Bow Drill Problem


wirerat99

wirerat99

Scout
Bushclass I
Joined
May 12, 2011
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Location
Virginia
Hello all,
I am trying to light a bow drill fire for the first time. I am using a cedar spindle and a cottonwood hearth. On my first try I got a good coal but blew it out in the tinder bundle. On my second through tenth try I have yet to get another coal. One of my big problems in that my string is slipping on the spindle alot.:17: I have it pretty tight and have tried paracord and braiding a couple three strands of masons line. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Joe
 
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A couple of thoughts. I believe masons line is nylon which can be pretty slippery material. I would look for a leather cord or something with more grip. You can also carve flats on the spindle for more grip or wrap your cord in Egyption style for no slippage.
 
arctxbushman said:
Use your hand to maintain pressure on the string.
Click to expand...

Like he said. When I have slippage, I tighten the string, make sure that my spindle is all the same thickness, and that I don't have to much friction with my hand hold. I always use paracord and never have a problem with it. I would also use the same wood for both the spindle and hearth. Post some pics of your setup so that everyone can get a better idea of what your doing.
 
arctxbushman said:
Use your hand to maintain pressure on the string.
Click to expand...


To really clairify;

Hold the end of the bow with your hand, and push the string in with your thumb. You can actually have a pretty loose bow, and still maintain enough pressure with your hand to have adequate grip; once youre good at it that is.

But the thumb on the string is probably one of the more important points when starting bowdrill fires.
 
Ok here are the scraps that are left from the mornings activities.
fu9mc0.jpg

I am pretty sure one problem I am having is that my hearth is to thin. They are about 1/4 to 3/8ths thick. So I am burning through before I build enough heat. I have more cedar and could build a heart out of that. I tried adding tension to the string by holding the last few inches in my hand and squeezing with I move the drill back and forth. That seems to help. I get smoke really quick and build black dust really quick but I have a slip or something and wreck the pile before a coal forms. I guess the first go was just luck. But that coal came together like a charm. Oh well any and all help would be great.
Joe
Bearing block on the left, spindle is about 12 inches
 
wirerat99 said:
Ok here are the scraps that are left from the mornings activities.
fu9mc0.jpg

I am pretty sure one problem I am having is that my hearth is to thin. They are about 1/4 to 3/8ths thick.
Click to expand...

These would make good hand drill boards. Make your hearthboard about the same thickness as the spindle.
 
I think your kit looks good. Another thing you might want to do is make the top end of the spindle less blunt. Although it probably was before you started.

Pine needles, if you have them, are good to lube up the handhold. Plus with time, the sap will coat the handhold crater and give it a permanent polish.


Other than that it really just comes down to experience. Your form will improve with time, and the spindle wont pop out as much.
 
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As was said earlier make sure you have very little hand hold pressure because that will cause slippage alot.
 
Ok I think I am going to pack it in for a few hours, I am starting to get frustrated. I made a thicker hearth out of cedar and that didn't burn nearly as well. So I went back to what I think is cottonwood, made a thicker hearth, but when I get going I get sloppy and the spindle pops out going a hundred miles an hour and flys across the room. I think I need a bit deeper burn in hole. I am putting a lot of pressure down, is that not right? Also there is alot of very loud squeaking is that an indicator of to much pressure?
Joe
 
brother...has you use the spindle it'll form a point over time....make sure you keep that end flat, no point....need as much surface area as possible.....cedar on cedar should work well....don't give up...lol
 
wirerat99 said:
Ok here are the scraps that are left from the mornings activities.
fu9mc0.jpg

I am pretty sure one problem I am having is that my hearth is to thin. They are about 1/4 to 3/8ths thick. So I am burning through before I build enough heat. I have more cedar and could build a heart out of that. I tried adding tension to the string by holding the last few inches in my hand and squeezing with I move the drill back and forth. That seems to help. I get smoke really quick and build black dust really quick but I have a slip or something and wreck the pile before a coal forms. I guess the first go was just luck. But that coal came together like a charm. Oh well any and all help would be great.
Joe
Bearing block on the left, spindle is about 12 inches
Click to expand...

Great pic! I'd say that your getting to much friction from your bearing block and you need to get your string tension dialed in. You can also ruff up the spindle some to help. I always pencil point the tops of my spindle before each go to minimize friction up there. Here's a pic of one of my cedar spindles.

DSC01436.JPG


I think that the cedar is harder then the cottonwood. If that's the case then the spindle is going to bore through it fast. I've not worked with cottonwood yet so hopefully someone can weigh in on this.
 
The red part of cedar wood likes to glaze over quick. Its kinda resiny wood. I think you are just glazing the spindle and drilling through the board. Try to find a better spindle. Also got to scrape off the black on the hole and spindle from time to time. Cotton wood makes a great hearth, and 3/8 is thick enough. Just decrease pressure with softer woods. Start slow and smooth. Long strokes. When it smokes a bit in crease pressure just a tad, and speed it up.I would definatly try a differant spindle though. As far as the cordage goes, no special cord is needed. Nat cordage works, ad Ive used paracord and seen it done with paracord many times. Just tighten it up if its slipping. Use your thumb to apply some pressure on the cord if its needed. The bark from the cottonwood tree makes a damn nice bearing block. If your using just a piece of hardwood put some nose grease on the top of the spindle and bearing block. It will help, or seems to for me.

Sometimes the only course of action is to just throw it all down and take a breather for awhile. Come back to it later.

Good luck. Im no bowdrill guru, but Ive been practicing alot in the past 6 months. It can and will kick your butt. No matter who you are.
 
Ok, making the socket end into a point helped loads. I was for sure getting way to much friction on top. Worked more on smooth speed than pressure. I had way to much pressure before. Got three coals, blew the first two out in the bundle. So I add charcloth to the thrid coal and it ignited really quick. My bundle was just trash I scrapped up from the yard mind you, I need to make a proper bundle and try again, but it is getting better. Now my house smells like smoke and there is a small burn hole in the carpet, other than that. Complete success. Thanks to all who offered help.:dblthumb:
Joe
Can't see the cherry but it is there
34td25x.jpg

Got three coals out of one hole, burned all the way through
fmnvk5.jpg
 
Congratulations!!! Like J said I'm not an expert either but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night :)

No seriously, practice, practice, practice. I try to spin up a coal at least once a week. I try all different types of woods, skinny spindles, fat spindles, crooked boards, different bearing blocks, etc. Last week I went from a chunk of willow to a coal in 30 minutes. Some woods like pecan, I have never succeeded. Sometimes I'll take a set that I've used in the past and have all kinds of problems making it work. So experiment, be patient, and have fun.
 
Good job...I am still learning too but being a lot more consistent. Some of these guys make it look so easy in their vids and it is because they have worked at it and practiced. Keep practicing like some were saying. I never take it for granted any more and concentrate on all the little parts. I insisted for a while I would never try doing this again and all of a sudden I was back at it. Something keeps drawing you to work with it. It is a challenge, fun and satisfying.
ken
 
wirerat99 said:
Ok here are the scraps that are left from the mornings activities.
fu9mc0.jpg

I am pretty sure one problem I am having is that my hearth is to thin. They are about 1/4 to 3/8ths thick. So I am burning through before I build enough heat. I have more cedar and could build a heart out of that. I tried adding tension to the string by holding the last few inches in my hand and squeezing with I move the drill back and forth. That seems to help. I get smoke really quick and build black dust really quick but I have a slip or something and wreck the pile before a coal forms. I guess the first go was just luck. But that coal came together like a charm. Oh well any and all help would be great.
Joe
Bearing block on the left, spindle is about 12 inches
Click to expand...

I would make the hearth thicker, but based on what you said that I put in bold, I'd say trimming the spindle ends carefully after you get the pile of dust will have you rockin' and rollin'.

It's likely that your getting some binding due to the spindle wearing down which is causing the slippage. I trim the "down end" on the sides, if it's polished I'll carefully trim the round too, but trying to maintain the round shape for a good fit.

I'll trim the top end of the spindle to a point again, but leave the fire hardened tip if possible, this will help keep the point from wearing down in the future.

For some woods this is not required, but for cedar, and other even harder woods it helps me greatly. YMMV. :) Good luck!
 
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