AussieFireBow

FireLightingUsingaFireBowDrill ByDaveLittledlittle42@optusnet.com.au (Brisbane,Australia) ThiswasthemethodusedbytheAmericanIndians&alsobytheancientEgyptians&others.Stoneagesurgeonsusedthis systemasaskullbonedrill. Drillsticks,Hearthorbaseboards,Sockets,Bows&Cordage. Frequentlyupdated,morephotostofollow. ThispagehasbeencompiledspecificallytogiveinformationinsomedetailonsuitableAustraliantimbersaswellastimbers occurringinmanyotherpartsoftheworld,plussomemethodsnotdescribedanywhereelse,thatIhaverediscovered.Forthings thatarewelldescribedelsewhereIhaveprovidedlinks.

UsingaBowDrillInStandingPosition. Whybother: WellformanyyearsIwasasmalltimeminer&prospector,&actuallyusedtheoldaboriginalhanddrillmethodoccasionallyinNorthWestQueensland,intheGulf country&aroundMountIsa.IdiscoveredthattheKalkadoonsusedtouseapeabush.Idonotknowthescientificnameforit. ItistheonlytimberIhavebeensuccessfulwithusingthehanddrillmethodthoughIhavenottriedmany.Itisdifficult&veryhardonyourhands.Importanttonotusetoo slimadrillasifyoudoyoutendtorubyourhandstogetherasyoudrill&getblistersevenquicker.Alsoyourdrillstickaswellasbeingstraightneedstobeaminimum 500mmlong&morethanthatevenbetter.Asyourotatethedrillyouarealsopushingdown.Yourhandsworktheirwaydownthedrill&youhavetoquicklymove thembacktothetop&recommencedrillingbeforetoomuchheatislost.Twopeoplealternatingcanmakeiteasier. Thebowdrilloncemasteredismuchsimpler&enablesyoutouseawidevarietyoftimbers. Anyway,IcannotenvisagewhyIwouldeverneedtheseskillsnow,livinginsuburbiainSouthEastQueensland,butithassomeprimitivefascination&givesan unreasonabledegreeofsatisfactionwhenyouachieveaglowingcoal.Acoalisonlythefirstcrucialsteptoaflameofcourse&youneedtodevelopfirelightingskills usingonlybushmaterialsinyourbackyardBarBQbeforetryingtoimpressanyone. Therearemanywebsitesdevotedtothisfieldofendeavour.AlmostallfromtheUSA.Idecidedtolearnthetechniques&cataloguethetimbers&methodsthatIfound successful.Ihavefoundittobeafascinatinghobby,collectingthevarioustimbers&learningtoidentifythem.Itreallyaddsinteresttoaweekenddriveifyouareonthe lookoutforsuitabletimberstotry.Thenitisnecessarytoidentifyyoursampleasitisnotmuchuseforfuturereferenceotherwise. Aswellasaddinginteresttodrivesitalsomakesawalkinthesuburbsmoreinteresting.Ihaveneverbeforetakenmuchnoticeofthehugevarietyofplantsgrowinginour streets,parks&gardens&whocaresifyoupickupadeadstick&carryithome. Soyouhavemoreincentivetogoforaregularwalkifyouarelikeme&reallyneedtheexercise.Thentherealexercisecomeswhenyouaretryingtoconqueradifficult wood. Methods&Materials Alltheliterature,bothprinted&onthewebthatIhaveseenshowsthesubjectkneelingonthegroundwithoneknee&thefootoftheotherlegholdingdownthebase

streets,parks&gardens&whocaresifyoupickupadeadstick&carryithome. Soyouhavemoreincentivetogoforaregularwalkifyouarelikeme&reallyneedtheexercise.Thentherealexercisecomeswhenyouaretryingtoconqueradifficult wood. Methods&Materials Alltheliterature,bothprinted&onthewebthatIhaveseenshowsthesubjectkneelingonthegroundwithoneknee&thefootoftheotherlegholdingdownthebase board.Wellthatposturerulesmostofusoutforastart.LetssayI'llneverbemistakenforagyminstructor.Iliketostand.Itsmucheasiertogetup.Ithinkitisalsoa factorinmysuccess.Aboutfoursuccessestoonefailure.Mindyousomeofthesuccesswerehardearned. Useastableoldchairorexteriorstairsthatyoucanstandalongside,orasawhorselikestructurewithatleasta200mmwideplank.Putyourbaseboardonthisraised platformorifinthebush,onalog.Liftyourleftfootupandplantitonthebaseboard.(Ifyouarerighthanded)Inthebushitcanbeeasiertodigaholeforyourright footinsomesituations.Anyway,youdonothavetokneelontheground. Tolearnthemethods,beeasyonyourselftostartwith.Youdonotwanttogooffintothebushwithoutevenaknife,makeadrill,baseboard,socket,bow&cordage onyourfirstattempt,thoughallthisispossiblelater. Foryourfirstseriousattemptwhenyoufeelyouhavealltheingredientsforsuccess,chooseacoolmoonlightnightforreasonsexplainedlater. 1/Chooseaneasymaterialforyourhearthboard&drill,locallyavailable,fromtheinformationbelow.Onceproperlysetupthisshouldgiveyouacoalinthirty seconds.Progresstothemoredifficulttimberslater. 2/Findwherethedogburieshisbones,digoneup.Startwithadogbonesocket.(Actuallyabeefroundboneorfemur,onecorrespondentaskedifheshouldask avetforadogbone)Onceyouhavemasteredthemethodusingabonesocket,tryabottlecap.Getashortstickabout25mmthick.Splititinhalfthenpressthe serratededgeofthebottletop(preferablybeerbottletop)againstthewood.Thepointedtopofyourdrillquicklyindentsthecap&formsanexcellentsocket.Youuse yourfingerseachsideofthedrilltoholditinposition.Ittakespracticebuttheresultsaregreatasthereisvirtuallynofriction.

ObtainingASocket 3/Obtainabout1metreof5mmrope.Ipreferthecommonlyavailableextelecomblue&whiteropeusedforpullingcables&thensoldoffinfleamarkets.Inanycase ropethatisnotfurryorstretchy.Youcanadvancetoshoelaceslater.

BottleTopSocket 4/Findagreenspringybranch.Wattleisgood.Preferablyabout900mmlong&about15to20mmthicktolearnwith,thoughlateryouwillfindthata300mmorless lengthbowcanworkwell.Ifpossiblecutthebranchoffleavingasmallforkinthethinnerend,theeasiertotietheropeto. Atthethickerend,useahacksaworthinsawblade&maketwocutsabout3mmapart&15mmdeep.Removethecentralpiecetoformaslot.Ifyoudonothavea knifeorsawblade,splittheendofthestick,wedgethesplitopenwithsomethingwhileyouputthecordinthenbindabitofthincordaroundthesplittostopitrunning furtherdownyourbow. Tieyourropetotheforkedend.

BottleTopSocket 4/Findagreenspringybranch.Wattleisgood.Preferablyabout900mmlong&about15to20mmthicktolearnwith,thoughlateryouwillfindthata300mmorless lengthbowcanworkwell.Ifpossiblecutthebranchoffleavingasmallforkinthethinnerend,theeasiertotietheropeto. Atthethickerend,useahacksaworthinsawblade&maketwocutsabout3mmapart&15mmdeep.Removethecentralpiecetoformaslot.Ifyoudonothavea knifeorsawblade,splittheendofthestick,wedgethesplitopenwithsomethingwhileyouputthecordinthenbindabitofthincordaroundthesplittostopitrunning furtherdownyourbow. Tieyourropetotheforkedend. Tosetthecorrectlengthfortherope,leaveaslightamountofslack&laytheropethroughtheslot.Notethepointwhereitgoesthroughtheslot,removingitfromtheslot &tieasinglesimpleknotinit.Sititbackintheslot. Whenyoutwistyourdrillthroughtherope,itshouldtakeuptheslack&causethebowtoholdittight.Ifnot,movetheknot.Ifthecordisthin&youareafraiditwill breakwhenyoufirstputthedrilltoit&applythetwist,startwiththedrillalmostparalleltothecord&gentlyapplythetwistingforcewhilerollingthedrillbackwards& forwards.Graduallybringthedrilltorightangle.Doingthisyoucanendupwithamuchtighterbowstringwithoutbreakingit.Thestringorcorddoesnotneedtobe excessivelytight.Youincreasetensionasrequiredbydepressingitwithyourfingersifitbeginstosliponthedrill.

LargebowwithDogBoneSocket,Drill&BaseBoard

SmallnaturalBow,Barkcord,BottleTopSocket,Drill&Hearthboard(Lantana)

5/Drill:ItisCRITICALLYimportanttostartwithadrillstickthatisasstraightaspossible,about250mmlong&about15or20mmthickformosttimbers.Ifthedrill stickisnotstraightitwillwobbleallovertheplace&willbeverydifficulttocontrol.Useaknifetocutthedrillendtoaveryshortconepoint.Aslightlycurveddrillcan usuallybecarvedstraight.Itismuchbettertocompromiseonthelengthofthedrillstickthanthestraightness.Ihavelitplentyoffireswitha100mmlongdrillbutvery fewwithabentone. Thesocketendwantstobecutbacktoaboutpencilthicknessforabout50mmalongthelengthtoplaceinthesocketholeifyouareusingabeefshinbone.Canbelessif youuseavertebraeorabottletop.Donotcutittoasharppointasitcouldburnaholeinthebone&itisnotnecessary. 6/Splita20mmto30mmthickby150mmlongstickinhalflengthwise,orslicethetophalfoffabout50mmfromoneend.Youdonotwantmorethan10mmof baseboardbeneathyourdrillorittakestoomuchpunktofilltheslotuptothedrillinterfacewiththebaseboard.Usingthepointofyourknife,startasmalldepressionto takethepointofyourdrill.Don'tuseapocketfoldingknifewithoutbeingawarethatifyouarenotcareful,whenyouputpressureonthepointitcansnapshutonyour fingers. 7/Placethehearthorbaseboardonyourraisedplatform,aboutkneeheight,withtheendtobedrilleddirectlyawayfromyou&placeyourleftfootonit.

baseboardbeneathyourdrillorittakestoomuchpunktofilltheslotuptothedrillinterfacewiththebaseboard.Usingthepointofyourknife,startasmalldepressionto takethepointofyourdrill.Don'tuseapocketfoldingknifewithoutbeingawarethatifyouarenotcareful,whenyouputpressureonthepointitcansnapshutonyour fingers. 7/Placethehearthorbaseboardonyourraisedplatform,aboutkneeheight,withtheendtobedrilleddirectlyawayfromyou&placeyourleftfootonit.

Iliketostand.Itseasiertogetup. 8/Putyourdrilltothebowrope&twisttheropeinasingletwistaroundthedrill.Restthepointinthedepressionyouhavemadeinthehearthboard.Havethebow stringfacingyourlegwiththebowwoodhorizontal&awayfromyourleg,theropepointinginastraightlinealongthehearthboard,otherwisethedrillwillkeepjumping outofthehearthboardbowelthatformsorbreakoutthesideofyourboard.ThedrillMUSTbeontheoutsideoftheropeawayfromthebow&Ifindbest,withthe ropeatyourhandleendonthehighsideabovethetwist.Thisallowsyoutoholdtheropeupwithyourfingers&keepanupwardpressureonit.Ifindthiseasierthan thereversewhereyouhaveitonthelowerside&depressitasyournaturalgriponthehandleendcanbeusedtopressupward.Thispreventstheropeabradingagainst itself.Ifthedrillstickisinsidetherope,itwillquicklycuttherope.Eitherretwistthedrillorendforendthebow&turnthedrillthrough180.Youwillsoonlearnthe trick.Forstability,holdthesocket&drilltopinapositionthatallowsyoutolockyourwristhardinagainstyourleftleg,thenbeginagentlesawingmotiontobedthe drillin,keepingthemotioninthesamelineasthehearthboard. 9/Afterthebedorbowlisproperlyformed,cutanapproximately5to7mmwideslotinonesideofthehearthboardrightthroughuntilitpenetrateswellintothebowl &verticallydownthroughtothebottomoftheboard.Ifindtheslotworksbestformeifitisonmylegsideforsomereason.

10/Getapieceofcarpetunderfeltorothermaterialthatwillsmouldereasily&placeitunderthehearthboard.

10/Getapieceofcarpetunderfeltorothermaterialthatwillsmouldereasily&placeitunderthehearthboard.

11/Ifyourdrillhasformedapointwhilestartingtheinitialbowl,bluntit.Theendisbestifitisalmostflatwithjustataperaroundtheouteredge.Setthedrillupagain& slowlystartsawing.Whenitstartstosmoke,continuewithlongsmoothstrokestoallowthepunk(sawdust)tobuildup&filltheslot.Youmusthaveacertainmassof punkforignitiontotakeplaceasithelpstotraptheheat. Nowapplyalittlemoredownwardpressure&sawmorerapidly.Countoffthirtysecondsofrapidsawing.REMEMBERTOBREATHE.Donotholdyourbreathor youwillbequicklyexhausted.Whenthesmokeiscomingupincopiousrapidlyrisingcoils,stop.Ifthepunkcontinuestosmoke,youhaveacoal.Rememberthewhole processshouldbegentlewiththeeasiertimbers.Youdonothavetousemuchdownwardpressure&youdonothavetosawback&forthatgreatspeed.Easydoes it.Ifyousawfranticallyyouarejustaslikelytoloosecontrolorbecomesoexhaustedthatwhenyougetacoal,youendupknockingitdown&loosingit. 12/Leaveitforafewsecondsthengentlyblowonit.Afterthecoalisproperlyestablished,removethehearthboard,wrapthecoalinthetinder&blowitintoaflame. Withsometimbersyougetbetterresultsifyouwaitforawhile,evenaminuteorso&letthecoalgrowbeforegoingtothenextstageofblowing&transferringtoor wrappingintinder.

NOWTAKEADEEPBREATH&HOWLATTHEMOON. Youneverknowwhatmightcomeoutofthewoodsonceyouhaveawarmfiregoing: Problems 1/Thedrillformsapoint&quicklycutsthroughthehearthboard.Aftereachattempt,rubtheendofthedrillonconcreteoranabrasivesurfacetobluntthe businessend.IfthedrillhasahardcorecutanXthroughtheend. 2/Drillbecomeshardtospin.Slicesomewoodoffthetopofthehearthboard.Thebowlistoodeeporthetopendofyourdrillistoothick&itisrubbingontheside ofthesocket.Perhapsyourdrillstickisnotstraightorthebottomendofthedrillhaswornback&leftashoulder.Fromthemarksontheendofthedrillyoucantell whatthenaturalcentrepointis,shapethedrillintoacircularcylinderaroundthiscentrefor25mmbackfromthebusinessend.Thedrillshouldspineasily.Disregard suggestionsonotherwebsitesaboutcuttingflatfacesonthedrilltostopthecordslipping.Ifyouhavereasonabletensiononthedrillitshouldspinfreely.Unlessyouare tryingtouseslipperyropeorcord.Certainlyrubthedrillwithahandfullofsandifitisreallysmooth,otherwiseworkoutwhyitishardtospin&solvetheproblem. 3/Theropeclimbsorrunsdownthedrill.Youcontrolthisbypointingthefarendofthebowupordownasrequired,thensawhorizontally. 4/Thedrillsqueaks&doesnotformpunkorsmoke.Roughentheendofthedrill&ifnecessarythebowlinthebaseboard. 5/Heapsofsmokebutnocoalaftermajoreffort.Chooseanothertimber.Somesimplydonotworknomatterhowgoodyourtechnique.Ifyouknowitisatimber thathasworkedbefore,refertoHighHumidity. 6/Thedrillstopsrotating,eventhoughyoucontinuetosaw&thepunkisbeingwhippedawayateverystroke.Yourropebroke. 7/Highhumidity.Makesureyourdrillspindle&baseboardareabsolutelydry.Eventheeasiesttimbersareeitherdifficultorimpossibleiftheyarenotextremelydry. Ifyougotouseafiredrill&baseboardthathaspreviouslybeensuccessfulbutnowdoesnotwork,itprobablyhasabsorbedmoisture,especiallyifyouaretryingitfirst thinginthemorningorifitisraining.Trydryingitinthesunorsimplyuselightpressureforacoupleofminutestoallowfrictiontodryitout.Youalsoprobablyhavenot flattenedtheendofyourdrillorremovedexcesswoodfromthetopofthebowlinthebaseboard.Greentimberdriesquicklyontopofyourcomputermonitorso makesureyoutakeitwithyounexttimeyougetlostinthebush.Donotblocktheairventsonyourmonitororyoumightgettoseeitsmoulder. 8/Yourfamily&friendsdonotunderstandyou&sayitsanobsession.Donotworryaboutit.Itishardevenfornormalpeoplelikeustounderstand. 9/Thereisasmelllikeburningporkwhileyouaredrilling.Iknowitsimportanttogetthatcoalglowingbutyoudonothavetoholdtheredhotbottlecapwithyour fingers.Theserrations&downwardpressurewillholditagainstthewoodinsulator. Note:TherearequitegoodillustrationsonanotherAussiesitegivenbelow.http://sdayouth.cybersite.com.au/pathfind/special/camping/wliving/wlive5.htm Testresultsforvarioustimbers&methods From13/4/01: GrassTreeorBlackboyflowerstalk.(Xanthorrhoea) Oneoftheeasiestforbothdrill&hearthboard.Suitableforfirelightingusingbushspuncord&withanyhardtimberforasocket.Forphotovisit http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL8/dec9714b.html PoincianaDelonixregia Widelygrownintroducedstreettree.Easyspeciesforfirelighting.Iusedabeerbottletopwiththeserratededgepressedagainstasoftwoodstickwithaflatsurface carvedonit.Thepointofthefiredrillformedanindentationinthecap&workedwell.Yourfingersformpartoftheguide&youquicklylearntocentrethesocket& holditsteady.Withtheeasiertimbersyoudonothavetoworkhard.Takeiteasy&withlightpressure.Fortreephotohttp://mgonline.com/royalp.html MoretonBayFig:Ficusmacrophylla Quick&easy.Bottletopsocketworkedwellwiththisspeciesalso.Acordagetreeaswell.Forphotovisithttp://www.fitzroygardens.com/Treesinthe Gardens.htm#Ficusmacrophylla.JPG CAMPHORLAUREL(Cinnamomumcamphora)

holditsteady.Withtheeasiertimbersyoudonothavetoworkhard.Takeiteasy&withlightpressure.Fortreephotohttp://mgonline.com/royalp.html MoretonBayFig:Ficusmacrophylla Quick&easy.Bottletopsocketworkedwellwiththisspeciesalso.Acordagetreeaswell.Forphotovisithttp://www.fitzroygardens.com/Treesinthe Gardens.htm#Ficusmacrophylla.JPG CAMPHORLAUREL(Cinnamomumcamphora) OriginallyfromChina.Beautifultree,consideredapestinsomeareas. Quick&easytogetacoalbutgivesoffapungentchokingsmokeintheprocess. Lantana:camaraVerbenaceae ProbablytheeasiestIhavetriedtodate.Iusedasectionofvineapprox.12mmthickforboththehearthboard&thedrill.IgoteightfiresfromtheonebowlbeforeI hadtostartanotherinthehearthboard.Icutthevinegreen,strippedthebarkoffit&leftittodryforeightweeks.ItwassoeasythatIbelieveitwouldbeeasyasa handdrillmaterial.Youneedastraightsection500mmormorelongforahanddrill.Gettingastraightpieceoflantanathislong&dryinthebushwouldbeachallenge butagreenpiececouldbeheatedoverafire&straightenedonceaninitialfirehadbeenachieved. Seeaboriginalspearstraightening:http://ozoutback.com.au/postcards/postcards_forms/abor_craft_2/Source/5.htm BroadleafPepperTreeorPepperinaTree:Schinusterebinthifolia IntroducedpestspeciescommonaroundBrisbane.Verygooddrill&hearthboard.Muchpunk&largecoalquicklyobtained. http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/schinus_terebinthifolius_thumbnails.htm AfricanTulip:Spathodeacampanulata.See:http://mgonline.com/africantuliptree.html Fairtoeasy.Needsplentyofairtostartsmouldering.Ahelpergentlyblowingwouldbeadvantageous.Ifoundalargerthanusualslotinthehearthboardgavebest results. PoplarTree:(PopulusalbaorperhapsPopuluseuramericana)Veryeasy.Smokesquicklybuttakesalittlewhiletoignite.Punkfairlyfibrouscouldbethereason. Witha7mmslotinthehearthboard,moreairgetstothepunk&ignitionisbetterwithanyofthefibrouspunks.Goodbeginnertimber. WeepingWillow:Salixbabylonica Quitesoftwood.Veryeasytogetagoodcoalbutyoumustuselightpressureonthedrill.Otherwiseitformsacoarsepunk&rapidlyabradesthehearthboardaway withoutheatingthepunkenoughtoignite.Thislightpressuremethodisbestonmostofthesofttimbers. CockspurThornBushorVine:Maclura(FormerlyCudrania)cochinchinensis.See http://www.infinitearts.com.au/brain/database/mc.html Thephotoattheabovesiteshowsthisvineinfruit,(Edible)howeveritoftenhasverylittleleaftowardstheendofsummer&fromadistancecanlookjustlikedead lantana. Itismostlyathornygreybushthatsendsoutlongarchingcaneslikeablackberrybushbutwithveryaggressivelargehookedthorns.Theslightestprickcanbepainful. Usuallyseeninclearedslightlyrockyridges. Carefullyknockthethornsoffasectionofdeadvine,usingabout20mmdiameterforboththe drill&hearthboard.Hardwoodbutstartseasilyifthedrillisfirstpointedtostartthebowl. WhiteCedar:Meliaazedarachvaraustralasica NottheeasiestbutOKDrill&hearthboardapprox.20mm.Bonesocket.Needtousegentlepressureinitiallyuntilsmokingwell,thenfirmer&faster.Slotinhearth boardabout5mmwide&wellintothebowlofthedrillcavity.Needtoflattentheendofthedrillbyscrapingonaroughstone,cementetc.otherwiseitformsapoint& doesnotwork.Donotletthebowlinthehearthboardbecomemorethanabout5mmdeepasadeepholewastesalotofenergywhentheinevitablewobbleofthedrill hitsthesideswithoutgeneratingheat. Mostoftheheatisgeneratedatthebottomofthedrill. Simplyflakesomewoodoffthetopofthehearthboardwhenthebowlbecomestoodeep.http://www.treefarm.com.au/Melia_azedarach.htm Curracabah(BlackWattle)Acacialeiocalyx: ForphotosofmostAcacias,seehttp://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/photolist.html Smallshrub,easternQueensland&NSW.Largesickleshapedleaves.Longtwistedseedpods. FlowersinAutumn&earlywinter.Thiswattlespringsupinclearedareasparticularlyafterfire. Itsendsupstraightshaftsorsuckerstothreeorfourmetresinlightlytimberedareas&isoftenkilledbybushfiresorjustdryweatheratthisstage. Veryhardtimber&difficulttocreateafirewithuntilyoudevelopthetechnique. IfoundthatbycuttingaslotoranXintheendofthedrillstickaswellastheedgeofthehearthboardthatIcouldbesuccessfulwiththistimber&severalotherveryhard timbers.Theadvantageisthatitiswidelyavailable. Theinnerbarkofthegreensuckersisexcellentformakingcordage. Ashortstickofthistimberwithabowldrilledintoitwithafiredrillmakesasuitablesocketfortheeasiertimbers. CottonwoodorCottonTreeHibiscustiliaceus WidelydistributedgrowingnaturallyincoastalregionsofmostcountriesborderingthePacificOcean&evenasstreettreesininlandareas. Quitehard&easiestwithslottedfiredrillstick.Generatescopiousquantitiesofpunk(sawdust)&alargecoal.Innerbarkexcellentforcordage.Seeimageat: http://www.env.qld.gov.au/environment/science/coasts/CSD409.PDF Alsoanimagewithanicepicture&otherpleasantbrowsing:http://www.usyd.edu.au/macleay/larvae/plants/hibisc.html BlackWattle:Acaciadecurrens: FeatheryleafBlackWattle,beautifulcoastalwattle,greensmoothbarkonsmallerlimbs,darkgreytonearlyblacktrunk. Fairlyeasyfirelighter.Iuseabout25mmdrill&hearthboard,preferablyfromadeadsuckerorimmatureyoungtreethathasdiedorbeenburntratherthanabranchoff amaturetree.See:http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/photolist.html&http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/photo_cd/301610241318/071.html GreyMangrove(Whitemangrove):Avicenniamarinahttp://www.ssec.org.au/towra/html/ecosystems.html ThemostwidespreadandcommonofallmangrovespeciesinAustralia. Thistreehasveryhardwood.Slotteddrillhelpstogivequickresults. WildTobaccoTree:SolanummauritianumSolanaceaeSee:http://www.boprc.govt.nz/www/green/weed121.htm Widelydistributedcoastalshrub.Icutagreen25mmsucker&leftittodryforabout8weeks.Attemptsearlierproducedsmokebutnocoal.Onceproperlydryit workedwell.Splittingthegreenstickinhalf&removingthepithwouldallowit&othertimberswithalargepithtodrymuchquickerforthebaseboardbutyoucannot dothatwiththedrill. Needtouseasectionfromnearthetopofthestickforthedrill.Thissectionhastheleastpithinthemiddle.Thepithmightbeanacceptablebushfoodwhentakenfrom

ThemostwidespreadandcommonofallmangrovespeciesinAustralia. Thistreehasveryhardwood.Slotteddrillhelpstogivequickresults. WildTobaccoTree:SolanummauritianumSolanaceaeSee:http://www.boprc.govt.nz/www/green/weed121.htm Widelydistributedcoastalshrub.Icutagreen25mmsucker&leftittodryforabout8weeks.Attemptsearlierproducedsmokebutnocoal.Onceproperlydryit workedwell.Splittingthegreenstickinhalf&removingthepithwouldallowit&othertimberswithalargepithtodrymuchquickerforthebaseboardbutyoucannot dothatwiththedrill. Needtouseasectionfromnearthetopofthestickforthedrill.Thissectionhastheleastpithinthemiddle.Thepithmightbeanacceptablebushfoodwhentakenfrom thegreenbranch.Tinysampletastedgoodbutbecareful.Ihavereadthattheberriesareedibleifyoutakethefurryskinoff.Ihavetriedit&thereallyripeberriesare O.K.Pidginslovethemsothatisboundtogiveyouideasinasurvivalsituation.AccordingtoonesiteIvisiteditdoescontainsteroidalalkaloids.See: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1999/v4152.html#solanum Likemanyplantsthatoccurwidelythroughouttheworld,thisplantisregardedasanintroducedpestbymanyintheenvironmentalmovement,ratherthanjustasuccessful species.Ibelieveitisspreadbybirds&thatitisagoodpioneerplantfordisturbedareas.Killitoff&youdenynativebirdstheirnaturalfood.Mylatefatherwasborn in1898&heusedtotalkofFlockPigeons&ofBrownPigeonsfeastingontheseberries. PaperbarkedTeaTree:Melaleucaquinquenervia Widespreadcoastaltreeinswampyareas.Workswellbutneedagoodsocketsuchasboneorbottlecap.See:http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/jpg/970108.jpg WiththesehardtimbersIcutoneenddowntoabouthalfpencilthicknessthentoapointontheend.Theotherendtoaverybluntcone.Tostartthebowlinthebase boardIfirstputthebluntendinthesocket&thethinendtothebaseboard.Evengivingthedrillasharptapwitharockorpieceoftimbertocreatetheinitialdent.End forendthedrillonceashallowbowlhasformed.Thedrillquicklyformsahardpointedconeshape&hastobegroundbackalmostflatafteryoucutthenotch. RubberTree:Calotropisprocera Spectacularlysuccessfulfortheexperienced.Quitedifficulttostart&needsatightbowstringbutverygoodwhenyougetthehangofit.Thehearthboardcaughtonfire onmyfirstsuccessfulattempt.Quitehardwoodwithahollowpipeinthemiddle.Cuthalfwaythrough50mmfromtheend,splitthetophalfoffthis50mmsection.Cut thenotch.Thesocketneedstobeveryhard.Boneisgood.Placethebottomendofthedrillinthehollow,angledslightlybacktowardsyousothatitislocatedbythe uncuttophalfofyourhearthboard&thehollowinthebottomhalf.Thewoodofthedrilltendstocrumbleatthesocketend.Iusedadrysuckerabout25mmthick. ThisisadeclaredweedinWesternAustralia&therearelargeinfestationsoftherelatedintheNorthernTerritory.See:http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/photo? f=305&level=s&id=6582Also:http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/401/Magnoliophyta/Magnoliopsida/Asteridae/Asclepiadaceae/Calotropis_procera/

Paulownia:ChineseEmpressTree Plantationtimber,seehttp://www.paulowniatrees.com.au/ Veryinterestingsite.Ifoundthiswooddifficulttomasteratfirstbecauseitwassosoft,almostlikebalsawood.Smokedreadilybutdifficulttoproduceenoughpunkto catchacoal.Successfuleventuallyusinga12mmbranchhearthboard&evensmallerdrill.Needasmalldiametertogiveminimumpithinthecentre.Wouldbe excellenttimberformodellingworkbutseemstoosoftforanystructuraluses. CliftonPostOfficeTree:DenseflowersalongthelimbsinAutumn.Unidentifiedsofar.(22/4/01).Smallleafapprox.30mmalmostroundbutslightlypointedtowards thestem.Darkgreenontop,palerunderneath.Prominentveinsunderneath.Treeabout10metrestall.LocalsIhavecalledcannottellmewhatitis. Hardtimber.Used25mmbranch.AfterstartingthebowelinthehearthboardIhadtocutthetipoffthedrillasithadaveryhardheartwood.PuttwocutsinanX acrosstheendofthedrilltosoftenthecentralheartwood.Workedwell. NorfolkIslandPineAraucariaheterophylla.See:http://www.fore.canterbury.ac.nz/fore214/nrflksld.htm Thedrill&hearthboardIusedwereprobablytoolargeatabout30mm.Prunedthesocketenddowntoaboutpencilthickness&usedaShingleOakbranchforthe socket.Successfulwithdifficulty.Usingapieceofsuitablyshapedmetalforthesocketwithatimberinsulator(BeerBottleTop)workedquicklybecauseoftheextra weightbroughttobear&lackoffrictiononthesocketend.Thedrillquicklyformsahardcentralpointthathastobeabradedbackonapieceofstoneorconcrete. CuttinganXslotthroughthehardcorehelpedalso.Latereffortmucheasierwithadrillwhittleddowntoabout20mm.Stillneedsalotofweight.Hearthboardalso bestifsplitdowntoabout12mmthick. SlashPine:Pinuselliottiivarelliottii,P.elliottiivardensa See:http://www.home.aone.net.au/s_stimbers/slash.htmExcellent.Quick&easyineveryrespect.Iusedadeadsuckerfromthefringeofapineplantationthathad hadabushfirethroughit,killingthebroomstickthicksuckers.Nice&straight.Oneoftheeasiest. BlackCypressPine:CallitrispreissiiCUPRESSACEAE.ThiswidespreadnativepinewestoftheGreatDividingRange,hasapleasantaromaasitburns.Itforms fairlycoarsepunk.Usingasmall10to15mmdrillitisverydifficulttogetacoalyetitiseasywitha25mmdrill. http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/photo_cd/51710B26291/013_2.jpg EnglishOak:Quercusrobur.See:http://www.borealforest.org/world/trees/common_oak.htmSmokesfairlyquicklybutverydifficulttocoaxacoalfromit.Givesoff smokeforafewsecondsafteryoustopdrilling&goesout.Fairlycoarsefibrouspunk.Repeatedattemptsinthesamehearthboardhole,roughingtheendofthedrill eachtime&puttingsomeofthecharredpunkbackunderthedrilleventuallyresultedinagoodcoal.Iuseda25mmhearthboard&adrillcarveddowntoabout15 mm.Bonesocketwastheonlywaytoapplysufficientpressurewithoutburningbothends.IfyoucanlightafirewithEnglishOak,consideryourselfaccomplished.Igot mydeadbranchesfromagroveofEnglishOakgrowingalongtheroadsideafewKilometresfromCliftonontheroadtoKilarney,DarlingDowns,SouthEast Queensland,Australia. MangoTree:Mangiferaindica.Formsfairlyfibrouspunk.Founditworkedbestwithawiderslot,about7mminthebaseboard.Thisseemstobeagoodmethodto trywithanyfibrouspunk.Probablyallowsmoreairintoaidignition.*****Beautifulimage****:http://www.mango.es/s/Also: http://www.northernterritorymangoes.au.com/mangonews.html DragonTree:Dracaenamarginata:Seehttp://www.dracaena.com/forms/marginata/Quick&easyifproperlydry.Needtotakethebarkoff&putinasunnyplace forawhileasthebarkseemstoholdmoisturein. BlackBeanorMortonBayChestnut:Castanopermumaustrale.Quick&easybutpungent&probablypoisonoussmoke.Thisisabeautifulcabinet&turningtimber thatwoodworkershavetobecarefulwith,nottobreathethedustwhentheyareworkingwithit.SoIwouldnotinhaletoomuchofthesmoke.Thesmellwillwarnyou anyway.SimilartoCamphorLaurelinlighting&smokecharacteristics.Seeimage:http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/20184/ PecanNutTree:Caryaillinoensis.LikemanyothersamplesIhavetried,anapparentlydrydeadlimbisquitemoistbeneaththespongybark.Ihadtoremovethebark &givethetimberafewhoursinthesunbeforeitwouldwork.Onceproperlydryitwaseasy.Thesmokehasaverypleasantfragrance&wouldbeniceburntforthis purposelikeSandalWood(WhichIhavenottriedyet)Seeimage:http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/Woodhtml/Pecan.html

BlackBeanorMortonBayChestnut:Castanopermumaustrale.Quick&easybutpungent&probablypoisonoussmoke.Thisisabeautifulcabinet&turningtimber thatwoodworkershavetobecarefulwith,nottobreathethedustwhentheyareworkingwithit.SoIwouldnotinhaletoomuchofthesmoke.Thesmellwillwarnyou anyway.SimilartoCamphorLaurelinlighting&smokecharacteristics.Seeimage:http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/20184/ PecanNutTree:Caryaillinoensis.LikemanyothersamplesIhavetried,anapparentlydrydeadlimbisquitemoistbeneaththespongybark.Ihadtoremovethebark &givethetimberafewhoursinthesunbeforeitwouldwork.Onceproperlydryitwaseasy.Thesmokehasaverypleasantfragrance&wouldbeniceburntforthis purposelikeSandalWood(WhichIhavenottriedyet)Seeimage:http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/Woodhtml/Pecan.html UmbrellaTree:Scheffleraactinophylla.LiketheWildTobaccoTree,thistreehasalargepithycore.Itissuchaverdantgroweryouareunlikelytofindadeadbranch unlesssomeonehasprunedone.Ifyoucuta30mmthickbranch,takethebarkoffthensplita250mmlongsectioninhalf,youcaneasilyscrapethepithout.(Scrape notgougeorpick)Itwillthendryinthesuninafewdays.Becauseoftheamountofpithyoucanhaveaproblemfindingasuitablesectionforadrillofthistimberthough itispossible,butpracticallyanytypeofwoodforadrillwillworkonit.Alittledifficulttogetyourbowlstartedbutonceitisyouwillhaveateaspoonsizedpunk&coal innotimethatyoucancookyourtoastover.Ifyoudrythepithoutitmakesexcellenttindertogrowyourcoal.Seeimage:http://mgonline.com/scheffleraf04.jpg TAPIOCA:Manihotesculenta.ThistimberissimilartotheUmbrellaTreebutyoucangetasmall12to15mmdrillwithnottoomuchpith.Oncesetupproperlyit lightseasily.Thesetimberstendtopolishratherthanabrade&itmakesithardertostartthebowl.Keeproughingtheendofthedrill.Ifyouarestartingwithgreen timberthatyouhavetodry,carveafewbowlsinthegreenbaseboardtimberinpreparation.Itismucheasieratthisstage.Seeimage: http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/28273/

Macaranga:macarangatanariuseuphorbiaceae:Oneoftheeasyones.ARainforesttreewithlargeheartshapedleavessimilartothecottontreebutthestemis attached30or40mminfromthetopedge.Longthinbranches,treetoabout6metreshigh.Garden&parktree.Seeimage: http://www.treefarm.com.au/Macaranga_tanarius_x.htm&alsoathttp://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au/database/Macar_tanarius.htm WalkingStickPalm:LinospadixmonostachysNice&easyonceyoudryitout.IfoundapiecethathadbeencutbackoffaloggingtrackThereisaphotoatthesite below.TheStinsonaircraftcrashsurvivorsatethefruitofthispalmbackinthe30spriortotheirrescue.http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Linospadix/monostachya.html SydneyBlueGum:Icutayoungbroomstickthickgreensuckerorseedlingfromathicketofsuckersbeneathamaturetree.Theyoung,basicallysapwood,wassoft& easilyworked.SixhoursdryingonmyMonitorKiln&HoustonwehaveIgnition.Quick&easy.Tolightmyfirstgumtreefire,forthebowIuseda300mmlong stickwithanaturalbowinit,abeerbottletopsocket,twinecordmadefromaonemetrestripofthebarkoffanairroothangingfromafigtree,spunintotwineona crudedropspindleinabouttenminutesfromroottocord&wedgedthehearthboardunderthethong(simpleBeachtypeFootwearfornonAussiereaders)Iwas wearingonmyleftfoot.Aussieorwhat?seeimage:http://www.ffp.csiro.au/nfm/mdp/bbproj/eucsal.htm Maple?.Notdifficult.SamplefromJubileePark,Tenterfield,NewSouthWales. CrabApple&CrabPear.SamplefromfruitingornamentalsneartheInformationCentreatStanthorpe,Qld.Good,moderatelyeasy. Bougainvilleavine:Bewarethethornsobviously.Quick&easy.Seeimage:http://mgonline.com/boug01.jpg Grapevine:Well,Iprunedmyvinetheotherday.Driedaspindle&baseboardonmycomputermonitorforafewhours&founditoneoftheeasiestyet.Usedapprox 15mmspindle&20mmbaseboard.Thistimberseemstorapidlyreabsorbmoistureafterdrying&itthenbecomesalmostimpossibletoigniteacoal. AllthevinesIhavetriedhavebeeneasywhenthoroughlydry.Gettingastraightsectionisthehardestpartwithmostofthem. SpecieswithwhichIhaveNOTbeensuccessfulSOFAR: ForestOak,RoseSheOak:AllocasurinatorulosaCASURINACEAE Smouldersbuthavenotbeenabletogetacoal. NowoodfromamatureeucalyptusthatIhavetriedintheBrisbaneareahasresultedinsuccess,butyoungsuckersaspertheBlueGumabovewouldbewellwortha try.Thepunkofthewoodfromthematuretreestendstobefibrousratherthanpowdery&whenacoalfromasmallsplintisappliedtothepunkittendstogooutrather thancatch&smoulderasallthesuccessfulspeciesdo.Thisisagoodwaytotestifitisworthperseveringwithaparticularwood.Ifyouhavebeenunsuccessfulbuthave createdalotofpunk,beforecontinuingyourtest,trythesmallcoalmethodorevenaverysmallmagnifyingglass&thesun.Ifatinycoalcontinuestosmoulder&growin thepunk,itisworthperseveringwith.Ifitgoesoutyouknowyouarewastingyourtime,unlessyoursampleisdamp.Ifthepunklooksfibrousfromahardwooditis unlikelytowork.Sometimbershaveanaturalfireretardant.Ihavefoundthatmosttimbersthathaveborersinthedrywoodwillwork,thoughsomeareveryhard. Mulberry,nogood.CoastBanksia,nogoodnorShingleOakorHorsetailSheOakCasurinaequisetifolia(Thismakesagoodsocket,itisextremelyhard&ifyou knockthelittlebranchletsoffadrystickitleavesanaturalsocketyoucanstartwith), Jacarandaisnogood,thepunkwillnotsmoulder.Tipuanalooksgoodbutthedrillcrumblestooquicklytogetacoal. Somespeciesarebetteronlyjustdryorusingadifferenttimberforthedrill.SilkyOak&SmallLeafPrivetbothnogood,Kurrajongshowspromisebutunsuccessfulto dateasabaseboardbutasadrillworkswithmanyofthesuccessfultimberslistedabove. PinkEvodiaEuodiaelleryana Thewoodofthislovelyornamentaltreeisalsotoosoft,atleastwithaverydrystick.MayalsobeworthatrywithjustdrytimberratherthantheoldwoodItried. Hibiscus:Nolucksofar. Waitingtodry. AnAustraliannativeginger:Alpiniacoerulea.Aclumpingplantwithuprightarchingstemsto2m,havinglongfleshygreenleaves.Smallwhiteflowersonthestemends arefollowedbyaracemeofbluefruits,eachabout1.5cmdiameter.Thefruitscanbeeasilyopenedandthepitharoundtheseedseaten.Ithasarefreshinglemontaste. Spittheseedsout. Update:Workedwell. CORDAGE Thisisafascinatinghobbyinitsownright.TherearemanyplantsintheAustralianbush&insuburbiafromwhichyoucanmakeabowstring,orcordageforother purposes.Youcanmakecoarseropeforlashingtimbertogetherorfinethreadforfishinglineorsewingrepairs.Theinnerbarkofmostwattlesoreventhewholebark, wildfrangipani,figtreebark,stripsofbullrush&manyothermaterialsmakeexcellentcordage.Simplytearbarkorinnerbarkfibreintoabout5mmwidestrips,thenyou

Update:Workedwell. CORDAGE Thisisafascinatinghobbyinitsownright.TherearemanyplantsintheAustralianbush&insuburbiafromwhichyoucanmakeabowstring,orcordageforother purposes.Youcanmakecoarseropeforlashingtimbertogetherorfinethreadforfishinglineorsewingrepairs.Theinnerbarkofmostwattlesoreventhewholebark, wildfrangipani,figtreebark,stripsofbullrush&manyothermaterialsmakeexcellentcordage.Simplytearbarkorinnerbarkfibreintoabout5mmwidestrips,thenyou canusejustyourfingers&thighsormakeasimplespinningdropspindlefromaforkedstick.Yousimplyfastentwoormore(thoughevenonecanbeused)stripsof yourfibretotheforkorevenarock,holdtheotherend&giveitaspintotwistthecord.Continuetwistinguntilitstartstokinkup,doubleyourcordover&ittwists backonitselfautomatically.Addmoretwist&innotimeyouhavetwine.Shorterpiecescanbeaddedtomakelongercord&oncedoubledintotwineisasstrongaif singlelengthsoffibrehadbeenused. Simplehandmethod. IfyouhappentohaveaMonsterioDeliciooraphilodendron,cutastalk&splititopen.Youwillfindnumeroushairthintoughfibresembeddedinthespongystalk.Strip abouttenstrandsoutofwhateverlengthyoucanobtain.Pinchoneendofallthethreadsbetweenthemiddlefingerofyourlefthand&thepalm.Thenabout25mm fromyourlefthand,pinchthethreadswithyourrightforefinger&thumb&rollthethreadstogether.Youcanpinchtheresultantthreadbetweenyourleftforefinger& thumbwhileyoutwistthenext25mmandsoonuntilitisalltwisted.Holdbothends&addextratwistwhilekeepinggentletensioninthethread.Whenthetwisting resultsinthethreadformingkinks,doublethethreadover&holditbetweentwofingers.Itwillautomaticallytwisttogether.Thisistwine.Youcouldpracticewitha300 mmlongpieceofcottonthreadormultiplethreads,butifyoutwistthewrongwayitwillcomeapart. Insteadofjustusingyourfingersyoucanpinchthethreadsorfibreswithyourlefthand&rollthemtogetherbetweenyourpalm&thigh.Thisteachesyouthebasic principle&isthemethodyoucanuseifyouhavefibreofsufficientlengthsothatwhenitisdoubledover,theresultanttwineislongenoughforyourpurpose.Forlengths oftwineofametrethereforeyouneedfibretwometreslong.Thisisbynomeansimpossible,butbythetimeyouarereadytolightafirewithhomemadecordyouwillbe quitecapableofusinga300mmlongbow.Thisisamucheasierlengthcordtomake.Thetwineonlyneedstobeabout2mmthickorabout1/8ofaninch.Ifyouare usingbarktwine,keepitmoist.Ifitdriesoutsoakituntilitisquitelimp.Shorttuftsofcotton&woolcanbespuninasimilarway.Agooddropspindlecanbemade fromadiscardedCD&apieceofdowelorastick.Moredetailedinstructionscanbefoundonspinningat:http://www.handspinning.com/lollipops/spininst.htm Therearemanywebsitesdevotedtospinning&makingcordbutforabowstring,keepitsimple. Someinterestinglinksotherthanthosegivenabove: BandicootBill'sbushmatches.GoodAussiesite.http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~madms/fires.html ROCKYMOUNTAINSURVIVALGROUPhttp://www.rmsg.us/ASurvivalInformationClearinghouse. ThePrimitiveSkillsGroup!http://pages.infinit.net/afb/priskar1.htm OntarioTrackershttp://trackertrail.com/ PRIMITIVEWAYShttp://www.primitiveways.com/OneofthemostinterestingsitesIhavefoundonthissubject.TheEgyptianbowdrilllooksinterestingthoughIfind thesimplemethodsIusewithasingletwisthardtobeatifyouhavereasonablystrongcordage.IhavenottriedtheEgyptianmethodbutIbelieveithastheadvantageof allowingyoutousemuchthinnercord.Thatcouldbeasignificantadvantageinsomesituations. Amarvellousadvanceonthebowdrill,pumpdrillswerealsousedforfirelightingaswellasdrillingrock&shellornaments&laterevenfordrillingmetal: http://www.ilovewood.com/pump.htm Andanotheronthistopic:http://www.nps.gov/tuma/Pump_drill.html Unrelatedtofirebutifyouareinterestedinoldwayshavealookataprimitivelatheyoucouldbuildyourself.http://showcase.netins.net/web/iabonsai/LaRue/Lathe.html

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