making char

[kayja]

I have some shirts that are new but too small( been in a closet for 15yrs) they are 100% combed cotton, will the combed cotten make char like just 100% cotton.. no one else can wear the shirts because of the name on them. It's a security co. name.

 

[reddogge]

Give it a try, nothing to loose.

 

[ameling]

If it's 100% cotton, there should be no problems. Combed cotton is just a way of finishing the fabric. But almost all new clothes have some chemical residue in them - like sizing. It would be best to wash/launder them before cutting them up for making charclothe.

Well worn and washed cotton tends to work a little better for charclothe. The individual threads tend to be a little more fluffed/fuzzed up when compared to new material. And, for some people, cotton material that is made from thicker threads and looser weave tend to work better.

In th end, any cotton or linen material will work - as long as it is pure cotton or linen with no synthetic modern materials blended in.

Just my humble thoughts to share. Take them as such.

Mikey - yee ol' grumpy blacksmith out in the Hinterlands

 

[BadHeart]

I go to Wal-Mart and buy monks cloth from the fabric department. I get a half yard at a time. It is the best stuff I have found to make char, other than my old long johns from the military,

 

[TomK]

I have to agree with Frosty, Monks cloth works great. I also get mine at Wal Mart. As far as your cotton shirts, go for it what do you have to loose. If it doesn't catch a spark toss it out.

Rio

 

[Rod Lassey]

Virtually anything of natural fibers will catch a spark when charred--of course, some work better than others. Just for fun, find some dry punky wood, light one end on fire, get it going good, then toss it in a jar with a lid to smother it. Now try using it as you would char cloth--depending on the wood (cottonwood works best for me) it'll catch a spark as quickly as cloth. Fun to play with.

Rod

 

[No Powder]

I would wash them a few times before trying to make char. They might be old enough not to have it, but a lot of clothes now have fire retardent added for safty, especially childrens.

 

[Many Klatch]

It should work fine as long as it didn't have any fire retardant in it. I found that old bath towels work better than shirt cotton because there is more surface area, but any cotton should work fine.

Many KLatch

 

[rabbit03]

I had heard dryer lint (cotton fibre) would work well not being charred. Not PC, but I caught some on fire the other day with a spark as a test and it worked well.

rabbit03

 

[mazo kid]

I agree that old towels work great for making char; I think because of the rough texture a spark catches easily. I've also had good luck with heavy cotton flannel shirts. Emery

 

[gmww]

I saw the title and was hoping it was a "how to" thread. For this newbie to Char, how do you make it? It there is a link somewhere? I'd be grateful to see it. :grin:

 

[Bubba45]

Heres a how to ,for making it.[url] http://www.rogueturtle.com/articles/charcloth.php[/url]

 

[gmww]

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: Thank you. Should I use thin or thick Cotton cloth? I've got a bunch of Muslin that is thick.

 

[Bubba45]

Old cotton 't' shirts , muslin works too but needs washed first to remove sizing chemical.

 

[FPDoc]

I use "Monk's Cloth" from WallyWorld. It works great.

 

[Bubba45]

Monks cloth?????????? Do they advertise as such?

 

[gmww]

I'm wondering about those 100% cotton shooting patches in 2" size. :hmm:

 

[Bubba45]

Yep they would work but old worn out t's and cotten flannel shirts bound for rags are well washed and fluffed.

 

[mazo kid]

Yeah they would probably work just great....but....they will shrink in size as you char them. I like to cut my char bigger than 2X2. I sometimes use a Bandaid box for making char and cut my pieces of material to just fit in that container. It makes the pieces much easier to hold and use. Emery

 

[xxgrampa]

greetings gmww,

if you have access to altoid tins.. cut or roll cotton cloth to fit the tin.. toss into the fireplace, when the smoke stops. they are ready..

caution!!! do not open till the tin cools down.. they may burst into flame if you do.it will also ruin the char..

..good luck and ..ttfn..grampa..