Sunny day tool for starting fires

Aloha Monkeys,

Most who know me know I'm always looking at things for their potential... even and especially things I'm going to toss... most have great potential in their "Second Life"

It's free and fast...

So here's what you can do with those burn't out old surefire xenon bulb units...

Works with char cloth, small twigs and other items... sorry forgot to demo a twig... so you'll have to trust me when I say it "smokes" that thing in no time....

drill a hole in the flange base for a lanyard....

Sorry the sound is faint on the video...

This puppy is a gift for @Hanzo since he has his 4H kids and is always teaching his family or someone out there ... new things.... hope you enjoy it buddy....
(oh and he was the one who gave me the large char rope in the video )

some pics and a video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9P4...ature=youtu.be

Hope you enjoy...

Take Care and God Bless,

Bear

 

Some people have too much time on their hands and I like it !

+1

 

Thanks @Brokor Yeah... I've done the bottom of the soda can thing tool... their are tons of ways and uses for otherwise discarded items... try that hole and let me know how it works... much easier to adjust focal length.... burned my finger with this little sucker so be careful LOL...

 

Thanks @Gator 45/70 always looking at repurposing otherwise "throw away" items... next is a fire plough out of an old 2x4

 

Sunny Day Fire Starter!

 

LOL @Seacowboys I like yours way better!!!!

 

Sweet, buddy! See you tomorrow.

 

If you are gonna to sit on it, check for splinters first. Did you try with the hau?

 

I like his better too.

 

Yup... @Hanzo let me know when you are on your way... don't forget your canteen cup
Haven't tried the wood yet... I have this idea that you should be able to use any wood for the plough and the saw... so if a readily available 2x4 in an urban setting (which most folks are in) will work under ideal conditions... why not in a disaster or other... I could be wrong... but nothing like giving it a try

 

Sounds exciting. A lot of lumber is treated. Not sure what the effect would be. Haven't tried fire making that way, but I like the direction of your thinking. See you tomorrow. Got your charger packed up.

 

My point is that there are a million different ways to start a fire, and most of them are easier and more likely to be accessible than say, a fire piston or a flint and steel. And I am pretty sure, I would have a Bic in my pocket before I would have a charred rope inside a pipe and a reflector from an expensive flashlight. Improvised means of starting a fire are handy to know but the advantage to them is to be able to adapt what you have on hand to get the job done. A million variations of a lens and sunlight are available, using a magnifying glass, a polished coke can, a flashlight reflector, eyeglasses...even a condom filled with water, but none of them have any practical applications to "this goes into my load that I will carry while fleeing for my life". Steel Wool and any battery will start a fire, a firebow, reactive chemicals, flame-throwers, reflected sunlight, all these things work but none of them work as good as or better than matches or a simple Bic lighter and certainly none of them take up less space or are easier to use.

 

Excellent points... and most certainly there are appropriate applications for each...

While not everyone will own or have access to a flame thrower or even a shotgun with a dragon's breath load, I'm sure many have matches or a lighter.

My point is that knowing at least the fundamental concepts behind each of those methods you mentioned of fire starting is a worthwhile endeavor for each of us if nothing else to pass on to the next generation as @Hanzo with his 4H and own kids and probably many others here with children or even adults who have the interest in learning a bit more in depth the how and why and more importantly being able to make, improvise and think and actually do it at least one for themselves.

I totally agree with your point about the "practical applications to 'this goes into my load that I will carry while fleeing for my life.' Many have their plans and well thought out supplies, equipment and strategies and their everyday carry tools. And if they are well prepared, they have actually used and familiarized themselves with all that gear. I think that is one of the first priorities to get squared away as time, access and budgets permit.

Somewhere at some point in time... I also believe it is important to also "hone and sharpen" your mind with knowledge, skills and experience in a variety of disciplines. The real emergencies and shtf are when you don't have all that "practical" gear and the impractical at that point will become the necessary and practical... unless of course you haven't prepared to be unprepared and trained your mind to always expect the unexpected... no working gear, no working matches, no working lighter, no "load" ... nothing... just the most important tool of all... an calm, calculating, open and well prepared mind... in all disciplines.

So again, I totally agree with you and the practicality of things like matches and lighters... I also know that things go wrong and fail at the worst possible times...

I believe that knowing the how and why of at least a few of the "million variations" you mention is a worthwhile effort on our part... if nothing else to "hone" our minds, add to our mental "bob" or "load" and share and teach with those that are interested, enjoy and want to learn a few of those variations. "More than one way to skin a cat" teaches that mental flexibility, toughness and ability to adapt with nothing that earns you the right to a multi generational membership in the gene pool... It's the essence of "Bushcraft" and sustained our ancestors and the life around us through the ages.

Nice thing about your mind... there is no cu inch capacity like a kifaru ... that you are limited to and cannot exceed... you can pack as much as you care to take the time to learn in there... and always have it with you... even when you are "Naked and Afraid"... LOL...

Thanks for your comment, this is JMHO and by the way... I also carry Lifeboat matches and a lighter

Take Care and God Bless,

Bear

 

Now I know why I saved those reflectors from those work lights issued by my work place!!

 

Bic lighters and matches are collected by TSA. As are 4 inch crescent wrenches. Old reflectors? Not so much.

 

To me the most practical items that take up the least space are knowledge and an open mind.

Practical knowledge is helped along by experience. We get that by trying things and doing things. And some times, the biggest lessons are had when we fail.

Having an open mind means we deliberately create space by letting go of the notion that we know best. Or our way is the best or only way. Kind of like the teacup idea. How can you have more tea (new ideas) when yours is already full (old tea/old ideas). So empty your cup so you can get fresh tea.

My cup is pretty much always empty, so what do I know. But I applaud @Bear for thinking outside the box. If you understand the principle of what you are doing with one thing, you can apply it to something else. Won't always work, but you have a better base to start with than if you have no clue.

Now what the heck am I talking about now?...

By the way, @Bear, thanks for lunch and the bag o goodies. I will properly gush over them after I get back from my trip.

 

@HK_User LOL... you're like me... I'm always looking at the potential in things and keeping them for "someday"... same outlook I have with people... every single person has something they are good at ... just need the right inspiration, mentor and experience to hit the track running

What kind of work lights and reflectors did you save?

I was in the training department one afternoon and noticed about 6 of the old heavy overhead projectors in a pile on the floor... when I asked they said they were dumping them and getting the new lightweight ones... I asked if it would be o.k. for me to scavenge the lenses out of them and they said o.k.... got some nice large fresnel lenses out of them...

and your very welcome @Hanzo enjoyed lunch and the conversation today... have a great week and a productive and safe trip ...

 

n

My lens are from the Pelican Flashlights of this model below.

<Short story> Moved from the city to a rural area. Place I went to work provided what ever you needed/wanted. Being in Controls Group they handed me a 3 D cell aluminum body flash light of the highest quality.
I quickly ask, "What's this lighting rod for??" Shortly any one in any electrical section had non conductive flashlights and the Safety Man still has egg on his face!

 

Yup I use the reflectors for funnels also, strong, washable and free!