Home made tinder tubes..

[Maverick3855]

Anyone making their own tinder tubes?
What are you using for the cord?
I have seen some use cloth but the cord type seems like it would work better.
Has anyone tried an antler tube?
I'm just curious.
I'd like to hear any and all ideas.
Thanks.

 

[ladysmithtrading]

Ive made tem, used some 1/4" brass tube that I got for free nd some ALL cotton ols clothes line left from when grandma used to hang clothes on mondays ( if you can remember monday was wash day, your as grey as I am!), anyway they work quite well, the problem you'll have is finding ALL cotton braided clothes line anymore, most of it is that plastic cored manure!

 

[necchi]

the problem you'll have is finding ALL cotton braided clothes line anymore, most of it is that plastic cored manure!

Or treated with flame retardant to satisfy OSHA and the "Underwriters Labratory".
Get a piece of rope now, and hang it outside and forget about it for 3 years and it'll work, really, I've done it.
Never really had an easy time with tinder tubes. I've just stuck with charcloth and natural spark catching tinders.

 

[ameling]

Lots of the clothes line and sash/drape cords have synthetic material in their cores for strength. It is hard, but you can find some all cotton cord.

One thing that does work pretty good is the strands from an old-style floor mop. They are basically twisted cotton cord. A used mop tends to work better.

I can't find back the picture of the original, but an antler tinder tube was found in upstate New York at a Seneca Indian village. It was just a misc. artifact in a drawer in the back of the museum -- until a friend happened to see in in the drawer. It was made from a length of deer leg bone, and still had a strip of cloth pulled through it. That cloth was charred on the end. The bone also was charred black inside both ends. It had been labeled and dismissed as scraps from a burn pile, until my friend saw it. Dating it is iffy. It is probably from the late 1600's or early 1700's -- do to it's location in the village site. It was a pretty rare item, even back then.

Here's a pic of one I made. I used rolled up cotton cloth for the "cord" - something called Monk's Cloth from wally world. It does not want to slide through the bone too easily, so I usually use an awl to dig in and pull it out the end. Carefully, of course, so as to not knock off too much of the charred end. The original was more ... flared ... at both ends - and larger. They work well for lighting a pipe, but take more ... practice ... to use to start a fire. You basically catch your spark in it, and then use it to light some other material that you use to start your fire.

Mikey

 

[necchi]

I'm glad you brought up the Monk cloth idea, I was going to suggest that, but too hard to describe, great photo!! Besides he asked about rope :grin:
Monk cloth is one of a few different types of cotton fabric used specifically for covering ironing boards. Because of the heat and steam used, it's chemical free, pure clean cotton, so as not to transfer anything to fine fabrics.
Monk cloth is kind of a secret trick amoungst Fire starting contest winners on the vous' circuit. Chared, it catches spark really easy and the open weave get's REALLY hot when you blow on it. You seldom need "nest" material to catch wood slivers burning.
Don't tell! :yakyak: :nono:

 

[LRB]

Many fabric stores carry a cotton batting cord, covered with a cotton net like mesh. It is used in upholstery. It is 1/2" diameter, and sold by the foot. Of course, an upholtery shop would have it also. It is the best for tinder tubes I have ever found, and looks much like an original cord I once saw in an antique book. Most often I get a burn on the first strike.

 

[Chilidog]

I like the monk cloth idea. Thanks for the tip.

I've been using latern wick. You have to roll it really tight and poke it through but once it's there you've got it made. Fire it the first time to make the char, blow it out after a short time, pull it back into the tube to extinguish the spark and you're ready to go.

 

[Lostrifle]

For cotton rope, go back to Wally World and look for a package of curtain cord, in the fabric dept.
It's the stuff they sew into the bottom hems of curtains, to give them some body without making them stiff. 100% cotton, with the netting around it.
I made up 7 tubes, and still have enough cord left to make up 6 more(at 12" of cord per tube).
:thumbsup:

 

[Highhorse]

I make mine from the 100 % cotton batting and do a cordage twist to bulk it up to the size I want, I also make my tinder tubes from scratch starting with brass sheet stock .

 

[Maverick3855]

Thanks for all these responses. I have been away a few days and haven't had a chance to respond.
I have found 100% cotton rope in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" diameters from some bird/pet supply websites.
I have no idea what pet birds have to do with 100% cotton rope but it seems a fairly common pet bird item as I found it on several websites and it is sold in bulk 50' 100' 250' and even "By the foot"
It appears to be the stuff as they specifically state no plastics or chemicals.
Now I'm curious what birds do with all that non toxic rope LOL!

 

[fatboy]

Some of the toys for birds are made with this we use to buy diff toys for our parrot

 

[BillinOregon]

Hadn't even heard of tinder tubes until seeing this. And Mikey -- another gorgeous striker!