A drill piston is a dual use device. It serves as a base for a hand drill and is a firepiston. Look at the first image and the hole in the bottom of the piston is to hold a short piece of mullein stalk, a longer shaft is placed in the piston body and you have a handdrill. I have yet to make this work, but it is a neat idea.

Look at my original post on the handdrill piston to see the fireboard and mullein stalks.

Mike....see your PM's and thanks.

Randy - pm back at ya... M <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The plexiglass piston from SgtMike just arrived. It is certainly a smooth operator. It is a bit smaller overall than the Aune O-Ring model I pictured above, but the piston shaft is quite a bit larger. It has double O-rings and the rebound is so smooth the piston nearly returns to its starting position after striking. I can see a cloudy atmosphere form in the chamber upon compression...driving off moisture I think from the fungus. I have yet to strike this in the dark, but will do so later on today to see the ignition.

A nicely made piston...not quite as stylish as the Cocobolo models but highly functional and fun it its own way.

I am not certain of the maker of this one, but maybe Mike can fill us in. I am thinking it was Steve Leung, but this may not be correct.

Thanks Mike.

Randy,

I'm truly not sure of the maker, however, they're available through our friend Canranger44 and Diving Sparrow Paddle Works... http://home.cogeco.ca/~adude/tinderflash.htm

Enjoy it in good health, my friend...

M <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I just love the smell of burning tinder fungus. Hey Randy.

Abe in Ontario Canada sells the plastic tinderflash. Please let me know if I can help answer any fire piston questions. Thanks.

http://www.firepistons.com

Jeff,

Welcome to the ETS forums. As a satisfied customer and user, I want to thank you for making a quality product.

I am sure that your participation in the forums by answering questions will be greatly appreciated.

Pete
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I too welcome Jeff to the forum.

I think I can say that Pete "lit" my fire for a piston quite a while back. The more I use these devices the more I like them.

It is fun to be able to build a fire in a totally unique way. The appeal of the wood pistons too has a lot to do with their enjoyment.

So, thanks Pete and thanks Jeff.

>> I think I can say that Pete "lit" my fire for a piston... <<

IIRC, actually, the first thing he lit with his fire piston was his bedspread <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> (Or was it the dog? Pete, you'll have to chime in to defend yourself).

I have a few burn holes in the carpet as well. They are an amazing little device. I probably hold the Guiness record for "most ignitions of the fire piston" yet I still enjoy the facination aspect. I have challenged their functionality by placing them in the freezer and submerging them under water and they still come up smoking. The tinder fungus is great stuff also. I like to use it for making fire with the hand drill. Once lit the challenge is not to make fire, but rather to put it out...:)

It was the bedspread <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Pete