pick up a few pounds this week. It is not as cheap as parowax but I like supporting the local economy. It is pure Hawaiian beeswax from local apiaries.
The cost is $6.00 per pound for quantities less than 100#.
I have not purchased from this particular beekeeper before so I do not know how neat and clean the wax is. However it is not difficult to melt and strain through cheesecloth.
Hey oldfart do you think I can pick some up with you? LMK! Thanks.
-
Hey oldfart do you think I can pick some up with you? LMK! Thanks.
How much did you want? Remember it is $6 per pound. What you planning to do with it?
Personally, I use it to make cast bullet lube. But I also wanted to try making candles. I just thought it would be a fun thing to do with the kids.
If you only need a couple pounds, I'll just pick it up and you can hit me up later.
-
almost forgot a good one-
dryer lint!
aloha
steve
If you want to make your own fire starters, you can use 100% cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly. Yah it's old news but I just tried them and they bunt for several minutes each. They light up with just one spark from a firesteel. I made a bunch and am storing them I this round candy tin. Jus thought I'd bring up an old method of making your own firestarters.
-
1. go to a 2a site
2. start a thread about how the trayvon shooter was racist
3. aim monitor at some tinder
4. keep hitting refresh
-
1. go to a 2a site
2. start a thread about how the trayvon shooter was racist
3. aim monitor at some tinder
4. keep hitting refresh
Hey, isn't that what you did?
-
guilty as charred
-
How much did you want? Remember it is $6 per pound. What you planning to do with it?
Personally, I use it to make cast bullet lube. But I also wanted to try making candles. I just thought it would be a fun thing to do with the kids.
If you only need a couple pounds, I'll just pick it up and you can hit me up later.
I was thinking the same thing, candles. I'm going to be off island for a while so I guess I'll pass on this round. Let me know how clean it was. I'll hit you up later. Thanks! :shaka:
-
I was thinking the same thing, candles. I'm going to be off island for a while so I guess I'll pass on this round. Let me know how clean it was. I'll hit you up later. Thanks! :shaka:
==============
I went to meet with that beekeeper yesterday. Quite a remarkable person. I bought about 7 pounds of wax to attempt candlemaking with my kids.
I understand that pure beeswax candles are the holy grail of candles so we shall see. The wax was very clean and ready to use.
Going off topic a bit....
As a bonus, he gave me a small bottle of honey. WOW is that stuff good. I compared it to some Molokai honey and the Costco honey and there is no comparison. It is WAY better. I know what I'll be giving away for Christmas this year.
Additionally, we talked about my using the wax to manufacture my custom bullet lube. He brought out an antique Bavarian rifle that he was trying to identify. It was in poor condition with rust and a broken stock, but the craftsmanship and design was superbly elegant. Single shot-Top Break trigger guard release-Double set trigger- Slim hand checkered walnut stiock with schnable forend-Octagonal bbl. Perhaps I'll start a thread on this. Maybe someone has knowledge of this.
-
==============
I went to meet with that beekeeper yesterday. Quite a remarkable person. I bought about 7 pounds of wax to attempt candlemaking with my kids.
I understand that pure beeswax candles are the holy grail of candles so we shall see. The wax was very clean and ready to use.
Going off topic a bit....
As a bonus, he gave me a small bottle of honey. WOW is that stuff good. I compared it to some Molokai honey and the Costco honey and there is no comparison. It is WAY better. I know what I'll be giving away for Christmas this year.
Additionally, we talked about my using the wax to manufacture my custom bullet lube. He brought out an antique Bavarian rifle that he was trying to identify. It was in poor condition with rust and a broken stock, but the craftsmanship and design was superbly elegant. Single shot-Top Break trigger guard release-Double set trigger- Slim hand checkered walnut stiock with schnable forend-Octagonal bbl. Perhaps I'll start a thread on this. Maybe someone has knowledge of this.
Wow sounds like you scored. I guess next time I gotta get some. thanks!
-
I like to use cotton balls and petro jelly. I might also mix in steel wool into the cotton for wet or hard start situations or magnesium shavings. This is more of a 2-4 min burn with 2 balls. If you want to prolong the burn use wax and that easily doubles or triples the burn time. Just gotta understand you tinder or kindling type and how much burn you need to light the kindling. I will also use cotton balls with petro jelly and then wax dip. I also like to use toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls. Set them upright on wax paper and stuff with dryer lint or cotton balls in about 1" segments and add fill with wax. When full add more lint then pour in wax, etc, etc. Cut off 1/4" to 1/2" segments to burn. The roll automatically gets saturated from the inside out with wax. I also use Jute twine, sisal rope or Manilla rope also saturated in vasoline, but usually use wax coating. Wax is the best for water tight. Just note that wax is harder to light so for the toilet paper rolls I will slice the paper roll and attempt to fray the cut edge, or rough up the inner lint to catch a spark. Also on the twine or rope balls I will leave a tail to peel back the wax and fray the ends to help take a spark. Sisal is the most difficult.
In this picture small starters from top L to R, - 2 cotton balls petro jelly impregnated and wax dipped (~5-7 min burn time), 2 cotton balls petro soaked with steel wool (can be lit with flint or 9V battery, same ~5-7 min burn time), Small bundle Jute twine wax dipped (~5 min burn time).
Bottom row are larger fire starters L to R - Toilet paper roll with dryer lint and filled with wax (3/8" slice ~10-15 min burn time, Sisal rope bundled and wax dipped (~10-15 min burn time), 10 petro jelly soaked cotton balls wrapped with toilet paper and bound with Jute twine (~20-30 min burn time).
(http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/531109_373113149441546_1113005843_n.jpg)
-
^^^ too much time...
Nah. Jk.
-
wow surf, pretty imaginative
-
For real huh. I'm gonna try some of that. Now I got a use for my old toilet paper rolls. Chee
-
So te toilet paper rolls, u fill em up with the junk then when it cools you slice it?like a banana?
-
Toilet paper rolls and dryer lint, 2 things easily found in any household
-
^^^ too much time...
Nah. Jk.
Actually I seem to have too little time these days.
In reality, bush tactics / wilderness or outdoor survival is just a small part of one of many topics that I help to educate on full time. I would put out some video's on the topic but there are many out there and my other video endeavor takes up waaaay too much time as it is. :)
So te toilet paper rolls, u fill em up with the junk then when it cools you slice it?like a banana?
Pretty much. ;)
Dryer lint, cotton balls, sawdust, pretty much any small or easily combustible material. All of that lint in your vacuum cleaner works well also. Not as sanitary as dryer lint however but it really doesn't matter as far as the fire is concerned.
Toilet paper rolls and dryer lint, 2 things easily found in any household
Exactly. Also candles are very common. Use a simple double boiler to melt the candle and mix with other small combustibles and you can make much more highly efficient items for providing fire starting, light or heat than that simple candle could provide.
-
dryer lint. i love it. O0
-
Mr. "Surf"
Maika`i post with the pix and info. Mahalo.
-
I was thinking the same thing, candles. I'm going to be off island for a while so I guess I'll pass on this round. Let me know how clean it was. I'll hit you up later. Thanks! :shaka:
-----------------
Just tried making some beeswax candles. Candlemaking is a lot harder than I thought it was. :o
-
Your very welcome. :)
-
-----------------
Just tried making some beeswax candles. Candlemaking is a lot harder than I thought it was. :o
What was the problem? Is it the type of wax?
-
What was the problem? Is it the type of wax?
============
In a nutshell:
Wick needs to be the correct size for a given diameter and wax type.
Wick needs to be perfectly centered. That is why the dipping method is used, even though it is very time consuming.
Google "troubleshooting candles" for lots of reasons why it's not as easy as you might think.
That being said, I think I'm pretty close to getting something usable as xmas gifts.
I think it is pretty cool to be able to make it and say they were handmade by you and your family.
One bonus benefit, when cleaning up the mess of spilled wax all over the place you will have plenty of material to make your camping or survival fire starter packs.
:shaka:
-
============
In a nutshell:
Wick needs to be the correct size for a given diameter and wax type.
Wick needs to be perfectly centered. That is why the dipping method is used, even though it is very time consuming.
Google "troubleshooting candles" for lots of reasons why it's not as easy as you might think.
That being said, I think I'm pretty close to getting something usable as xmas gifts.
I think it is pretty cool to be able to make it and say they were handmade by you and your family.
One bonus benefit, when cleaning up the mess of spilled wax all over the place you will have plenty of material to make your camping or survival fire starter packs.
:shaka:
that's great man, sounds Like a great family moment with gifts to give at the end. let me know when you make another wax trip. :shaka:
-
I would be down for some wax too.
-
I've ground up those firestarting sticks and duralogs into a sort of homemade maya dust. I'll keep it in a tin with a few bigger chunks of the stick as well. Catches a flame very well, and if need be can be sprinkled on top of embers to bring a flame back.
-
Anyone try one of those EXotac fire starters? Seen them in a Travis Haley EDC article. Looked pretty cool.
-
.
-
what's an "improved" bic lighter?
i remember some of the pyros in high school making them shoot six inches or so in the air
(1) Film / pill bottle, stuffed with cotton balls lightly coated in petroleum jelly.
Some water proof matches/zippo/ 'improved' bic lighter.
All the fire starter you need.
Steel wool and a battery also work in a pinch.
-
what's an "improved" bic lighter?
i remember some of the pyros in high school making them shoot six inches or so in the air
I used to "improve" my Bic lighters by removing that pesky "child safety" thing.
-
char cloth is easy to make, just put some cloth, (old teeshirts cut into strips) put it in a air tight can and put it on your grill, the lack of oxygen will char the cloth but the lack of oxygen wont burn it, then when you try to light it, it lights up super easy.
cotton balls and chapstick make a good starter to. try keep some tubes of chapstick around multi purpose.
-
cool info :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
I got a few contributions to this:
1) Fire Piston. Google it. Buy one. You will never run out of fire (unless the thing breaks, so get a good quality one). Maybe $30 to $100.
2) Magnifying glass. Get a huge one. Or get a big fresnel lens (flatter). When the sun shines, no need to worry about fire. Cheap.
3) Mylar (or foil); make your own parabolic solar oven / firestarter. Need a big enough sheet. Don't blind your eyes! :-) Cheap too!
All of these work better with fire starting material such as the cotton + petroleum but they are mighty strong enough by themselves to light most tinder. And the key is that the are sustainable. We got a ton of sun here in HI and intense too.
I have fire steels and other stuff too but these would be my GO TO items if Bic lighters don't work no more.
PS - in a pinch, put a big ass sheet of saran wrap / glad wrap / the packing wraps, over a large window frame (no glass) or make your own square frame with sticks, etc. and then put it up on a support. Now, slowly pour some clean water on it. You will make a big ass lens. Get the distance right and you will fry whatever is on the bottom with your DIY super cheap beam weapon. Just be careful the water doesn't put out the fire! And don't do this without taking it all down because it is a fire hazard (rain will also make it work!!)
-
You guys are committed to starting fire.
I applaud you :worship:
( I joke, I joke, I kid, I kid :rofl:)
:rofl:
-
This Firestarter works GREAT!! Of course, they are difficult to find! :D
-
Hehehe, those of us who get the joke might have grown up before the word "Playstation" was created :-D
-
Pong was bad ass !
Until space invaders came along and ruined it.
Dryer lint, hand sanitizer and magnesium fire starter.
It doesn't burn as long but the alcohol in the hand sanitizer makes the lint ignite super fast.
Need pretty good tinder though due to length of burn time.
I keep dryer lint in old pellet cans/cases in my backpack.
And you can clean up before dinner ;D