when I was young, I was at a boy hunter safty class. Part of the class was some general survival etc. One of the firestarters was a felt stopper for reloading shotguns. Those were soaked in white gas or paint thinner or something. it burned for 5 minutes straight.

I remember once at a camp out a guy used transmission fluid. Don't know how smart that was, if it was unhealty or not. I was too busy playing in the dark with the opposite-sex!

Sugar?

brake fluid burns WELL, as does ATF........

haven't tried sugar, i think it is flammable though?

Bushman, you're right, the ATF burns people all the time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That's reminded me of an old pub trick.....bet someone they can't light a sugar lump and they won't be able to do it, take the sugar lump and dip it into an ashtray, try lighting it now and it will burn no problem !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I heard that makes really good firestarters. I read where someone used sawdust implace of dryer lint with the wax and it works good too. I think chopped up fatwood would work good too. I read where beeswax lipbalm is flamable too.

I've used fatwood sawdust. Used my Leatherman saw to make it. I EDC Burt's Beeswax, and it can be used as lipbalm, firestarter, and knife rust preventative.

You can make fire with:

Ice
Aluminum can
Flashlight reflector
Condom & water
Potassium Permanganate & glycerin
Battery & steel wool
Battery & razor blades
Battery & fine wire
Magnifying Glass
Camera Lens
Scope
Binoculars
Rx glasses (depending on the prescription)
Friction (via bow & drill, fire plow, fire piston, etc.)

Great thread guys. Very useful tips. The other day i was watching a great video on homemade fire tabs. Check this idea out:

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

He uses cotton balls dipped in wax. There water proof and burn for awhile.

The guy in the vid is Jim he is a cool guy and a knife maker. If you get the time check out some of his fine blades and other vids.

- 55% DEET mosquito repellent is a good accelerant
- hand santizer works pretty good as mentioned
- char cloth is the best for accepting a spark



Followed by dry punk wood



Find punk wood in hollows like this. You should be able to pull a spongy piece from hand and it needs to be dry.





Also tinder fungus. This one is false tinder fungus. You cut a thin slice right behind where the fungus attaches to the tree.



Once you get a coal captured, use a flash tinder to blow it into flames. Milkweed seed pods and phragmites heads are my favorites.





Last week, I bought an old fashioned flint and steel kit. It is a really fun way to build a fire.

Good info Kgd

lots of diesel piled onto 2' thick x 6' long douglas fir logs all piled into a big teepee will start a fire. Wich i had pics from this weeks camping trip......we couldn't get 20 feet from the fire without being burnt from the heat.

here is one of the smaller fires, at about 5' tall x 6' wide