do you have to keep the magnesium sealed for it to start fire's?
813638
no, its not sold as a fire starter, very hard to start, but some people have done it before
1422664
You will need a separate heat source, as this item only produces smoke. ( and a tiny bit of heat due to the pellets smoldering )
1832830
The outer surface of Magnesium will oxidize/corrode in contact with Oxygen, nitrogen, water, iron, nickel, copper, or esp. cobalt. Not sure what alloy is used here, but most oxidize/corrode as well, to create a thin coating that limits future corrosion, but also gets in the way. First time, and whenever using after a few weeks/months, scraping off a bit of the outer oxidized layer first will give you material just underneath that sparks better. If you'll only use the starter occasionally, you might roll it up in an airtight snack baggie, with the air squeezed out, between uses, to limit the barely perceptible corrosion. Use a different baggie to hold your starter material or dryer lint. The outer surface of Magnesium will oxidize/corrode in contact with Oxygen, nitrogen, water, iron, nickel, copper, or esp. cobalt. Not sure what alloy is used here, but most oxidize/corrode as well, to create a thin coating that limits future corrosion, but also gets in the way. First time, and whenever using after a few weeks/months, scraping off a bit of the outer oxidized layer first will give you material just underneath that sparks better. If you'll only use the starter occasionally, you might roll it up in an airtight snack baggie, with the air squeezed out, between uses, to limit the... » Read More The outer surface of Magnesium will oxidize/corrode in contact with Oxygen, nitrogen, water, iron, nickel, copper, or esp. cobalt. Not sure what alloy is used here, but most oxidize/corrode as well, to create a thin coating that limits future corrosion, but also gets in the way. First time, and whenever using after a few weeks/months, scraping off a bit of the outer oxidized layer first will give you material just underneath that sparks better. If you'll only use the starter occasionally, you might roll it up in an airtight snack baggie, with the air squeezed out, between uses, to limit the barely perceptible corrosion. Use a different baggie to hold your starter material or dryer lint. « Show Less
2261168
Yes, However when a MH light first comes on it needs a bit of power. I would ensure its on a line with a higher amp breaker. It kept tripping out my bathroom circuit. After the light was fully on, I could reset it. If it happens to you, PLEASE don't up the breaker amperage. Find another source that will handle it. Amazon does sell fire extinguisers though.
2122945
We keep a little container that is made to carry a bar of soap and fill it with cotton balls with a smear of vaseline on each one. It will hold about 20 of them compressed. Scrape the magnesium on that and as the others have said, drag the back of the hack saw blade down the black flint at a sharp angle and you will get a spark that lights the magnesium. Once that lights the cotton and vaeline will burn hot for several minutes giving you plenty of time to put tinder on it. Even will work with wet wood if the wood is small enough when you start.
1823474
Yes. Just don't 'shock' it by getting it too hot too fast or cooling it down too fast. I always pull a suply of coals out of the main fire to cook on with no problems.
459201
I think a fire starter gives off sparks, correct? If that is the case, then no. It needs a flame to start. We use matches and it starts in a few seconds. Hope this helps.
1479362
I had the same question. My solution is to keep it in the closet in the house until we are ready to go out. I do the same with any liquid item, batteries, etc., that the AZ heat is likely to destroy.
1643632
Yes, the seal seems to be as tight without locking it. As for fireproof i hope to never find out.
1688468
Yes sir as far as I know add with any cleaning agent there is a rush of flames, however however as long as it is shipped where temperature remains before flash point (labeled on the can) you should be ok. I've stored in the garage and we live in HOT close, and never had any problem. This is the best item to keep contaminated out of Dirk system, but may I add, get Lucas fuel treatment, ad about 1/3 1/4 to FULL tank of gas, keeps corrosion and hoses from premature wearing out. I've used Lucas fit many years and zero problems, good for carb injectors, and rust inhibitors, and stops damage from methanol used in fuels. Hope this helps sir
1262020
Good for literally hundreds of uses. The magnesium is flaked off the "brick" with the sawtooth side of the striker and used to ignite a fire with a quick strike to the brick aimed at the magnesium flakes. It takes some practice but works everytime once you figure out the best technique. The magnesium flakes will ignite when sprayed with sparks and burn ultra hot to ignite whatever dry tinder or wadding you use to start your fire. Again - practice makes for a very useful last resort tool. Personally, I scrape off a small pile of magnesium with the saw provided and use my buck knife blade to scrape the sparker bar. Works every time.
1556506
My fire started is half worn out and it's still in one piece and works perfectly fine. Just make sure you don't use one side or just the middle, strike it evenly around all side, top and bottom to not create any weak or thin areas and you should be fine.
723151
No, it does not. You will have to fill this with gas - as it is illegal to ship flammables.
360465
You don't need the cooler, Just have to weld shorter duration's. If doing long duration's, Then wise to have. Torch will get hot.
244873
Yes, you can. I placed mine in a standard metal fire pit and that works too.
1840971
No. It has a resiliant pad, probably plastic. After at least 80 -100 dry fires the pad is still intact.
1928027
No, but since it doesn't get very hot or leak gas, you can use anything that works for you, like a pack, bag or box. I put extra batteries in a bag when I'm cutting a trail (but you have to remember which ones have been used).