Titanium Fire Piston

[exodus125]

This is just a prototype, but I was debating whether to make these in large quantities or not. Here are some pictures, again, this is the prototype which has been tested on so disregard the scratches.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2120001.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2120003.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2120005.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2130001.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2130002.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2130003.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2130005.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5/P2130006.jpg

Yes it looks nice, but DOES it work you ask?
Here it is in action:
(i used my 10 year old digital camera to film this with no sound and the video is less than crystal clear, but its function is nicely represented)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrdS4VpQhsI



If I do end up making a batch, I have to buy enough material to make it worth while. The price for each fire piston will be $125. The piston will include 2 extra o-rings and some char cloth. I am looking to make a batch of maybe 100, So feel free to post here with the quantity you would be interested in getting. The first on the list will be the first to receive.

OK, I am starting a list to keep track of those who are interested, if you need more than one then please state it, otherwise I will assume you only want one. I will try to keep track as the requests come in, but feel free to pm me with a reminder to add you to the list.


On the list for a titanium fire piston are:

1. GryphonQ
2. hornady708

[GryphonQ]

If you make these, I would love one. I have a couple of nice aluminum ones, but the ugliest titanium is better than the prettiest aluminum! Seriously, my suggestion would be make the walls thinner than you would out of aluminum, to make use of the strength of the material and keep the weight down.

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by GryphonQ

If you make these, I would love one. I have a couple of nice aluminum ones, but the ugliest titanium is better than the prettiest aluminum! Seriously, my suggestion would be make the walls thinner than you would out of aluminum, to make use of the strength of the material and keep the weight down.

I thought about that, the only thing I fear is making it TOO thin. The grooves on the outside to hold a glow ring make the thickness at that point a little thinner. Titanium is strong but I wouldn't want it to get crushed if you step on it. Although highly unlikely, I think the majority of the people would put up with the extra weight knowing the thing is pretty much bullet proof.

[JMJ3rd]

Please pardon my ignorance on these, so how are these used? I'd like one just because it's Ti and seems cool to have.

Thanks

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by JMJ3rd

Please pardon my ignorance on these, so how are these used? I'd like one just because it's Ti and seems cool to have.

Thanks

here is the link to my youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrdS4VpQhsI

It is basically a piston that compresses air to the point it can ignite a piece of tinder. Char cloth is mostly used as well as rotting wood and some type of fungus. You place the tinder in the end of the rod, then you quickly push the rod inside the tube, the o-ring creates an airtight seal which compresses the trapped air inside the cylinder to a very small space, this produces heat which ignites the tinder. Same principle as the diesel engine.

[greenlight]

When would you use something like this?

[Kaichu Dento]

[GryphonQ]

High-quality survival item. For the end of the world kit.

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by GryphonQ

High-quality survival item. For the end of the world kit.

lol

I will tell you, I am as much of a sucker for these little knickknacks as the next person. A smart person would just carry a lighter around to start a fire, but that's just not fun, nothing like a fire rod or a fire piston to show off your caveman skills. Of course, cavemen did not have access to titanium.

[GryphonQ]

Well, the other problem with lighters is that anything with liquid fuel dries out fast, at least where I live; and gas lighters have problems with altitude and leakage as well...fire pistons are so cool they blew my mind when I first heard of them a month or two ago.

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by GryphonQ

Well, the other problem with lighters is that anything with liquid fuel dries out fast, at least where I live; and gas lighters have problems with altitude and leakage as well...fire pistons are so cool they blew my mind when I first heard of them a month or two ago.

no kidding. Just think if you were on a deserted island and had to live there for the rest of your life that would be your only reliable fool proof way of making a fire.

A fire piston and one of those SI models is all you would really need.


But all kidding aside, I would love to hear any input on maybe things I should change before making a bunch, someone already suggested making the walls thinner,,,what does everyone else think about that?

[Gary123]

Does one need anything other than the hardware to make the hardware work?

[GryphonQ]

A bit of tinder, often from a certain tree or plant that I can't remember right now.

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by Gary123

Does one need anything other than the hardware to make the hardware work?

The best tinder I have used is char cloth. I have not used the famous fungus yet, but it is said to be pretty good.

I would include a plastic baggy with char cloth with the piston that should last a good while.

(This evening I made some char cloth out of cotton balls and it seems to work better than cloth char cloth. I ran out of propane and was only able to salvage a bit of the charred ends, but it works great. burns a little bit faster than regular char cloth but produces a big red glowing amber)

So to answer your question yes, you need tinder aside from the hardware, but that will come with the fire piston.

On another side note, I am relatively new to fire pistons and in the video you can see me lubing the entire piston rod. That is not necessary and actually it makes the piston harder to work.

I researched a bit online and seems like alot of people use chapstick to lube the o-ring and only the o-ring. I tried using chapstick today and it seems to work better than the reel grease I was using in the video. It is also a lot less messy since you only put a small amount on the o ring.

[GryphonQ]

So Exodus, any plans to make a few of these anytime soon?

[exodus125]

I have one made! I really don't want to make a bunch without knowing I have some buyers lined up, I am a little tight on cash for the materials as is.

However, I can start a list. Your the first one.

I will let this thread brew for at least a week, but I will get on it. I am still playing around with the firs tone trying to think of other ways to improve it. The thing lights on the first try most of the time, so you cant really do much else to improve it.

[GryphonQ]

Well, if you only make a handful in the end, consider this my RSVP...

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by GryphonQ

Well, if you only make a handful in the end, consider this my RSVP...

you will receive #00001 I just took some more pictures after polishing it up a bit. They have been added to the first post.

[hornady708]

Add me to the list as well

Thanks

[exodus125]

ok, sounds good. What I will do is start a list on the original thread, first on the list will be first to get as they are made.

[GryphonQ]

I'm happy with the first (or just one from the first batch) of the production models, if you make any changes from the prototype. I'm a "latest and greatest" guy more than a "#00001" kind of guy...

[exodus125]

yea, technically you will be 0002, because I am keeping 0001 for myself. As soon as some more buyers line up I will start.

[exodus125]

[LEDAdd1ct]

Though I cannot afford this item, I just want to say:

1) Awesome concept/product, and best luck to you on the sale, and,
2) Thank you for pointing this out, as now I learned about something I had never heard of before!

[Ny0ng1]

yeah thanks for enlighten me on the object and method

just a suggestion after looking at other youtube fire piston videos, you may want to have somewhat larger 'handle' to more easily hold the tip of the piston before and after the stroke. It can also be rounded to be easy on the palm when one push it swiftly to the tube

[karlthev]

I sure don't want to make a final committment before there is a price attached but, I am most interested.

Karl

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by Ny0ng1

yeah thanks for enlighten me on the object and method

just a suggestion after looking at other youtube fire piston videos, you may want to have somewhat larger 'handle' to more easily hold the tip of the piston before and after the stroke. It can also be rounded to be easy on the palm when one push it swiftly to the tube

thanks for the kind words and your suggestions/opinions.

I thought about making the handle a little wider somehow, either on the tube or the rod, but this will compromise its compactness.

The easiest way ive found to use it, is to lay the rod on something hard( i.e. floor or even a rock) and push down hard on the bottom of the tube. It doesn't really hurt your hand. Most of the times it lights on the first time, if not the 2nd.

However all these suggestions will be considered. Keep them coming.

I'm working on some other things as well, so BOLO.

[exodus125]

Originally Posted by karlthev

I sure don't want to make a final commitment before there is a price attached but, I am most interested.

Karl

price is posted on the first post. $125.

[Unforgiven]

Feeler, discussion or interest threads are not permitted in this BST forum.

Thread closed