Pump Drill For Fire?

[clarkshomestead]

I suppose some of you know what a pump drill is. Step 1 You take a straight stick about 2 ft. long and a half inch wide for a spindle. In the top or smallest end of the spindle you drill a small hole straight through. Haft (attach by sawing a notch in the end of the spindle and tieing on securely with sinew, rawhide or twine)a point of bone, stone, metal or any other suitable material to the other end Step 2 You make a fly wheel from a wooden disc about three quarters of an inch thick with a diameter of about 6 inches. Drill a hole in the center of the fly wheel large enough that it will fit over the smallest end of the spindle and become very tightly wedged about 2" from the larger end. Step 3 Now you need a piece of wood about 2" wide x 1" thick x 12" long. Drill a hole through the center of this board on the 2" face. Hole should be slightly larger than the thickest part of the spindle. Then drill 2 holes on the same face center of the board and a half inch from each end (quarter inch diameter holes). Step 4 Put the flywheel on the spindle and make it tight. Put the board on above the flywheel. Tie a piece of cordage onto the board at one of the end holes. Pass the cord through the hole in the spindle and tie off to the hole on the other end of the board. Tie it at a length that will keep the board off the flywheel by about 2 inches. Step 5 To use place the point on some wood, holding the spindle in place spin the board till the cord is wound around the spindle. Now put both hands on the board and pump down releasing pressure just before all of the string is unwound. A steady rythmic pumping action rotates the spindle back and forth there by drilling a hole in your wood.
Man! I thought that explanation would be shorter sorry! NOW FOR MY QUESTION

[clarkshomestead]

I heard that you could take this pump drill and by not adding a point use it for making fire like the bow drill method. I tried but I dot think it gives enough downward pressure. Has anyone else ever tried this? Did it work for you?

[Mac_Muz]

If your pump drill is traditional the spindle would have a socket made of something hard, like antler and you could fit a point/bit with 3 wedges.

This was you can change tools and bits.

If it does not have to be totally traditonal you may mount a Jacobs chuck, and chuck up all sorts of bits.

A simple wood drilling bit is a paddle bit you can make or buy.

With a bit that has a center point, you can alter it by filling the point finer, and with a round file cut out a notch on either side of a very fine center.

Filling or hacking off the waste to leave a 3 prong tip with a longer center you can drill 1/2 a bead from wood, antler and shell.

Once one side is cut half way thru what ever you chose, you simple flip the material over and cut the other side.

Once you do that you can modify beads all you like.

To make fire this type of drill needs a small diameter soft bit such as yukka, and the board should be medium hard, such as white cedar and or staghorn sumac.

The main idea is apz 1/4" bit which wears out before the fire board does.

In order to start fire with this type drill you would begin a hole in the fire board apx 1 inch from the edge. The board should be apx 1 inch thick, and 20 inches long, so you can press down and hold it with either 1 foot, ot a knee.

Your first drilling IS NOT for Fire, so drill apx 1/4" deep and stop.

With either a knife, or a very sharp rock cut a "V" from the edge into the center of the drill hole you made.

Place a hearth (ie cardboard, birch bark, and or cedar shingle under the board.

Now begin to create a coal.

Spin the drill evenly and add as much down force as you can and still have the pump ride back up. Considerable adjustment in technique will be required.

If you do this well and stay coordinated thru out, sometime around 120 seconds you will be able to see smoke stay as smoke after you stop.

SEEING SMOKE after you stop is the key to knowing you built a coal.

This is a MUST DO.

At that point so long as you still have smoke, you still have a coal.

put down the drill, unless the bit is glowing and you prefer that to the coal.

Other wise add the coal which may be trapped in the V notch to the brown carbon pile on the hearth.

Do NOT blow on it, rather gently wave your hand over this hersey Kiss looking coal pile you built.

That coal pile can last for 2 more minuets, and I often rest at this point when I do this with a bow.

I prefer a bow, because it packs easier, I can press down harder, and the parts are easier to get when you have nothing to start with.

This bow of mine isn't your topic though, so I will stop on that score. Best of luck!