How do I make a fire piston?

Question

I know what it involves, but I don't really know what I can make it out of or anything. I have to be able to see the cotton inside, so it'll probably have to be partly made of glass. Anyone know how or know of a place I can get instructions? Thanks.

Answer 1

If you are going to see the inside and not destroy it, then a glass tube, although in theory you could make just the bottom out of glass and glue a metal tube inside.
You need a cylindrical tube of reasonable diameter - like one inch or 25mm and a wooden plug or dowel the same diameter and if a plug, then a rod to attach to the plug - the rod needing to be strong enough to take a lot of force - 1/2" wood or metal.
You need the end to fit as air tight as you can so you can compress the air.a lot. You need to build up and sand down the diameter until it fits very snuggly (nail polish and string or fabric do for building up, sandpaper for down) and then wax the outside so you can move it.
You are going to need to get 15 or 20 to 1 compression.