fire starter

i have just come across something interesting that could be helpfull to someone,i have not tried this but aparrently holding two aa batteries end to end(pos to neg) then using fine steel wool to short out the other ends will cause steel wool to light on fire. we do not have any steel wool at home so i can not try this. with -22 and 30mph winds outside i cannot even get myself to go to store . would anyone let me know if they have tried this.

You can light steel wool with a dead cigarette lighter (the sparks), a welding torch sparker, couple of coin cells, and/or a 9v battery. It's pretty flammable stuff!

Yes, it will work. You can use just about any battery, it doesn't have to be AA. Steel wool will light pretty easily.

Yup, it works, but a 9V "transistor" battery is easier as the terminals are at the same end.

Probably easier to set the steel wool on fire with a flint and steel. 0000 fine wool burns quite readily.

After you get your steel going, I'll add some magnesium shavings for color. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Chaz, I take it you still have that load of magnesium shavings? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />