Thermite/Firesteel Experiment

quantumautumn Says:

Jan 25, 2010 - We need to see more videos of Thermite being used in survival conditions. Thermite is very easy to make on your own at home (check out the other Thermite videos on YouTube to see). If you are out in the woods trying to survive in rain/wind Thermite WILL start any fire even in pouring rain with wet wood. Would LOVE to see videos of this.Pre-mix the powers at home. Put in a small, sealed container and keep in your pack. Use ONLY in DIRE life or death circumstances.

Thefredcompany Says:

Feb 28, 2010 - I need to get me some of them turnips...Nice vid!

teb0atoz Says:

May 6, 2010 - WOuldn't cottonballs and vaseline work as well. But needless to say I am a fan of Thermite, LOL. Thanks for the ideas. Easier to do my be potassium chlolide or permanganate and glycerin then you would not even need to start a spark, just mix. If your going to carry something extra. But like it.CheersCheers

feARless556 Says:

Jul 24, 2010 - lens cap fail, clack clack clack clack clack

tjwiltube Says:

Jul 24, 2010 - ...You bettcha! Just goes to show how windy it was...lol!

MrElectricstorm Says:

Aug 20, 2010 - Cad-weld is great stuff! I use it all the time at work and always bring it camping. Just be very carful with cad-weld around damp or wet stuff. If the molten metal falls on snow or water it will turn to steam and send boiling metal in every direction in hundreds of little balls.. Cad-weld can burn as high as 5000F. It sure will get a hot fire going in sec on a 15 degree day with heavy wind..

natofyelsew Says:

Oct 12, 2010 - hell yeah!!!!

eddie1134 Says:

Jan 5, 2011 - anyone else see that mouse run by

misternylon Says:

Jan 13, 2011 - hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..awesome I laughed..a lot :)

unit1741 Says:

Feb 10, 2011 - i herd thermite fires make great tasting smores

absarokajoe Says:

Mar 23, 2011 - I understand the use of the cad weld stuff and have taught my scouts lot of ways to start fires with chemicals, lens, bow drills, etc but why demostrate a fire starting method with some common sense preparation like not building a fire in the open or without some type of windbreak.

tjwiltube Says:

Mar 24, 2011 - This was an "experiment," not a "demonstration." I sought to see if it could be done with damp kindling and fuel wood, in cold, damp, windy conditions. If I could get it to work under those conditions, then I had the reasonably-worst case covered. The focus is more on having a seldom-if-ever used, last-ditch, get-her-done-in-a-hurry method of getting a fire going with a high assurance of first-effort success. It's, for me, a critical emergency method...not for making campfires.

absarokajoe Says:

Mar 24, 2011 - well why not just use napalm! Thermite if it was actually carried by someone in a survival situation would start an airplane on fire! " a critical emergency" well, I just happen to have thermite in my pack! I just don't see much use of it by too many people......and we made lots of napalm with gas and styrofoam peanuts, then mixed with sawdust to make fire starters. stored the stuff in old pill bottles. makes a good fire starter and it will ignite damp wood in low temps and high winds.

tjwiltube Says:

Mar 29, 2011 - To each his own. I just happen to have a curiosity about, and appreciation for, experimentalism. I've proven to myself over and over that personal experience is the best way to garner new knowledge. Experimenting with things out of the norm adds to my own experiential knowledge base. It's perfectly fine with me that this sort of thing might seem silly or irrelevant to you. Best wishes to you on your own chosen path.

Spikestrip55 Says:

May 22, 2011 - A great experiment, using non-traditional methods!

zzDyLaaaNzz Says:

Jun 19, 2011 - if it smokes u need to give it more air

bowlan2112 Says:

Sep 5, 2011 - you need a 3 ounce match ignited thermite fire starter available at alphachemicals com

skecanj Says:

Sep 27, 2011 - Where can I get cadweld powder?  I know it lights up with very little sparks and HOT! But never thought about it for tinder - thanks for the idea.

bowlan2112 Says:

Oct 6, 2011 - try the real deal available at alphachemicals com3oz.thermite fire starters.

khombaker Says:

Jan 1, 2012 - I don't understand why everybody was complaining! I agree, you learn by trying / doing. the video was informative and interesting!! 

ScoundrelzNTwK Says:

Apr 19, 2012 - I carry thermite mixed with plaster of paris, which is cast thermite. Ignite with magnesium ribbons that are put into it like a fuse. It is actually one of the best ways to light fires, no pussy footing around with feather sticks or even kindling, throw logs in pile, light, done.You fail, carrying a napalm premix in your pack is far more dangerous than carrying thermite, thermite is totally stable, and will only light at extremely high tempertures, which is the reason for magnesium.

ScoundrelzNTwK Says:

Apr 19, 2012 - I carry thermite mixed with plaster of paris, which is cast thermite. Ignite with magnesium ribbons that are put into it like a fuse. It is actually one of the best ways to light fires, no pussy footing around with feather sticks or even kindling, throw logs in pile, light, done.You fail, carrying a napalm premix in your pack is far more dangerous than carrying thermite, thermite is totally stable, and will only light at extremely high tempertures, which is the reason for magnesium.