Cool project JJ, though the concept had me running around in circles.
Jim Jakosh .... it is used to start a fire if you have no matches or lighter. Just drop that burning charcloth into paper or tinder and it lights up quickly,
Fire up a burning cloth to start a fire... Initially though it was a whistle and now I'm wondering if your blowing smoke with a tune.
Piqued my interest when you mentioned thread chasing. Been a great fan of the Beall wood threader, (though seems to have been basterdised by Lee Valley), however, that has it's size limitations. I'm sure there must be a vid on the process, however, Is there any you could recommend?
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD