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Post by orly152 on Sept 16, 2013 19:16:12 GMT -7
I was recently motivated into this project after watching a youtube video posted by cajunlady on different uses for common house hold straws. The fire straw is basically a common drinking straw stuffed with a cotton ball saturated with petroleum jelly. I also used jumbo straws which have a much wider mouth for stuffing the cotton balls. To do the fire straw is a simple process. You will need: Straws Cotton Balls Petroleum Jelly Pliers Lighter STEPS:1) Cut the straws at the desired length 2) Saturate the cotton balls with petroleum jelly 3) With the pliers pinch one end of the straw and melt/seal the end of the straw 4) Thin out the cotton so that it can fit in the mouth of the straw, and stuff the straw with the cotton 5) Once cotton is inside the straw, repeat step 3. This process will make the straw water proof USE:Simply cut open one end of the straw, pull some cotton out and then light. I noticed during my project that it can get messy while stuffing the regular drinking straws because the mouth of the straw are narrow. However, things were a bit easier with the jumbo straws and less messier. Here is a pic of the end results  |
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 16, 2013 19:41:36 GMT -7
Great job orly, glad to hear the video inspired you.  |
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Post by offtrail on Sept 16, 2013 20:40:08 GMT -7
I bet if you just light the end of the straw with cotton and pj inside it it would burn like crazy. But you would need to use a lighter for that.Good job on the fire straws buddy.
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Post by orly152 on Sept 16, 2013 21:00:59 GMT -7
I bet if you just light the end of the straw with cotton and pj inside it it would burn like crazy. But you would need to use a lighter for that.Good job on the fire straws buddy. You are right, I didnt notice that I had a hair of a fiber from the cotton sticking out while I was sealing the end. Well, that baby had a big burn going just from that little cotton hair. |
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Post by jmarshnh on Sept 17, 2013 3:50:09 GMT -7
Very interesting orly.
I imagine one could fit a lot of those in an altoids tin. Same with some of the items cl87 showed us.
Now I just have to get me some jumbo straws and see how big of a mess I can make on the kitchen table this time.
Jim
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 17, 2013 6:56:11 GMT -7
Very interesting orly. I imagine one could fit a lot of those in an altoids tin. Same with some of the items cl87 showed us. Now I just have to get me some jumbo straws and see how big of a mess I can make on the kitchen table this time. Jim Petroleum jelly has so many great uses. I traded it off for beeswax with less oiliness yet works just as well. Always remember not to completely saturate the cotton to use a firesteel to light it, if using a lighter it doesn't matter, just light the straw. In regards to a resource for jumbo straws, I read they are usually available in a hobby or party supply section of stores. Not free but might be what you're looking for.  |
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Post by thywar on Sept 17, 2013 7:04:16 GMT -7
And McDonalds |
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Post by orly152 on Sept 17, 2013 8:01:43 GMT -7
Very interesting orly. I imagine one could fit a lot of those in an altoids tin. Same with some of the items cl87 showed us. Now I just have to get me some jumbo straws and see how big of a mess I can make on the kitchen table this time. Jim Petroleum jelly has so many great uses. I traded it off for beeswax with less oiliness yet works just as well. Always remember not to completely saturate the cotton to use a firesteel to light it, if using a lighter it doesn't matter, just light the straw. In regards to a resource for jumbo straws, I read they are usually available in a hobby or party supply section of stores. Not free but might be what you're looking for. I went to Publix this morning and found multi-color smoothie straws made by Diamond in the isle of the zip-lock bags. The box brings 40 smoothie straws which are just like the jumbo straws, and it cost .99c. You can also get the sleerpy straws at 7-Eleven. Here is a pic of the box  |
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Post by jmarshnh on Sept 17, 2013 9:09:39 GMT -7
I like thywar's suggestion! Now I will pick up some cotton balls when I go for my blood workup and seeins as how I already have the PJ this is gona be cheap fire starters.  Thanks CL87 and orly for the tips on the straws. Love picking up new tips and learning stuff on here. Thanks thywar too for the tip on where to get the big ones. Jim |
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