Home made fire piston

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Been wanting one for my camping bag so I decided to make one on the lathe. My next version will have a compartment on the top storage of char cloth. Need to pick up some orings for that to make the cap water tight. I didn't use orings on the piston, just a nice fit (.00025" clearance) between piston and sidewall.

152356

152358

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Nice! Think you could make a video of it in action?

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yes. Gotta make some char cloth. I tested a bit of cotton and it charred it but wouldn't quite get a coal going. I will post a video when I have some more time.

[Dryball]

The best thing I have found for char is old blue jeans. If you need some char shoot me a pm. I have a wooden piston and love it. The addition of a cubby for some cloth would be an awesome addition. Please put me down for one if you start selling them!

[Landy]

Nicely done.

Please post the one with the tinder compartment, when completed - great idea.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yeah thr only thing that concerns me is wear over time and the tolerance between the piston and sidewall becoming too loose over time. I may try one utilizing orings like the commercial ones. But I prefer it with out orings...just one more thing you have to worry about. Thoughts?

[waksupi]

Mine has an Osage orange barrel, and ebony plunger. I've used it a lot. I think the O ring is what would wear out. As long as you can keep that compression up, it should work.

[reed1911]

old blue jeans/old denim and a dry cast iron pan work fantastic for making char. Just make sure you do it outside on the grill cause it sure stinks up the house if you try it inside.

[leeggen]

reed1911, do I deteched a little in house testing at one time??? Just reading between the line. Might make a good laughing story for us in these stressful times.
CD

[Dryball]

O rings or artificial sinew are the way to go (IMHO). They sustain the wear and are easily replaced. I know it would and a few more steps to production but the one I have has a pressure relief at the bottom of the barrel. A hole is drilled and tapped and a set screw (http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/images/6500FirePiston3S.jpg) with key ring "thingie" to both relieve pressure and allow it to be tethered.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yep. I made another one with an orings and pressure relief on the bottom. Still perfecting it.