Is ferrocerium machinable and/or obtainable in some raw form?

[flmason]

Just curious as I had an idea for a fire started I wanted to construct myself.

[Graybeard]

I give up what the heck is ferrocerium? 

[flmason]

I give up what the heck is ferrocerium? 

The stuff that firesteel, blast-match, etc. is made from. You know the modern, man made "flint" (not the real flint rocks). Makes sparks.

[charles p]

How much can you possibly save by making it yourself?

[Yankee1]

Hi
   I believe this is what you are looking for.
http://firesteel.com/categories/FireSteel-Blank-Rods/
                              Yankee1

[Graybeard]

Might ya be talking about magnesium? It's a metal that looks not unlike steel, ya cut off some and strike a spark and it catches fire and burns hot. I think you might could use a striker on it to shave off hot sparks as well.

After looking at the site I'm pretty sure that stuff they call ferrocerium is merely magnesium.

[Hodr]

Ferrocerium is around 4% magnesium.  Mostly it is a rare earth element stew blended into iron.  If it was just magnesium you would get a thermite reaction and could cast steel with the resulting fire.  back in the 1960s a thermite reaction with a ceramic crucible bottom drip was part of an Army armorers kit to sand cast steel parts for emergency repair parts.  It was a little stupid and short ranged in concept, but as it worked in an emergency to keep up a crew served weapon, I guess it wasn't really stupid, just a pain to do and file the part to fit.

blindhari
Sgt  Ranger

[WD45]

Those fire starter thingys are pretty cheap at the store. Some things I think are easier to to by and sometimes cheaper to buy than you can make yourself and better to just stock up on.

[flmason]

How much can you possibly save by making it yourself?

Oh it's not about savings. It's about a design idea. Don't really want to just start a campfire with it. Kinda want to keep the idea to myself until I figure out if it's workable or not.

[flmason]

Those fire starter thingys are pretty cheap at the store. Some things I think are easier to to by and sometimes cheaper to buy than you can make yourself and better to just stock up on.

Agreed. If it was just about starting a campfire I get a couple of the magnesium blocks with the embedded rod. Sparks and waterproof tinder all in one. Have to admit, *that's* an idea I really like.

[reno2507]

The ferrocerium rod is what is embedded in the magnesium block. The advantage to buying "raw" rod is that you can buy any diameter or length you want, and build any handle you want. I have seen some nice 3/8" rods that are sheathed in a deer antler, and the rod handle is the antler tip, with a leather lace to wear as a necklace. Why? These rods throw A LOT more sparks, and A LOT hotter, and A LOT cheaper!. Plenty of info if you google it. I got a great deal on some from a knife supply company. You can't get sparks like this from the rod in a mag bar, thereby requiring you to shave some mag first.... The rods use magnesium that melt iron particles, so you have more of a "molten metal" instead of just sparks.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRkZWpDqYhw&feature=channel_page or... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS8TJAXC9zQ&NR=1  , but you can find many sources and custom ideas by Google...

[3leggedturtle]

Sounds like a good thing to do a group buy on. Been looking around alot of the companies want a minimun order more than i need or can afford. Video was awesome, sure threw out alot of sparks.

[reno2507]

I would think the hardest part would be everyone agreeing on the same size. At least where I got mine, it is size specific for discounts. However a phone call may change that...?