8 replies to this topic

[curious aardvark]

I recently came across this remarkable gadget on another forum and wondered if any of you lot had ever used/made/seen one ?

http://www.firepistons.com
http://www.onagocag.com/piston.html

I've made a prototype, but got a few of the important technicalities wrong.


So I'm hoping my mkII will work, when I get round to making it.

But either way it has to be a safer alternative to carrying around a lit portfire for lighting fuses :-)

You lot would have had kittens if you's seen me last saturday ;-)

Edited by curious aardvark, 10 November 2005 - 03:45 PM.

[fishy1]

does it work?

portfires would be alot quicker, and i wouldn't recommend putting in anything other than tinder or suchlike, definately no BP unless you want the end of your tube forced out like a bullet.

[curious aardvark]

fishy the whole point is that you get a glowing ember - to use something highly reactive in the end would just be stupid and counter productive :-)

[ProfHawking]

i saw something similar ages ago at school, in a physics class demo on how fridges work, the old compress=hot expand=cold idea.
Instead of being made of wood, it was a newer model.
Was a thickish wall transparent tube, with a metal plunger and a rubber end to get a good seal
the tube was about 1cm ID, and had a removable base for the other end, where you put a small ball of tissue paper or the like.
I remember it being quite impressive on a small scale, but i dont know how it could be useful for much?

[fishy1]

fishy the whole point is that you get a glowing ember - to use something highly reactive in the end would just be stupid and counter productive :-)

ok, no offense meant, just wondered if you knew that.

[RegimentalPyro]

Very interesting post. I've never heard of those before. Also a nice bit of wood turning.

What was wrong with the Mk.1?

[mnementh]

Hi guys,
a google search gives loads of hits for these gadgets;

http://www.geocities...le/System/5102/

has a couple of videos that show them in action.

Sandy

[Richard H]

It's nothing new, afterall that is essentially how diesel engines work. It is a neat trick though! You can get a purpose made glass version so you can witness the conflagration within.

A small bit of cotton impregnated with diesel fuel is all you need.

[GBthriller]

Hey aardvark, I think the ladies will have kittens if they see your fire piston. A window to your soul, your time spent.

Sorry, I couldnt resist, next time I will.

Edited by GBthriller, 12 November 2005 - 06:42 PM.