Crossties For An Emergency Fatwood Substitute

FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY, SEE HEALTH CONCERNS BELOW! Creosote impregnated woods are everywhere around the world in crossties, train trestles, bridges, retaining walls, utility poles, and marine and foundation pilings. I'll list the health concerns below, but this is still a great Fatwood substitute for emergency situations
I prove a piece of crosstie that I found at the RR Tracks today with ferro rod ignited scrapings from it the using the remainder for a Bow Drill Bearing Block.
homeguides.sfg...
Identifying Creosote Treated Wood
The EPA notes that creosote is approved only for wood used in outdoor settings. In particular, it is used in railroad ties and utility poles, and marine and foundation piling. Creosote-treated wood is not for residential use and is also not intended to be used as landscape timbers or for building raised garden beds.
Due to its specialty applications, the EPA reports that new creosote-treated wood is not commercially available to homeowners. However, the EPA notes that it does not regulate used creosote-treated wood.
Used railroad ties also sometimes end up for sale at recycling centers or can be purchased directly from railroad companies. In addition, both Home Depot and Menards list "used railroad ties - creosote treated" for sale on their websites and suggest using them for landscaping purposes. Despite this sales pitch, the EPA's warnings about creosote-treated wood remain in effect. Assume that all railroad ties have been treated with creosote, and steer clear of them for home or garden use.
Here's another good Link about creosote health concerns www.atsdr.cdc.....
There are many resources online to research the toxicity of Creosote. The above is typical of what I've been finding. Please follow the LINKS below and SUBSCRIBE. Thank You!
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• Ferro Rod Playlist
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• Bow Drill Playlist
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• Bearing Blocks Playlist

[@airgunbubba2505]

Creosote isn't as dangerous as freezing to death or starving....I thank you for this super informative tid bit! Using cigarette butts as a quick start is genius as well.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes. If you only used it a couple of times up to several times throughout your life for emergencies and just as a fire starter, I don't see a problem. LOL! I'm not suggesting people make hotdog skewers from cross tie slivers and roast hotdogs over a pile of blazing cross ties.

[@johnvanegmond1812]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl Lol! My hot dog tastes funny. Shut up and eat your creosote. Really though, if I was worried about the little bit of creosote, once I get the fire up, dump the can and throw only the non creosote back in. If someone is in dire straights and kills themself with creosote, they weren't going to make it anyway.

[@bloodgout]

@@samthai818 kind of a dick, too

[@jimsjacob]

I gotta say, the leisurely way you go about using the ember always stands out to me. All the survivor shows I’ve watched, people are scrambling to get that ember and generally fail. You continue with your video production, show us all kinds of pointers and then after your lunch break, start a fire with that ember in your birds nest of tinder. So impressive!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I know how long the embers last. Some actually do better the longer you let them cook. Ty!

[@jimsjacob]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl Very impressive

[@palco22]

Thanks, although in my neck of the woods (Eastern Canada) fatwood is everywhere but this old creosote wood is also pretty much everywhere and knowing it is another feather in one's cap. Great video, much appreciated !

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend!

[@Traderjoe]

Lots of utility poles are also treated with it

[@timothysalinas37]

If I made a list of top 10 helpful survival videos this would make that list. I'm not sure if people know how helpful this tip is especially for urban area.....slam dunk video!

[@GetMeThere1]

This is a fantastic insight -- especially considering that there are quite a few railroad tracks going through very remote places. Thanks for sharing it!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A great emergency go to. TY!

[@bluewater454]

Great idea. Another thing you can find on rail road tracks is flint stone in the balast stone bed. Can be used for ignition. If I were in a survival mode I would use those materials in a cold second, creosote or no creosote. Breathing in a little toxin would be better than freezing to death, for sure.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Upstate SC is known for abundant Blue Granite. That's all you'll find at our tracks... with some occasional Quartz mixed in.

[@roberthenson6153]

Nothing says you have to burn it exclusively. It’s meant to work as a starter. That said, unless you’re cooking directly over you freshly lit fire, you’d very likely not be exposed to much.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Finally!!! a voice of reason!

[@silaslongshot941]

As a kid I lived a few miles from a creosote processing plant where they 'pressure cooked' pine trees into telephone poles and cross ties. What a stench, could smell that stuff miles away. Their storage yard had hundreds of poles curing at all times.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A week after I made this video, The RR Company had about 20 to 30 specialized track, rail, tie, and gravel replacement vehicles stretched out along the tracks for a half mile slowly refurbishing everything. You could smell creosote a 1/2 mile away.

[@HikerJohn316]

I burned it and there was no dain brammage. ; )

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Now fhat's tunny!!!

[@BobBlarneystone]

How can you tell?

[@stroys7061]

😂

[@bobcole3852]

My concern too...

[@FanceeName]

😂

[@davidnieve6444]

New a man in the 1980 who used a RR tie fore a mantel over a home built fire place. Beautiful until the fire started! No one was hurt, but the home was up in smoke! Great vid thanks!

[@jimstuart3373]

You sir are a great teacher. Been teaching my grandson many of the techniques you have taught me. Thank you.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Jim.

[@brooksto]

I agree with Jim - David is a great teacher. Not sure what David did for a living but I believe his true calling is teaching.

[@xessq1]

used to burn old railroad ties in an old farmhouse when i was younger man... had forgotten how flammable they are ... if you've never seen a railroad bridge burn ... :)

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Wow!

[@Hobbypayday]

Almost afraid to ask how you know what a railroad bridge-burning looks like lol.

[@goingroguenow]

I could watch your videos for hours. For the boy in all of us.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Fun!

[@alexdetrojan4534]

Didn't know this...learned something new and useful today. Plus as a bonus railway ties are everywhere. Thanks for sharing.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Everywhere, TY!

[@circlet58]

Great video and info, "good thing to know when times get hard". Thanks for sharing.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Circlet!

[@MrWoofie62]

I really like the little burner you've made! I think I've just found my next project!

[@richardsolomon8076]

Not an every day thing, but a great get out of trouble free card. 😎🍻

[@jeffvaughn7987]

My Uncle was a lineman for the telephone company here in Virginia. One day he was climbing a creosote pole for a repair, and there was a hornets nest in a tree limb above his head, and he accidentally hit it. He was fighting them off, and his hooks jumped out , and he slid down that 16' pole, and all those creosote splinters embedded in both legs on the inside, and groin area. I can only imagine the pain, it took him years to get over that.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I remember watching linemen climb poles as a kid. Some poles had the l shaped screw in steps and others did not.

[@markfrost8745]

Railroad ties, telephone poles, fence posts all have creosote on them. Fence posts with creosote will be harder to find nowadays. When I worked on a farm in the summer many years ago, put creosote on many a fence post. Nasty stuff. Used old fence posts for bonfires, and it was a heck of a fire!

[@BluegrassBushcraft]

There used to be a creosote plant in the town where I grew up. I will never forget the smell of that town. Never thought of using it as a fatwood replacement. Great video. Thanks for sharing and God bless.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

IT has that distinctive smell. I got a good whiff of it while scraping it.

[@tubeonline629]

Terra Haute, IN.?

[@Hobbypayday]

I do believe that you could build a fire in a hurricane David. It never gets old seeing new ways to make a fire.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LOL! Like the Broomstraw video I just did.

[@stevedavison6115]

I passed by a pile to cross ties yesterday and this crossed my mind. I think I will pick up a few pieces to try today. Interesting.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Don't breath the smoke. Creosoted wood is for fire starting in an emergency.

[@boatkid888]

Thanks David! I wouldn't have thought of railroad ties

[@tylerwilliams3229]

I love how long you let your embers establish without any input! 🤣

[@dc8man2]

Thanks for the good videos David. As it turns out the RRs in south Florida use all concrete ties now days so the wood ones are disappearing fast here.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

They sell used ones at Lowe's and Home Depot here.

[@saltyshellback]

I remember as a kid, we had a playground that had this huge climbing tree made from a bunch of railroad ties bolted together. It had splinters and would sometimes leave residue on your hands and clothes when you climbed on it. Good times 😄

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend!

[@leannkennedy6568]

Lol

[@armyguy9735]

My Grandfather used to collect Moose dropping and dry it in the sun. Once dry, he'd dip it in leftover wax, once lit, the dry fibre in the poop acts like a wick. Just an old timer logic. Big fan.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Smart!

[@briangeiger6153]

Whatever damage creosote can do probably is already done to me, as I tore the stuff off of roofs for years, so no I don't think burning it once can cause lasting damage. Just use enough to get your fire started, and I think you'll be fine. Don't stand in the direction the wind is blowing, and you should minimize the effects of breathing it in.

[@robertspikes1376]

Just make sure you dont get a creosote splinter, cause it will get sore as heck!

[@troybranaman316]

Thats so awesome!! I lived by track's most of my life and they are always replacing them . They can be bought at some building stores in the spring as landscape timbers. Thanks again for a great informative video! Take care and stay safe my friend !!!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Most places I've lived at have had crossties lining the flower beds or like here, where we just moved, a couple of low retaining walls. They are degraded enough to just pick up a piece and start using it.

[@brandonmahnke3716]

I know its flammable, but I never thought about it as a tinder. Good to know, thanks.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Emergency use only, know the health concerns about creosote. Thank you!

[@anthonyfazio503]

Dave, you sat there cool and calmly set tools to the side all while letting that ember sit and burn. I was looking at my screen yelling, "When the Hell is he gonna throw that thing in the bird's nest?" Lol. Great job.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LOL! Let bow drill embers coalesce at least 2 minutes.

[@pedroleal7118]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Wow, that tabacco tip is geniuous, never would thought about it! ps, sorry for my bad English!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Your English was perfect. Thanks friend!

[@rxpusher131]

I appreciate your patience with your coal

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I let all bow drill coals coalesce for 2-3 minutes... hand drill coals about a minute.

[@shadowx8405]

First time I’ve ever heard of this. Cool. Great info. 🤙

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Good stuff for emergencies.

[@druface12345]

Good tip would not have thought of that

[@stevengibson9240]

Wow I learn something new with you every time

[@auldreekievaper5394]

Wow as soon as you mentioned creosote it took me right back to my childhood when my grandfather would treat his shed with it in summer to proof it for winter unfortunately here in the UK you can no longer buy creosote same with turpentine its all creosote substitute and turpentine substitute and finding a wooden railway sleeper is like hen's teeth as they were replaced with reinforced concrete version great video as always David ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Never knew wood could be top coated with it. I always thought it was pressure treated somehow.

[@auldreekievaper5394]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl yeah he would give it two coats every summer much to the disapproval of the neighbours given the smell on a hot summers day 😂😂😂

[@jay90374]

@@auldreekievaper5394 - wow, two coats every summer! So pretty much useless as a topcoat, we used old motor oil, at least it lasted six or so years.

[@tylerwilliams3229]

Let's show people they can strike ferro rod with quartz or flint! I have tried it and it works!

[@makerofmanythings8447]

Old power poles and telephone poles are everywhere also.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

True.

[@CHARGERDON55]

You are the fire king, hands down.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LOL! Thank You!

[@markwonder4246]

Always enjoy your vids, knowledge and organization!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Fun, thank you friend!

[@pablocruz62]

Worked around it for many years. Never heard thought of it as tinder Great idea. The point about reactions to it are correct. It never bothered me but I know of many guys that at least get a rash.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes, and I'll only be using it for emergencies.

[@riverrunner23]

I thought for sure the bow drill embers were going to burn out before you would apply them. Cool as a cucumber, you were, though. Good to know info, never thought of using RR ties, etc. in lieu of fatwood. Thank you, enjoyed it.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thank you. Please see my bow drill playlist.

[@kellywallin2641]

Thank you, sir. A good piece of information.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY, SEE HEALTH CONCERNS BELOW! Creosote impregnated woods are everywhere around the world in crossties, train trestles, bridges, retaining walls, utility poles, and marine and foundation pilings. I'll list the health concerns below, but this is still a great Fatwood substitute for emergency situations I prove a piece of crosstie that I found at the RR Tracks today with ferro rod ignited scrapings from it the using the remainder for a Bow Drill Bearing Block. homeguides.sfgate.com/creosote-harmful-garden-77104.html Identifying Creosote Treated Wood The EPA notes that creosote is approved only for wood used in outdoor settings. In particular, it is used in railroad ties and utility poles, and marine and foundation piling. Creosote-treated wood is not for residential use and is also not intended to be used as landscape timbers or for building raised garden beds. Due to its specialty applications, the EPA reports that new creosote-treated wood is not commercially available to homeowners. However, the EPA notes that it does not regulate used creosote-treated wood. Used railroad ties also sometimes end up for sale at recycling centers or can be purchased directly from railroad companies. In addition, both Home Depot and Menards list "used railroad ties - creosote treated" for sale on their websites and suggest using them for landscaping purposes. Despite this sales pitch, the EPA's warnings about creosote-treated wood remain in effect. Assume that all railroad ties have been treated with creosote, and steer clear of them for home or garden use. Here's another good Link about creosote health concerns www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=64&tid=18#:~:text=These%20reports%20indicate%20that%20brief,%2C%20unconsciousness%2C%20or%20even%20death. There are many resources online to research the toxicity of Creosote. The above is typical of what I've been finding. Please follow the LINKS below and SUBSCRIBE. Thank You! Ferro Rod Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3lI6k8TH1Bljf57Yvp9K1WD Bow Drill Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3kw-EXlvpLS68aJjR89P4ae Bearing Blocks Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3lwi4bBSrVyJkE_omDFGR7g

[@lg654]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@wanderingcalamity360]

Good info. Wouldn't have thought of that.

[@djay6651]

Looks like a good thing to have in a survival kit. I've burned old rail ties and they go up easy and burn hot and fast.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Emergency use only.

[@darkbulb367]

Great info! Thanks for publishing.

[@tc8533]

Finally, a demo that used fire starting 101 technique! Roll your tinder in your palms to make it finer and more flammable. You earned my subscription, great job!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks TC. You've got a lot of catching up to do. I have over 730 fire making videos.

[@davidmcneil1452]

Always thinking, aren’t you. We reap the benefits. I have never had a set that consistently created embers that won’t coalesce. It happens occasionally which makes me think it’s a technique thing for me. With red oak up here I found that lighter pressure while creating the dust has had better results for me. Takes a lot longer though. YMMV. Enjoy the good weather!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Bowing at a slower speed and with less pressure can sometimes cure this problem like with Tulip Poplar on Tulip Poplar, or only make it some better like with this set Live Oak on Tulip Poplar, or have no effect like with Water Oak on Water Oak.

[@davidmcneil1452]

I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve been sticking to matched sets for spindle and hearth. I tried beech today and guess what? The ember did not want to coalesce 😀. Out came the punkwood, your words ringing in my ears!

[@alicarroll8236]

Oh happy day to you my dear friend. That is some dark stuff. Light's up just like some good ole Fatwood Bacon. Stay safe and warm and burn on.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Doesn't have the same sizzle though.

[@OldPhartbsa]

Scotty's Castle in Death Valley was/is heated by old railroad ties. There's about a million of them stacked nearby (no lie) in the gulley behind the property.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I hope they are not Creosote treated.

[@danielww9022]

Next video, cotton and railroad ash fire roll. I'll give that a try today and comment on the results in this comment thread. I'm horrible at videos, so I'll leave that up to you. UPDATE: the burned creosote worked well in the cotton roll, even went to flame as I was tweaking the roll. The unburned shavings (instead of ashes) did make a weak ember, but unsustainable.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I won't be practicing with this toxic material anymore. Thanks DWW!

[@outdoors-university]

One more video with great information! Thank you for sharing! Stay safe and have fun!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend.

[@juwright1949]

What great idea! Thank you soooo much. Right into my bag of tricks it goes. 👍🏻

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks James!

[@darrellbesser3606]

Such a simple idea...but brilliant!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Simply brilliant.

[@GodBearOutoors]

Wow great idea 👍! I'll definitely add this to the toolbox. Thank you.

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

Excellent ideas thinking outside the box! people have literally stumbled over this without giving a second thought thanks for sharing stay strong&healthy safe&happy!!(=✌💚

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Likewise CC!

[@OmegaGenesisTrueEarth]

Love these videos! Keep doing what you do!

[@jakebendel5238]

outstand something new for me. thank you.

[@timvest8141]

The master of fire does it again.

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

This content is of interest to me because of questions that have arisen about what in the hell gave me cancer. If the doctors know they are not saying what it was. 😬. I’m lucky to be alive having survived pancreatic cancer, at least for now. I hope that never happens to any of the folks that happen to read this comment. It has been absolutely no fun at all and my new normal is not great but obviously better than the alternative.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

They don't know cause, but some risk factors are age, heredity, smoking, drinking, red meat and other dietary factors.

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl I did all of that and more. Anyway I’m lucky to be alive and between all the doctors and nurses I thoroughly understand they saved my life and thus they are high on my list of heroes. By the way I subbed to your channel and I know I’m going to enjoy it. Thank you sir👍🏻

[@buzzandselunsupervised649]

Fascinating 👏👏 cheers for that. I will give it a try . ATB and stay safe Cheers Sel UK

[@BCJerbs]

Havè to say David your very good at making fire videos bruv! I did my first one today for all my American friends on my birthday to boot! Thx for always sharing your skills with all of us! Cheers, Jerbs.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Jerb's. I appreciate it!

[@BCJerbs]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl I appreciate your wealth of knowledge you share...so everyone should be thanking you!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend! I enjoy this hobby.

[@BCJerbs]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl I need to get myself one of those little Ferro rods that you use...I think it would help me get better results.

[@BCJerbs]

I just went on Amazon and can't get those ones in Canada and specially not even near those prices...they want a month salary for 1/2-6inch and can't seem to find any 3 packs of those sizes

[@knives2my497]

Great info, thank you!

[@Zanthum]

Unfortunately they are slowly replacing all the wooden sleepers with concrete ones. Some older power/telephone poles are also treated with creosote but you have to be careful not to get the green pressure treated ones. They can be full of heavy metals.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

True!

[@JimRodgers]

Seems that using a small amount of creosote impregnated wood to start a fire isn't terribly toxic. You're only using a few small shavings to get the process started. Great idea.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

And making sure to stay out of the smoke too.

[@AggyGoesOutdoors]

Creosote was banned 20 years ago in the UK for those exact reasons you mentioned. We got replacement called creocote not sure how well that would work, but it's rubbish on fences.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Never heard of Creocote. Interesting. TY!

[@markpeatrowsky3023]

Great info! Well done.

[@justinadkins6538]

In my area they're changing old wooden ties out for concrete ties. Those will be a lost resource before ya know it

[@FanceeName]

Seems like concrete would crack under pressure of the trains.

[@tommythuntdeer]

Nice work!

[@terrysanders2817]

Persistance pays! Thank you.

[@kullcraven]

Mr. FIRE KING, that will be your nickname from now on from me, There is no more David, but Fire king, it is. :) Great job once again and thanks for haring man. all the best.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend!

[@michalkowalski4438]

Now i know to do not use train as a transport in David's area. It may be dangerous😂😂

[@KalpeshPatel78]

Anything that is fluffy, scruffy, dried and dead works well as a fire starter. Punk wood works great as well. Punk wood is nothing but a long dead tree that is rotting away. Where I live, I don't have Fatwood. (though from what I understand, fatwood is nothing but sap collected in the joints of a tree). People gotta experiment with all the wood they can collect off the ground and from the forest. I have started fires with dead, dry leaves too. You just have to fluff it up as much as possible. And it needs to be 100% dry.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LOL! Please check out my 730 fire making videos.

[@KalpeshPatel78]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl Have been seeing your videos since ages David. I'm sure people who say "I don't have fatwood where I live" have not seen your videos.

[@thomaschainey3230]

Great video thanks. Good tip to know.

[@adamlamb5634]

Brilliant . Thanks Adam from Wales uk

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Adam!

[@JDK45ACP]

great video. Thanks, brother.

[@cipher2]

Thank you!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks CTP!

[@karlelliott9254]

There’s just something about the smell of the railroad switch yard on a 100 degree Summer day. Oil, fuel, exhaust, creosote, dirt, hot rock, livestock, tires on new cars, strawberries, lettuce, box car Willie, hobo fires, urine, other unspecified waste, rain, ozone, drying pine lumber, dead dogs, dead cats, stuff on the cow catcher, Wiley Coyote and fresh graffiti paint. Look closely for the Sasquatch hair on the front of the Locomotive.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Man Karl! That was a masterpiece word picture you just painted. Are you a writer? By the way I must admit that I love the smell of diesel fuel, diesel exhaust, fresh asphalt being laid down, welder's smoke. It's because of the jobs that I've had... Asphalt Worker, Trucker, and Pipe Fitter.

[@karlelliott9254]

Just an old North Carolina farm boy that’s like you, I’ve seen a lot and done a lot. Thanks, I am not a writer but have been told I could be but I can’t see starting another career. Due to the last year I will never be the same and I haven’t been sick. Just the times that are somewhat similar to the Civil War of the 1860’s and my eldest Grandfather was born in 1879. Unrest, division, lack of a meaningful life seem to be the roads for too many today. Sometimes things are too hard and sometimes too easy. Life is a tight rope. Thank you for your channel.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes, also our Country and our freedoms will never be the same.

[@zulvalor7266]

Great video. Will be using this 👌

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Will be pleased.

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

Most excellent!

[@BillDrives]

First thing I thought of was the Mr Creosote scene from "the meaning of life" movie. ;) Great video by the way.

[@rickdd606]

Thanks for the info. I have an abundance of RR ties and after trying i was pleased with the results, thanks. I recently moved to a desert area and have lots of mesquite. Have you ever used mesquite for spindle and block? Would like to see your results.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

No Mesquite in SC.

[@congamike1]

Thanks!

[@martinphilip8998]

Get a hook knife to make nice curls.

[@randy-9842]

Once again you amaze and educate me. I wouldn't have considered cross tie slivers as substitutes for Fatwood, but they do make sense -- and @roberthenson6153 (Robert Henson's) comment (a couple years before mine here) is spot-on! You don't have to cook over a creosote fire, just use it to start a more natural cooking fire and you should be OK. Btw: I grew up in a small oil field town in the 50's & early 60's and have always loved the smell of road and roofing tars and creosote -- a reminiscent reminder of those good ol' days!! Many thanks for your videos.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Me too, and diesel fuel too.

[@woodlandbiker]

Great idea.

[@damnhandy]

Seeing your rotting creosoted wood technique, it occured to me that one can create fatwood from any kind of fat or oil, from bacon grease to dirty motor oil, on practically any kind of wood.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Oils and greases from plant, animal, and petroleum products burn well

[@ravenrock541]

Good tip, tks

[@edgoad7129]

Great video. How did you make the birds nest? Was it completely pine needles?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes and tobacco for coal extender.

[@shj2000]

What would happen if fatwood or creoste were used as either the spindle or fireboard?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

They work for a bearing block because they are slick. You need friction to make an ember.

[@sdsurfer8152]

I thought about using tobacco as a starter. I don't smoke but many litter the butts and some still have tobacco.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes, I have videos about cigarette butts for fire making.

[@kitobi10660]

its harder here to get fatwood, its something that has to be ordered in especially, but i have creosote in the shed, i wonder if i could pre soak some wood offcuts to prep them up for my own version of fatwood?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

The stuffs too dangerous. For emergency use only.

[@stepheneatch2793]

Except most ties laid now would be a bit of a challenge to light being made of concrete

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Many fragments of 100 year old and younger ties are available for use.

[@victoryfirst2878]

What else can be used Dave ??? Thanks

[@caniaccharlie]

FIrst time commenting on your videos, but I've really been enjoying your channels, I'm learning a lot! That stuff looks like it may burn even better than fat wood? Maybe I mean longer, or not as fast?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Charlie!

[@Electronicpoacher1]

I heard you say a live oak for the spindle what did you use for the hearth board ??