A design suggested by viewers beat the ratchet version: both rope ends run over the top of the copper pipe and wind in opposite directions, so forward and back strokes spin the drill alternately. That gives more rotations per stroke, smoother movement, and a frame that's simpler to assemble, adjust and repair. The pipe proved too slick, so both ropes sit on top.
Viewers' crossed-rope bow drill setup outperformed ratchet design
Key facts
- A crossed-rope arrangement proposed by viewers was adopted after the ratchet-tensioned design failed.
- Both rope ends run over the top of the copper pipe and are wound in opposite directions around it, so the forward and back strokes spin the drill in alternating directions.
- The crossed-rope setup produces more drill rotations per stroke and a smoother movement than the previous design.
- The simplified frame is easier to assemble, disassemble, adjust and repair, and the cord angle allows tight lashing.
- The copper pipe surface was found to be too slick for the rope, requiring both ropes to be placed on top of the drill pipe.
Sources
Primitive Fire Starting: the Bow Drill : 9 Steps (with Pictures)instructables.com
It should be made out of a piece of wood about the same hardness or harder as the fireboard. On one end, the top end, it should taper down to a ...
Bow drillen.wikipedia.org
A bow drill is a simple hand-operated type of tool, consisting of a rod that is set in rapid rotary motion by means of a cord wrapped around it, ...
bow drill tensioning?bushcraftuk.com
Use the bow hand the grip the cord against the bow a little. This makes the tension adjustable on the go.
Bow Drill tutorialjonsbushcraft.com
A bow drill set should include the following: A Hearth board, a drill, a bow with string, a bearing block, an ember pan and some tinder. The drill is twisted ...
Bow Drill Principlessacredhearthfrictionfire.com
A solid bow will require a bit more adjustment of the cord to get the tension right (an adjustable knot is good). Cords which stretch or fray will lose tension ...
Was this story useful?
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.