A piston fire starter is an excellent portable way to start fires quickly and safely. Utilizing the first law of thermodynamics, its use shows how temperature rises when compressing an even mass of air into a compressed space.
Basic fire pistons consist of a hollow cylindrical structure with one end sealed off and an o-ring seal at its other end, along with a rod that fits snugly inside it and is used to strike sparks when pressed against tinder or other suitable material.
Invented in the 19th century
The fire piston, also known as a slam rod fire starter, dates back to prehistoric Southeast Asian. This simple yet effective device uses Boyle’s law to ignite tinder. The device comprises of a hollow cylindrical sealed on one end with an easily combustible material like char cloth in one small bore; then quickly inserting the piston which compresses air at high pressure which ignites it all!
Pistons designed for human strength can create high compression ratios without outside help; this is also how diesel engines work.
Petroleum jelly or other grease should be applied to the piston in order to create an airtight seal and reduce friction, making it easier for its removal and insertion. Wood, bamboo or even horn may be used to craft fire pistons – something wilderness survivalists often opt for when choosing their fire source.
Simple to make
A piston fire starter is a simple device that uses compression to ignite tinder. It is easy to make and store, making it an invaluable survival tool. A piston fire starter works on the principle of adiabatic heating: compressed air heats to near 800 degrees during compression which ignites any type of tinder inside such as cotton string or even dryer lint for this kind of fire starter.
Make a homemade fire piston easily with just three components – copper tube, dowel rod and knob! Score one end and add an O-ring for airtight sealing; lubricate this seal with petroleum jelly before filling the other end with tinder material such as carbonized cotton (char cloth or gum can also work) before placing the O-ring and O-ring onto it and it’s ready to use!
Easy to store
Piston fire starters are compact and portable, making them a convenient addition to emergency kits and classroom experiments. Plus, they help students gain insight into basic physics!
This piston fire starter kit includes high-grade pieces of Coco Bolo wood and high-grade char cloth tinder, along with a storage tin for convenient o-ring replacement when necessary.
To use a fire piston, place a pinch of tinder in the small crevice at the end of the cylinder and quickly strike with great force to compress air and ignite your tinder. Remember that you can only fit so much tinder into one firing; therefore it is wiser to use small bits and pack your piston with enough energy before striking to make an ignition stroke. It is also recommended to keep a waterproof fire steel pouch handy while using one of these devices.
Easy to light
Piston fire starters work like diesel engines, compressing air rapidly to cause tinder to ignite quickly and simply. Perfect for survivalists and outdoorsy enthusiasts alike, piston fire starters don’t require constant rubbing of matches and can even be used in wet conditions without risk of ignition – plus they are easy to make at home using simple materials!
Once you are ready to use the piston, insert it in the cylinder and squeeze its handle quickly – as heat can rapidly transfer into both metal components of cylinder and piston. Also make sure your hands remain dry as moisture can hinder performance of this device.
Before recently, most fire pistons used string gaskets which could leak and required frequent applications of petroleum jelly (Vaseline). But now you can buy rubber O-ring seals which provide even better seals that last longer and make replacement easier should it become worn over time.
Leave a Reply