Tip - How to Make a Slammin' Fire Piston for Under a Buck

Did you know that there's a way to start a fire by squishing air? In this project, I'll show you how to build a tool that does exactly that—and I'll give you a sneak peak into the principals of how a diesel engine operates! Video: . In the early 1800s, before the invention of the safety match, the "Fire Piston" was a common method of igniting fires. It's rare that you'll see one nowadays, but I built one out of transparent acrylic just for fun, and it makes a nice addition to my emergency kit. I got these acrylic rods and tubes from a local plastics company that gave them to me for free. They