How to make a matchbox for camping. Campfire set - necessary and useful little things. Signal, thermal, photographic, etc.
WATERPROOF MATCHES. In any campaign, each participant must have matches in a waterproof package. True, sometimes the packaging “fails”, and the matches still get damp. To prevent this from happening, O. Kuznetsov from Engels advises to dip each match in melted paraffin beforehand, and to seal the match grater on the box with adhesive tape. Matches prepared in this way are placed in a sealed plastic bag. Before use, so that the grater does not deteriorate, paraffin is scraped off the head of the match with a sharp knife.
BATH IN THE DAY. And when traveling, you can take a bath if you take care of it in advance. After the hike, collect large stones on the river bank and make a hill up to 1 m high from them. Light a large fire around the stones for 3 ... 4 hours. By the way, its heat can also be used for cooking. In the meantime, the stones are heating up, make the frame of your future barrel from dry and not very thick trunks. Clean the red-hot stones from coals and ash, install a frame over them and cover it with an awning made of polyethylene film and tarpaulin. The bath is ready.
PARAFFIN LANTERN. The cool lamp offered by N. Smirnov from Chisinau resembles a “bat” lantern. Its fuel is paraffin. The lantern is economical, odorless, reliable and safe in terms of fire protection. In addition to its direct purpose, it can be used to heat a sleeping bag before going to bed, and if necessary, heat a can of canned food on it or boil a mug of water. The lantern consists of several parts. For tank 1, a coffee can is taken and two parts are cut: 10 and 30 mm high. Two curved pieces of copper wire with a diameter of 3 mm are soldered to the bottom of a high workpiece from the inside. Clip 2 made of tin is put on them. Reconciliation - the same sudb "No. clip for regulating the height of the flame. The inner clip should be filled with pieces of thin copper wire of the same length - they form a wick. Having finished work, the upper part of the can is inserted into the lower one, and the joint is soldered. From above, the reserve-Euar is covered with a lid 3, which protects the molten paraffin from splashing. On the lid there is a support for glass 5. It can be made of iron. Cut out a disc with a diameter 10 mm larger than the diameter of the bottom of the glass. Slice into anyone in the radial direction! 5 mm teeth and bend them alternately up and down. The upper teeth will hold the glass, and air will flow through the holes in the lower ones to the wick. Glass 6 for a lantern is best made from a thin glass, in which the bottom is cut off on an emery machine.
Lantern cover 7 consists of two parts: base and cap. The base is made in the same way as the glass stand, only the teeth here are pyramidal in shape and all are bent down. From the center along the radial lines, cuts are made on the lid, forming eight triangles. They bend upwards and hold a cone-shaped cap with their ends. From the sides, two tin loops are soldered to the tank, into which wire staples are inserted. The upper ends of the brackets are compressed by curly bracket 4 and hold the glass cover. A hook for hanging a lantern is attached to the bracket. Before the trip, the reservoir is filled with molten paraffin - it must soak the wick abundantly. If the lantern smokes a lot, raise the control sleeve and adjust the height of the flame.
Despite significant progress in the means to extract fire over the past century and the presence on the market of tourist equipment of their wide variety, ranging from the usual lighters to flint and flint and chemical arsonists, matches remain the most popular tool for kindling fire on camping trips, on picnics and other “exits” to nature.
However, despite the simplicity of the match as a source of fire, there are quite a few varieties of matches. Let's try to figure out what a match is and what they are.
We will also try to give some useful tips how to choose matches for hiking and how to protect them from moisture.
What are matches?
There are many in the world various kinds matches. Different countries have developed different traditions for making matches. For example, cardboard matches are very popular in America. Our matches are mostly made of wood. But besides the material, they differ in many other ways.
Household matches
Ordinary matches to which each of us is accustomed since childhood. Matches, which are produced in Ukraine and in the post-Soviet space, are short (about 42 mm) wooden sticks about 2 mm thick with an incendiary head.
Such matches are intended for domestic use, therefore they are not adapted to adverse conditions, in particular weather. However, for making a fire, such matches have been used for decades, and continue to be used in various conditions because of its low price. This is the cheapest type of matches.
Hunting (storm) matches
Matches designed for confident burning in adverse weather conditions. Such matches are not afraid of even the strongest wind - they are almost impossible to blow out.
Structurally, they differ from ordinary household matches by a significantly larger incendiary mixture head, which can cover up to 80% of the length of the match. When the head burns, an intense flame of high temperature is released. When the head burns out, the wooden part of the match continues to burn like an ordinary household match.
Depending on the manufacturer, hunting matches may burn when the lit match is immersed in water. But basically they cannot burn under water (why do you need a fire under water? :-)).
Candle matches
Matches of this type are not matches in the classical sense. These are rather combustible substances with heads from a match incendiary mixture. Intended for kindling fires and designed for long burning. Such a match (depending on the size and material) burns long enough to dry even wet branches and light a fire from them. Typical burning time is 5 to 10 minutes or more.
Matches of long burning "For the tourist".
The most common material for candle matches is pressed wood dust or sawdust impregnated with paraffin or a similar substance that supports combustion.
Matches of this type can be produced under the names " Tourist matches"," Matches of long burning ", etc.
Gas, fireplace matches
Matches for lighting fires hard-to-reach places- in grills, gas ovens, fireplaces, etc. They are longer and somewhat thicker than ordinary matches. They burn longer and avoid burning fingers where possible when using short matches.
Gas matches (near regular matches for comparison)
cigar matches
Special matches for lighting cigars and pipes. cigar matches do not contain sulfur in the ignition head, which negatively affects the taste of cigars. They are thicker than regular matches and up to 10 cm long.
Such a match burns for a long time, but is not protected from weather conditions. Can be used to light fires in calm weather. Not much for extreme conditions. the best option than household matches.
By default, these are expensive matches.
Signal, thermal, photographic, etc.
signal matches- matches that, when burned, give off light of various colors.
Thermal (thermal) matches - special matches, which, when burned, give a higher temperature than conventional matches. Used in certain types welding work. Sometimes found in emergency kits.
Photographic matches are matches that give off an instantaneous flash of bright light when ignited.
What matches to take on a hike?
The cheapest choice would be, of course, ordinary household matches. If you “prepare” them correctly and know how to use them, they will not let you down. However, no matter how you protect such matches from moisture, in a strong wind, lighting a fire with them can be an extremely difficult task.
The best choice would be special wind-resistant hunting matches. They take up no more space than ordinary ones, and any wind will not prevent them from burning.
You can also use large matches-candles, which burn for a long time and partially replace the kindling. But such matches are not compact and are actually designed only for kindling fires.
How to pack and protect matches from moisture?
There are several simple ways keep matches from moisture and just as complex.
Zip lock bags
Separately, it is necessary to highlight convenient bags with a Zip-lock fastener. They can store matches right in the box - this is convenient when you have to use them often. Plus no cooking required. matches for hiking- put in a bag, and went.
The disadvantage of such bags is the low reliability. Bags wear out over time. This is especially noticeable if you carry it in a backpack pocket with other things. Leaky package - wet matches.
You can buy such bags in the markets, in household goods stores, or order online.
sealed container
Matches are placed in a special sealed container, which does not let water and atmospheric humidity inside. The container may be a special, industrial, or simply adapted jar-box. For example from film or tablets.
Special matchboxes can be plastic or metal. quality match containers usually twist. Such containers provide maximum density and most effectively protect against atmospheric moisture, which has the ability to penetrate where even water will not flow. Additionally, twists can be sealed with silicone rings.
Often special storm matches, or tourist matches from the manufacturer already have a box that protects against moisture.
Advice Pay attention not only to the protection of the matches themselves from moisture. It is also important to have a dry surface on which to strike a match! Slice matchbox with a spread can be put into a container along with matches.
Impregnation with wax or paraffin
Additionally, matches can be protected from getting wet with wax or paraffin. This will keep them in working condition even if they get wet.
Note that in the production of matches, the wood of matches is impregnated with paraffin so that it quickly catches fire from the transient burning of the head. But this impregnation is not enough to protect against moisture.
Important! It should be remembered that it is not enough to immerse the match head in paraffin. If the wooden part of the match gets wet, it will not burn even if the head ignites.
In order to cover matches with paraffin, you must:
- Melt enough paraffin to liquid state in a metal bowl. It is advisable to do this in a water bath so as not to overheat the paraffin and it does not begin to evaporate. (Optimal - water should be on the verge of boiling).
- Carefully lower the match into the paraffin and pull it out. You can do this with tweezers, but this way the surface of the paraffin will turn out to be uneven at the place of retention. Another way is to immerse the match in parts: first we cover one half of the match with paraffin, it dries, then we quickly cover the second half so that the paraffin on the first one does not have time to melt.
A more extravagant way is to immerse matches in paraffin tied to a thread. - You can dry the matches by simply placing them on the newspaper.
When lighting matches covered with paraffin, the paraffin should be removed from the head of the match - so it will not contaminate the grater.
Can be immersed match in paraffin repeatedly. So its layer will be larger and more reliable. For the first time, you can hold the match in hot paraffin for 10-20 seconds. Small bubbles of moisture and air will come out of the match. This means that the match is more deeply impregnated with paraffin.
Coating the surface of a match with varnish
The match can be coated with a thin layer of nail polish or furniture polish. Nail polish is a more convenient option - it dries quickly and is easy to apply in a thin layer, which, when a match is lit, will easily rub off on the rough surface of the striker.
A varnished match burns better. Just like with paraffin, it is better to cover the match varnish completely, not just the head.
Matches in tape
Adhesive tape (“scotch tape”) often goes camping with people as an all-purpose repair tool. It can also be used for sealing.
But you should not wrap tape around each match - then it will not be convenient to get them out. There are two surefire ways to seal matches securely.
First. Is taken wide strip of tape about 12-13 cm long. And the conditional is divided into two parts along the length. A match (one or more) is placed on the sticky side in the center of the left side and covered with the right side. The match should be in the center of the "envelope" so that on all sides there is a sufficient distance from it to the edge of the tape and both halves of it can stick together well. The match is sealed. But this is not enough. The adhesive tape can peel off, so you need to additionally protect yourself from sticking the edges.
Using another match or lighter, be careful melt the edges of the tape(except for the fold) so that they become a secure seam. If possible, the melted edge can be pressed down for greater security.
Thus, matches can be sealed in adhesive tape along with a grater. This type of packaging is easy to open when needed. Instead of adhesive tape, you can easily use a plastic film of sufficient thickness, and take an iron as a soldering device.
The second way of gluing matches in scotch tape is wrapped in a tube. The match is placed on a small piece of adhesive tape and folded so that 1-2 centimeters of adhesive tape remain on both sides of the match. The free ends are soldered as in the first option.
The disadvantage of this method is the lower reliability of the seal. Due to the uneven winding, micro-holes may remain at the ends, which are not visible to the naked eye, but which are large enough for moisture to penetrate.
If the matches get wet?
If it so happened that your matches got wet, it would be logical to dry them. It is better, of course, to do this near the fire, observing safety measures. If there is no fire, they need to be dried in other ways.
An effective, albeit time consuming, is drying matches on your own body.
It is necessary to dry in warm places:
- On the neck
- In the area of the liver
- In a hat
It is advisable to wrap matches in toilet paper, or napkins, which will immediately take away some of the moisture.
During drying, make sure that the matches do not rub against anything - it is very easy to damage the wet match head.
Also remember that during active movement, the body also releases moisture, and matches must also be protected from it.
It is much easier to dry one or two matches than the whole box. If all the matches are wet, select a few of them for drying and tear off the part with the grater from the box.
You can buy storm matches and matches for tourists.
(Edited on 05/09/2018)
Matches are the easiest and most affordable way to start a fire.
No matter how many lighters or other means of making fire you have - still always take as many matches as possible - nothing compares to them.
The cheapest choice to use would be ordinary household matches. The best choice (especially in nature) would be hunting matches.
The main disadvantage of matches is that they are afraid of dampness. Therefore, do not put boxes of matches on the ground, they will dampen quite quickly from this.
Ordinary matches should be stored in a hermetically sealed container, packed in such a way that they do not strum, rub or ignite. To do this, just put a piece of cotton wool in this container.
To make matches last longer, they can be split lengthwise into two or more halves.
To light a split match without breaking it, press the sulfur head against the ignition strip with your finger. Be prepared to burn that finger.
But this is an extreme case, it is better not to use it: one whole match is better than two or more with a high probability of not being able to light a fire.
To light a damp match, strike it not along the ignition strip, but obliquely.
Often you can come across the advice "If your hair is dry and not very greasy, then rub a damp match on it. Static electricity will dry out the match."
But this does not always help, especially not at home. Our matches may not ignite on the boxes, what can we say about wet matches? .. And if the matches are wet, then the box is wet. And how then to ignite?
Now why is it possible to ignite. Didn't find an exact answer. But I think that it’s not because of static electricity, but because the head sweats more often, and during sweating, body fat. Naturally, hair becomes oily, and when you start rubbing a match against your hair, sulfur is saturated with natural fat and, accordingly, ignites much easier and faster.
Each time you light a match, you can also light a candle. You can light a lot of things from it, while saving matches. Even a small candle will last a long time if used carefully.
Some types of matches may have colored heads.But, for the most part, it doesn’t matter what color the match head is - they burn any.
The figure below shows EXAMPLES of some of these matches.
Let's look at what matches are.
 |
Household (ordinary) matches
Ordinary matches, to which we are all accustomed since childhood.Matches, which are produced in Russia and in the post-Soviet space, are short (about 42 mm) wooden sticks about 2 mm thick with an incendiary head. Such matches are intended for domestic use, therefore they are not adapted to adverse conditions, in particular weather. And it can be difficult to apply them in nature. However, such matches have been used to make a fire for decades, and continue to be used in various conditions due to their low price. This is the cheapest type of matches.
Storm matches
Burning in the wind, in the damp and in the rain. Such matches do not have a head, and the coating of the “body” is much thicker than that of hunting matches. Their incendiary mass contains a lot of bartholite salt, so the ability to ignite (sensitivity) of such matches is very high. They burn for at least 10 seconds in any meteorological conditions, even in stormy weather at 12 points. The addition of some salts to the incendiary mass makes it possible to obtain colored fire: red, pink, blue, green, violet. Also, some of these matches have a limited expiration date, after which they lose some of the declared characteristics. |
| Storm matches "UCO Stormproof Matches" |
Outwardly similar to hunting or storm matches.
 |
| Wind matches 1990 |
Thermite matches
Developing a higher temperature during combustion and giving more heat during combustion of the head. Designed for ignition of thermite-muffle checkers, thermite cartridges or kindling fires.The standard length of thermite matches is 60 cm.
Especially dangerous, because they can ignite from friction between themselves.
It is advisable to use them only after taking them with pliers or fixing them on a wire so as not to get burned.
signal matches
Matches that burn a colored (red, blue, green, yellow) flame. The height of the flame can reach half a meter.photographic matches
Gives an instant bright flash, used when photographing.Now, as far as I know, such matches are not used and are not produced. Matches with a length of up to 30 cm. Designed for igniting fireplaces.
Designed to ignite gas burners, stoves
Decorative (gift, collection) matches
Limited edition boxes with various patterns (like postage stamps), the matches themselves often have a colored head (pink, green).Some of these matches can be bought in a set consisting of several boxes. For example, a set of boxes from the history of the Russian state consists of 18 boxes.
Box-sized label sets were also produced separately.
Household matches
These are household matches that have, as they now say, "economical packaging."cigar matches
Special matches for lighting cigars and pipes. Cigar matches do not contain sulfur in the ignition head, which negatively affects the taste of cigars. They are thicker than regular matches and up to 10 cm long.
Such a match burns for a long time, but is not protected from weather conditions. Can be used to light fires in calm weather. For extreme conditions, this is a slightly better option than household matches.
I will give examples of some unusual matches
iron matches
Made on the principle of sparklers: a combustible mixture on a wire. The length of the combustible layer is 13 cm. The burning time is 1 min. They ignite through one, the combustible layer crumbles when bent, they are afraid of moisture and wind. The flame is very hot, but the burning time is not enough to ignite. Suitable for home use.
Matches triangular shape from pressed wood dust impregnated with paraffin. Package - cardboard box. Burning time - 6 min.
They burn confidently, with a high flame temperature. Wet, refuse to burn
In the process of burning, they emit a temperature of more than 1000 degrees Celsius! The melting point of aluminum, for example, is about 660 degrees Celsius! Accordingly, if you throw a burning match into a cola can, in theory it should burn it.
Hello to all lovers of homemade products and especially lovers of hiking and fishing trips and in the forest!
Now already underway spring, and not far off and summer!
Summer, as you know, is the best time for various hikes, fishing, trips to the forest for mushrooms and berries.
That is why, already now, it is advisable to start slowly preparing camping equipment for the summer, as well as various things and items needed on hikes.
Perhaps one of the most important camping accessories (which absolutely no hike can do without) is an item that allows you to get fire, such as matches or a lighter. Although matches still represent a simpler and more reliable option and are most often used in various campaigns.
However, matches have one very significant drawback. They are very susceptible to moisture and can quickly get wet, for example, during rain or when dropped into water.
However, matches can be very easily protected from moisture and getting wet if they are covered with a thin layer of melted wax or paraffin. After hardening, a layer of paraffin will reliably protect the matches from getting wet. Moreover, such matches can be kept in water for hours and they will not get wet and will always be ready for use.
At the same time, I want to note right away that there is no need to protect a whole box of matches from dampness in this way. It is enough to cover 5-6 matches with paraffin, as well as one or two strips of sulfur from a box and store them in NZ (emergency reserve).
I, for example, usually during a hike, always carry one full-time box of matches in the side pocket of my jacket, right at hand, and I use it to get fire or kindle a fire.
However, in case this box gets damp or gets lost, I always have a few paraffin-coated matches in my NZ (usually in the inside pocket of a jacket or in a backpack), which are just intended for emergency situations. Therefore, even if I get completely wet in heavy rain or, say, fall into the water, I can always use these matches to make a fire and warm myself.
So, to make such waterproof matches, we need a box of matches, an oblong tin can, tweezers, a source of fire (for example, a candle) and paraffin residues from incompletely burned candles.
Making waterproof matches
To begin with, you need to select 5-6 pieces of good matches from the box (strong enough and with large sulfur heads) and, just in case, dry them for two to three days over a heating battery.
Then, you can start coating our matches with paraffin.
As a source of fire, you can use anything, for example, gas burner or even a lighter, however, it is convenient enough to use an ordinary candle.
By the way, in order not to keep a can of meltable paraffin over the candle all the time with my hand, I decided to make just such a stand out of wire and fix the can on it.
Now you can put pieces of paraffin left over from incompletely burned candles in a tin can.
After that, light a candle and put it under a jar of paraffin.
When all the paraffin has melted, we take a match with tweezers and dip it into the melted paraffin.
We do this several times, with intermediate cooling for a few seconds. For better cooling, you can blow on a match. Dip the match, you need to quickly enough so that the previous layer of paraffin does not have time to melt, and a new layer forms on top of it.
The melted paraffin at the same time should not be very hot. To cool it down, you can simply move a burning candle aside.
We do this procedure with all matches until a layer of paraffin 1-1.5 mm thick is formed on each match. As a rule, this thickness is sufficient.
After that, you need to additionally protect the head and tip of the legs of each match. To do this, several times we dip each match in paraffin with the indicated parts.
Also, you can protect with paraffin and strips with a layer of sulfur.
To do this, cut off two strips of sulfur from the box.
Then we put them together, with a layer of sulfur inward, and also dip them into molten paraffin, first with the edges, and then as a whole.
You can also take a small brush and apply paraffin to it.
And now, our waterproof matches are ready!
But I already put them in a plastic bag for storage.
However, just in case, you can test our matches.
To do this, take one match and strips of sulfur coated with paraffin and place them in water.
Let them soak in water for a few minutes. Although, to be honest, they can be kept in water for several days - they still will not get wet.
Then, pulling them out of the water, we clean them from paraffin.
And we'll light our match.
As you can see, the match lit up normally.
At the same time, such a match covered with a layer of paraffin has another great advantage. In fact, it is a small candle and burns for a very long time, three to four times longer than a regular match.
In general, the burning time of such a match depends on the size of the paraffin layer on it. Therefore, if desired, a thicker layer of paraffin can be applied to the matches. Then they can serve not only as a means of obtaining fire, for example, to build a fire, but also as sources of light, that is, like small candles.
Well, that's all for me!
Goodbye everyone and happy travels!
Campfire set, or how easy it is to light a fire?
The first thing the future campfire should do is to take care of the campfire set. He must do this before the trip. And no need to spare effort and time in order to alleviate your future fate.
So, there should be matches in the set - where without them? Only storage boxes are not suitable: the slightest rain - and even dry matches strike to no avail on wet paper. And if you wrap the boxes in polyethylene, it will still get wet sooner or later ... Therefore, matches in the campaign are stored in waterproof packaging: a plastic jar of film or tablets, which is hermetically sealed. Here, by the way, you need to put a couple of "graters" from the box, on which the matches are kindled.
Matches are the only mandatory item in a campfire set. Everything else - is taken at will, depending on the skills of the campfire. But even the most experienced campfire-makers have little tricks to keep in mind.
Such tricks are dry fuel, a piece of plexiglass or rubber (even pieces of a damaged bicycle tire are suitable), a small candle or a piece of paraffin. With them, making a fire is accelerated many times over. True, anyway, in this case, the fire will need care, it will not magically flare up ... The more tricks you take, the better: if something does not work, there is always the opportunity to try something else ...
It is better not to take gasoline with you. Despite the fact that he will reliably fulfill his role, there are a couple of nuances in his carrying. Firstly, it has a weight greater than the aforementioned dry fuel, and this is clearly felt in a heavy backpack. Secondly, if a bottle with a combustible mixture bursts inside a backpack, at best the backpack itself and the things in it will smell like it. At worst, all the food carried by the unfortunate campfires. And gasoline vapors are poisonous - so, by the way.
Some thrifty campfires carry birch bark, pine chips, flint and so on. But this already applies to individual tricks, which you can come up with an uncountable number.
Of course, the standard (and, in fact, optimal) means of starting a campfire in wet weather is dry fuel. It does not spill, does not have bad smell, and burns even when slightly damp. In an emergency, they can bask in a tent if they periodically ventilate the released ammonia vapors.
Dry fuel also needs to be able to use it correctly. In the hands of an experienced campfire, even half a white tablet works perfectly as that first kindling, which is so lacking in a thoroughly wet forest. In order for dry alcohol to work effectively, you need to prepare enough thin dry branches even BEFORE you set fire to the pill. And during combustion, just in time to put new and new chips and shavings, gradually increasing their thickness.