View Full Version : Fire pistons
Just wondering if anyone knows of anywhere selling fire pistons?
Paganwolf
09-09-2004, 16:33
I bought one from Johnny C (survival School) at the W/G its the dogs danglys. I cant stop playing with it ( the fire piston that is :wink: )
Yeah, the SS are the distributors for Jeff Wagners Fire pistons here in the UK. You might be able to go to Jeff direct http://www.firepistons.com/catalog.0.html
There is also this chap http://www.geocities.com/firepiston/ his name is Steve Leung and his email is on the page.
This site sells them http://www.survivalschool.com/products/fire_starting/Fire_Pistons.htm
TheViking
09-09-2004, 17:08
Hi...
A question!
Does a fire piston last forever? And am I certain that it will light a fire for me every time?? :roll: :wink:
Yeah, the SS are the distributors for Jeff Wagners Fire pistons here in the UK. You might be able to go to Jeff direct http://www.firepistons.com/catalog.0.html
He also sells kits so you can have a go at making your own ;-)
Ed
Paganwolf
09-09-2004, 21:45
nothing lasts forever little dude but looked after correctly will last a life time, gasket string may need changing and lubeing but its a beautifull thing to have :wink:
I've made them from bamboo.... I posted about it some time last year when I first joined :yikes:.... do a search, it'll come up in the archives.
:-)
Ed
Quite a craftsman! i dont quite get how they work?
same wasy some diesel engines work. As the air is compressed it heats up to the point where it will ignite the fuel in the cylinder in this case your tinder, in the case of a car the diesel
So when you start your car your setting the petrol alight? :shock:
How do you then get the tinder out of the firepiston?
Cheers.
It works by compression. When things are compressed quickly, they heat up..... in a fire piston, the air heats up to the point it can ignite char cloth.
:-)
Ed
mr dazzler
09-09-2004, 22:51
Is it the same as when a bike tyre pump heats up after a while? :?:
Amazing that someone found out about it really.
How do you then get the tinder out of the firepiston?
Just use a pin and transfer the mini coal from your piston to your tinder.
Ed
Amazing that someone found out about it really.
Anthropologist believe that it was discovered by Indonesian (or the Philippino depending on who you talk to) jungle hunters while ramming a wooden rod down a piece of bamboo to hollow it out and make a blow pipe..... and the pith ignited.... I've seen them do this but never saw the pith ignite :-?
Ed
Is it the same as when a bike tyre pump heats up after a while? :?:
yes
Here's some reviews on the fire piston http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/reviews/fire_piston.html
And here's an article written for us by Jeff Wagner
http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/articles/fire_piston_jeffwagner.html
Jeff Wagner
13-09-2004, 18:21
Hello Boys. Glad to see you are keeping the fire piston interest up over there. I would be happy to answer any questions that may arise. Once one discovers the use of natural tinders in the fire piston ( charcloth is not natural ) a completely new perspective on its usefulness is gained.
Best Regards,
Jeff
Paganwolf
13-09-2004, 18:23
Hi Jeff, I have a buffalo horn Fire piston,its my favorite thing :wink: what sort of natural tinders would you suggest?? :?:
Jeff Wagner
13-09-2004, 19:14
Yes, amadou as Tone has noted. With regrets, I am not very familiar with the woodland flora of the UK, however experimentation is half the fun. On this side of the pond I have used the piston to iginite the following; True tinder fungus ( Innonotus Obliquus ). False tinder fungus (Fomes Fomentarius ), Milkweed pod, Pith of the Mullein stalk and plain, old rotten wood punk. Punk may require two or three hits to ignite - but what tinder is more plentiful in a woodland environment...
Fomes Fomentarius is quite common over here, as is another type of false tinder fungus called Daldina Concentrica (cramp balls) which I'm sure would do the trick with a fire piston.
Jeff Wagner
13-09-2004, 19:27
With Fomes, look for a thin, corky layer that occurs beneath the spore tubes. It is unfortunate the aroma of burning Fomes is not nearly as pleasant as Innonotus which has a rather nice incense quality. Small wonder it keeps the biting insects at bay.
With Fomes, look for a thin, corky layer that occurs beneath the spore tubes. It is unfortunate the aroma of burning Fomes is not nearly as pleasant as Innonotus which has a rather nice incense quality. Small wonder it keeps the biting insects at bay.
He he he ... tell me about the smell :o): :rolmao: I would imagine that clemetis bark would be a pretty good tinder too.
Paganwolf
13-09-2004, 20:01
I feel a weekend of tinder testing coming up :wink: ta lads
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 17:12
Just use a pin and transfer the mini coal from your piston to your tinder.
Ed
To light a fire, I simply pluck the coal from the tinder cavity with a fingernail and transfer it to either a fiber nest or wood punk. When suitable bark or other fiber material can not be located, wood punk makes a great alternative. Three or four pieces can be blown up into flame without too much difficulty.
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 17:19
I tried amadou today in my fire piston slightly more difficult to light than char cloth but still worked, wood punk next :wink:
did you tease the amadou a bit? If anything it should be easier that charcloth :?:
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 17:46
yeah i fluffed it up nice , ill give it another go when i get home,it seemed to compress into the recess in the end perhaps i need to use more :?: the charcloth went with one slap :wink:
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 18:32
yeah i fluffed it up nice , ill give it another go when i get home,it seemed to compress into the recess in the end perhaps i need to use more :?: the charcloth went with one slap :wink:
With a bit of practice, you may find that a sudden compression stroke, ( I call it a "crunch" ) where the piston and cylinder are both pushed from opposite direstions, is more effective than the palm strike method. I think this generates higher piston force and compression. With an unsupported palm strike, the cylinder is free to move and therefore can absorb some of the energy. With uncharred punk please anticipate three attempts prior to ignition. You should see charring after the second.
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 19:03
cheers Jeff ill try that :wink:
With a bit of practice, you may find that a sudden compression stroke, ( I call it a "crunch" ) where the piston and cylinder are both pushed from opposite direstions, is more effective than the palm strike method. I think this generates higher piston force and compression. With an unsupported palm strike, the cylinder is free to move and therefore can absorb some of the energy. With uncharred punk please anticipate three attempts prior to ignition. You should see charring after the second.
Things are so much easier to learn with good advice on hand. Thanks Jeff :You_Rock_
Thats a good point Jeff as I have real trouble doing the palm method, maybe I'm a bit of a biff there I dont know but threw trial and error I found the crunch method and it is much more 'natural' - anyway it works for me! :-)
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 20:08
It's a bit challenging to adequately describe in words alone what I can teach in a few seconds in person, however the various lighting techniques are explained in the instructions that accompany each piston. There is an additional method, suitable for the most stubborn tinders, that I will share. However, please use it caution and restraint as it can be hard on the piston if not careful. Great force can be achieved by resting the cylinder at waist level on a solid, unyielding surface such as a log or table top, etc. and ramming the piston home using the strength of the upper body. The cylinder must be held very firmly to avoid an accidental slip and possible damage. Its is extreme and usually not required, however I have ignited somewhat damp wood punk on the first try with this method.
Jeff
They come with instructions? :shock:
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 20:54
Please send me an Email at jeff@firepistons.com and I will send them to you.
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 21:00
i thought it was tinder! :shock: being a tradesman instructions are the things that you put down start building the machine then half hour later you spend 3 hours reading the instructions trying to find out where you went wrong 3 and a half hours ago (am i rambling?) ive got em any hoo ill fetch em with me if i can find em :rolmao:
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 21:08
I recall several email exchanges with a customer last year who was convinced the fire piston was a hoax and incapable of making a coal - until his good wife read the instructions and produced smoking fungus on her first attempt. :rolmao:
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 21:12
i brought mine into work to amaze my pals and they just asked where the batteries went :?: dont know what they ment :?:
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 21:47
:naughty: That's precisely why we created the Bushmaster model. Is there a way I can post a photo here?
Paganwolf
15-09-2004, 21:51
insert image i think on the reply to thread page, i havent seen it but i want one already :naughty:
Jeff Wagner
15-09-2004, 22:01
Hmmm... the insert image prompt seems to be looking for a web address....
You can post in the photo gallery or as an attachment if you don't have a URL for an image that's uploaded elsewhere.
Here is the Bushmaster firepiston:
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/502/2bushmaster_wood.jpg
Impressive bit of kit!
TheViking
16-09-2004, 20:20
I have a question i'll hope one of you will answer. :-)
Will a fire piston last forever?? :?: Thanks! :D
Jeff Wagner
16-09-2004, 21:13
Andy - I have two answers.
( 1 ) Nothing quite lasts forever
( 2 ) With normal care and use, the only part of the fire piston to sustain significant wear is the gasket. Eventually, and after a great many lights, the gasket's sealing ability will be reduced. When this happens the gasket is replaced (it takes me about 5 minutes or less to re-wrap a gasket ) and original, as new performance is restored.
Cheers,
Jeff
Jeff, I looked at your site and did not find the BushMaster. Is it new? Does the piston have a tinder cavity?
Looks very good. I have had one on my "need" list for a long time....that BushMaster seems to be moving the item closer to the top.
Thanks
Sticking Adi's image over here again to just look at it..... :super:
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/502/2bushmaster_wood.jpg
Jeff Wagner
17-09-2004, 14:45
I have not been able to make modifications to the website in several months due to a software change made by my web host. I am therefore establishing a new website with a new host which will include the Bushmaster in both wood and horn. A hollow tinder well in the piston handle is an available option. In actual practice I find this feature serves as well or better for lube as it does for tinder. Another development that will be offered on the new site is a little device I have not yet found a name for. Its a collar / spacer that fits between the piston and cylinder when the piston is inserted and it serves two purposes. It is grooved around its circumference to permit attachment of a cord and it also eliminates the need to bleed out the compressed air when seating the piston after use.
Jeff
Jeff, Thanks for the information. I am sending you an email.
Randy
Here is an image of the collar device from Jeff.
http://img37.exs.cx/img37/5083/FirepistonCollar.jpg
It is an extra piece that is between the piston and the chamber. In Jeff's words:
The collar does not vent. It allows the piston to seat on something prior to it encountering high compression force.
Neat idea. I am going to have to get one.
I think that this image has a tinder capsule shown also. Nice.
masongary44
17-09-2004, 20:35
I have managed to find a UK stockist of Warrior and Hunter fire pistons that appear to have some in stock...
Before I take the plunge, can anyone tell me what the differnce is between the warrior and the hunter, as on the website they both look the same ???
Paganwolf
17-09-2004, 22:38
wow i want one !! :shock:
Me too! hint hint to HWMBO! (Darn wish there was a fluttering eyelashes smilie!) :-D
I have managed to find a UK stockist of Warrior and Hunter fire pistons that appear to have some in stock...
...going to tell us who it is then?
masongary44
18-09-2004, 10:05
You al had to wait until I managed to order mine..... :o):
http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/acatalog/Products_With_Choices.html
ALthough admittedly I did not phone to check availability.... :roll:
So there may be a wait to recieve it...
Guys, this is my first post here but I have a few over at Bladeforums. I have a Jeff Wagner Firepiston and, like most of you, fell in love with it the first time I used it. I am having a hard time finding alternative tinder though, but struck upon an idea for using charcloth AND being able to extract it without using a pin or have it fall apart. I got an ember and a fire with this method in under 30 seconds.
Head over to www.bladeforums.com and the training section then Wilderness and Survival.
Warm regards
Temper
masongary44
20-09-2004, 19:22
Wohoo... Dispatched today, delivered tomorrow... :)
Tinder fungus and char cloth at the ready..... :biggthump
Jeff Wagner
22-09-2004, 18:52
I have managed to find a UK stockist of Warrior and Hunter fire pistons that appear to have some in stock...
Before I take the plunge, can anyone tell me what the differnce is between the warrior and the hunter, as on the website they both look the same ???
The only difference between the two models is the Hunter has a plain base and base of the Warrior has been drilled through and it is supplied with a leather neck cord.
Regards,
Jeff
Jeff Wagner
22-09-2004, 19:01
Guys, this is my first post here but I have a few over at Bladeforums. I have a Jeff Wagner Firepiston and, like most of you, fell in love with it the first time I used it. I am having a hard time finding alternative tinder though, but struck upon an idea for using charcloth AND being able to extract it without using a pin or have it fall apart. I got an ember and a fire with this method in under 30 seconds.
Head over to www.bladeforums.com and the training section then Wilderness and Survival.
Warm regards
Temper
I was noticing your location. While I did not have an opportunity to explore very far off the beaten path ( read subway ) for tinders when I visited in May and July, I did notice that Cedars appear to be abundant along the highway from Narita and should provide a great supply for fiber.
Challenger
27-09-2004, 20:53
Jeff
I have been using a warrior fire piston for last 18 months. What lubricant do you recommend for the gasket, at the present time I use vaseline?
It is an excellent piece of kit, I have only used char cloth so far, but will now try to use some of the other tinders mentioned on this thread.
Challenger
Paganwolf
27-09-2004, 21:02
you already use it Vaseline :wink: , good n cheap also combined with a cottonwool ball makes a good fire tinder, i carry a small tin in my possibles pouch, martin carrys a big pot in his ruck sack :shock: you thought id forgotten about that didnt you Martin :shock: :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao: :You_Rock_
you already use it Vaseline :wink: , good n cheap also combined with a cottonwool ball makes a good fire tinder, i carry a small tin in my possibles pouch, martin carrys a big pot in his ruck sack :shock: you thought id forgotten about that didnt you Martin :shock: :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao: :You_Rock_
Ok thats more info than I needed :o):
Jeff Wagner
28-09-2004, 15:38
Petroleum jelly seems to be the most practical lube I have found to date. Originally, it was reported the fire piston performed best when lubricated with dog fat. This may be true however Vaseline keeps us in much better standing with the humane society folks.... :nono:
Paganwolf
28-09-2004, 16:49
Dog fat! we have loads of that in Essex :shock: oh no hold on dog fat im getting mixed up :roll: :shock: :rolmao: