Wikiciv - User contributions [en]

Fur

2025-05-13T20:26:53Z

CarsonBoardman:

[[File:American mink geograph.co.uk 2083077.jpg|thumb|Mink, a fur-bearing animal]]
Fur is a soft and dense growth of hair that occurs on most mammals. It is composed of oily guard hair, that prevents moisture from reaching the skin, and thick underfur, that acts like a layer of insulation in order to keep the animal warm. Fur has many uses for mammals: protection, waterproofing, regulating body temperature, camouflage and sensory purposes.

= Use in Clothing =
Fur is one of the oldest materials used in [[clothing]] and is thought to have been used for at least 120,000 years. Fur is usually worn in colder climates to benefit from it's waterproof and insulating qualities but it has also been worn as a symbol of wealth and status in history.

=== Processing Fur ===
The method used depends on the type of fur and purpose. Common chemicals include [[salt]], acids, soda ash, sawdust and cornstarch.

The first step to process fur is skinning the carcass though this must be done while the carcass is frozen since temperature change can cause the hair to fall of. The carcass can also bleed if not frozen. After it has been skinned; it's fleshed, dried, salted, pickled and tanned.
[[File:Sami clothing 4.JPG|thumb|A pair of Sami boots made of fur.]]

= Also See =
https://www.ncwildlife.gov/afwahandlingfurpdf/download?attachment

Talk:Social Sciences and Philosophy

2025-05-13T20:22:07Z

CarsonBoardman:

Should we do the same thing that wikipedia does where every page will link back to this one after so many internal links? That would be funny if generations later, can find this same thing.<br />
CarsonBoardman: Did you just create a talk page before the article page? that's wack

Talk:Social Sciences and Philosophy

2025-05-13T20:20:31Z

CarsonBoardman:

Should we do the same thing that wikipedia does where every page will link back to this one after so many internal links? That would be funny if generations later, can find this same thing.
CarsonBoardman: Did you just create a talk page before the article page? that's wack

Fur

2025-05-13T00:17:33Z

CarsonBoardman:

Fur is a soft and dense growth of hair that occurs on most mammals. It is composed of oily guard hair, that prevents moisture from reaching the skin, and thick underfur, that acts like a layer of insulation in order to keep the animal warm. Fur has many uses for mammals: protection, waterproofing, regulating body temperature, camouflage and sensory purposes.

= Use in Clothing =
Fur is one of the oldest materials used in [[clothing]] and is thought to have been used for at least 120,000 years. Fur is usually worn in colder climates to benefit from it's waterproof and insulating qualities but it has also been worn as a symbol of wealth and status in history.

=== Processing Fur ===
The method used depends on the type of fur and purpose. Common chemicals include [[salt]], acids, soda ash, sawdust and cornstarch.

The first step to process fur is skinning the carcass though this must be done while the carcass is frozen since temperature change can cause the hair to fall of. The carcass can also bleed if not frozen. After it has been skinned; it's fleshed, dried, salted, pickled and tanned.
[[File:Sami clothing 4.JPG|thumb|A pair of Sami boots made of fur.]]

= Also See =
https://www.ncwildlife.gov/afwahandlingfurpdf/download?attachment

Talk:Activities

2025-05-12T23:58:23Z

CarsonBoardman: Created page with "I wonder if this is a necessary page"

I wonder if this is a necessary page

Activated charcoal

2025-05-12T23:57:39Z

CarsonBoardman:

'''[[wikipedia:Activated_Carbon|Activated charcoal]]''', also called '''activated carbon''', is a form of [[carbon]] commonly used to filter contaminants from [[water]] and [[air]], among many other uses. It is processed (activated) to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption.

== Uses ==
Activated carbon is used in [[methane]] and [[hydrogen]] storage; air, [[gold]] and [[water]] purification; capacitive deionization, supercapacitive swing adsorption, solvent recovery, decaffeination, metal extraction, [[medicine]], sewage treatment, air filters in respirators, filters in compressed air, production of hydrogen chloride, edible electronics, and many other applications.

===Industrial===
One major industrial application involves use of activated carbon in metal finishing for purification of electroplating solutions. For example, it is the main purification technique for removing organic impurities from bright [[nickel]] plating solutions. A variety of organic chemicals are added to plating solutions for improving their deposit qualities and for enhancing properties like brightness, smoothness, ductility, among others. Organic additives generate unwanted breakdown products in solution. Their excessive build up can adversely affect plating quality and physical properties of deposited metal. Activated carbon treatment removes such impurities and restores plating performance to the desired level.

===Medical===
[[File:ActivatedCharcoal.JPG|thumb|upright|Activated charcoal for medical use]]

Activated carbon is used to treat poisonings and overdoses following oral ingestion. Tablets or capsules of activated carbon are used in many countries as an over-the-counter drug to treat diarrhea, indigestion, and flatulence. However, activated charcoal shows no effect on intestinal gas and diarrhea, and is, ordinarily, medically ineffective if poisoning resulted from ingestion of corrosive agents, [[boric acid]], [[petroleum]] products, and is particularly ineffective against poisonings of strong acids or bases, [[cyanide]], [[iron]], [[lithium]], [[arsenic]], methanol, ethanol or ethylene glycol. Activated carbon will not prevent these chemicals from being absorbed into the human body. Incorrect application (e.g. into the lungs) results in pulmonary aspiration, which can sometimes be fatal if immediate medical treatment is not initiated.

===Environmental===

Carbon adsorption has numerous applications in removing pollutants from air or water streams both in the field and in industrial processes such as:
* Spill cleanup
* Groundwater remediation
* Drinking water filtration
* Air purification
* Volatile organic compounds capture from painting, dry cleaning, gasoline dispensing operations, and other processes
* Volatile organic compounds recovery (solvent recovery systems, SRU) from flexible packaging, converting, coating, and other processes.

Activated carbon is also used for the measurement of radon concentration in air.

===Agricultural===

Activated carbon is an allowed substance used by organic farmers in both livestock production and wine making. In livestock production it is used as a pesticide, animal feed additive, processing aid, nonagricultural ingredient and disinfectant. In organic winemaking, activated carbon is allowed for use as a processing agent to adsorb brown color pigments from white grape concentrates.It is sometimes used as biochar.

===Fuel storage===
Research is being done testing various activated carbons' ability to store [[natural gas]] and hydrogen gas. The porous material acts like a sponge for different types of gases. The gas may then be desorbed when subjected to higher temperatures and either combusted to do work or in the case of hydrogen gas extracted for use in a hydrogen fuel cell. Gas storage in activated carbons is an appealing gas storage method because the gas can be stored in a low pressure, low mass, low volume environment that would be much more feasible than bulky on-board pressure tanks in vehicles.

===Gas purification===
Filters with activated carbon are usually used in compressed air and gas purification to remove [[oil]] vapors, odor, and other [[hydrocarbon]]s from the air. The most common designs use a 1-stage or 2 stage filtration principle in which activated carbon is embedded inside the filter media. Activated carbon filters are used to retain radioactive gases within the air vacuumed from a nuclear boiling water reactor turbine condenser. The large charcoal beds adsorb these gases and retain them while they rapidly decay to non-radioactive solid species. The solids are trapped in the charcoal particles, while the filtered air passes through.

===Chemical purification===
Activated carbon is commonly used on the laboratory scale to purify solutions of organic molecules containing unwanted colored organic impurities. Filtration over activated carbon is used in large scale fine chemical and pharmaceutical processes for the same purpose. The carbon is either mixed with the solution then filtered off or immobilized in a filter.

===Mercury scrubbing===
Activated carbon, often infused with [[sulfur]] or [[iodine]], is widely used to trap [[mercury]] emissions from coal-fired power stations, medical incinerators, and from [[natural gas]] at the wellhead. However, despite its effectiveness, activated carbon is expensive to use. Since it is often not recycled, the mercury-laden activated carbon presents a disposal dilemma.

== Crafting instructions ==
Activated charcoal can be activated in one of two common methods of production.

==== Materials needed ====
Either
* [[Charcoal]]
* Sieve
* [[Furnace]]
* A source of steam or pure oxygen

or

* [[Charcoal]]
* Acid or Strong base

'''Physical activation:'''

# Crush the Charcoal
# Screen the pieces such that they are small enough that a gas can penetrate the entire piece, but not so small that their packing density prevents gasses from reaching each piece (as may be the case with dust). When finished, all pieces should be roughly the same size.
# Heat the charcoal between 600-1200°C in the presence of steam or pure oxygen. This can be done by sending the gas through to one side of a container of and exhausting the gas through the other side. Practically, an intake pipe can be fed into a mostly-sealed furnace, in through an open bottom of a container of charcoal and up to the top of the charcoal. Exhaust gasses are free to escape through the bottom of the charcoal and through an exhaust port of the furnace.
# As this process is endothermic, it is recommended the process is stopped, allowed to heat back up and restarted a number of times.
# remove the charcoal from the furnace and let cool.

'''Chemical activation'''

# Crush the Charcoal
# Mix with an acid or strong base. Typical solutions include lemon juice 25% bleach 25% calcium chloride 25%, potassium hydroxide 5%, sodium hydroxide 5%, potassium carbonate 5%, and zinc chloride 25%. The charcoal should be wet, but not saturated.
# Let sit for 24 hours.
# Boil for 3 hours. This is the activation step.
# Once cooled, rinse the charcoal to remove any leftover reagents and let dry.

== Dependencies ==
* [[Carbon]]
** '''Activated charcoal'''
*** [[Water]]

== See also ==
* [[Charcoal]]
* [[Coal]]

== References ==
{{wa|Activated_carbon}}
[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Chemical compounds]]

Acetylene

2025-05-12T23:55:42Z

CarsonBoardman:

'''Acetylene''' is a [[Chemical compounds|chemical compound]] with the formula C2H2 and has the structure HC≡CH.

It is a colorless and odorless gas.

= Uses =
Acetylene is highly flammable and when mixed with oxygen it gives the hottest flame of any common fuel gas, reaching over 3000 degrees celsius, making it useful for manipulating metal.

=== Steel Welding/Cutting ===
Before arc welders were invented, acetylene torches were a common method of welding steel together. They can also be used to cut steel, however their use is limited as the heat created can ruin any heat treatment that has been done on a metal.

=== Brazing ===
Brazing is the joining of two pieces of metal using a Solder of another metal. For example, Brass is sometimes used to braze the steel frames of bikes.

Acetylene can provide localized heating in order to do this method of joining metal.
= Production =
The historical method of production is the chemical reactions between calcium carbide and water.

CaC2 + 2 H2O → Ca(OH)2 + C2H2

Abacus

2025-05-12T23:54:37Z

CarsonBoardman:

An '''Abacus''' is a tool used for simple arithmetic.

== Crafting instructions ==

==== Tools needed ====

* [[Lathe]]

==== Materials needed ====

* [[Wood]]

==== Instructions ====

# TODO

== To use ==
also TODO

Coke(Fuel)

2025-05-10T20:19:23Z

CarsonBoardman:

'''Coke''' is a derivative of [[coal]] or [[petroleum]] that is commonly used in production or refinement of materials where a sustained high temperature is required. Coke is the typically produced from high quality coal usually referred to as coking coal or metallurgical coal. This burns considerably hotter than other coal and the coke it produces is used to create steel.

== Uses ==
Coke is used in industrial [[iron]] production, as a fuel for blacksmithing, and where a very hot burning fuel is required.

== Production ==
Coal used to produce coke must have additional [[properties]] over normal coal. It must have fluidity, swell, and volatile components in order to produce coke. During heating and partial burning under a low oxygen environment these additional properties allow the coal to partially melt and expand into a [[carbon]] foam. This is controlled by the properties of the coal, how much heating has occurred, how much [[oxygen]] has been allowed into the coke oven, and how long it has been at a certain temperature.

==== Tools needed ====

* Sealed vessel, such as a drum tort

To make, heat coal in the sealed vessel to high temperatures.
[[Category:Chemistry]]
[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
[[Category:Fuel]]
[[Category:Processed materials]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

Coal

2025-05-10T20:06:23Z

CarsonBoardman:

{{distinguish|Charcoal}}
[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg|thumb|250px|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]

'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.
[[File:Subbituminous.jpg|thumb|208x208px|A lump of subbituminous coal. ]]
Coal can be found in a few different forms, these being Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous and Lignite. The images on this article give some examples of their differing appearances.

Anthracite is the highest quality of coal, and is black, hard and quite glossy/shiny. It has a high carbon content, meaning it has a good heating value so it is the most desirable.

Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg|thumb|250x250px|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

== Uses ==
Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

== Extraction ==

==== Tools needed ====

* Earth-moving tools; [[shovel]], [[pick]], etc.

Coal is extracted from mines. Several methods can be used to extract it, each with differing levels of complexity and danger.

Room and pillar mining is common, in which pillars of the coal seam are left to support earth above. This can help prevent collapse, but reduces yield due to the coal left in the pillar.

== Dangers ==

=== Mining ===
During coal mining, fine dust can be inhaled and cause chronic inflammation. [[Protective Gear|Respiratory protection]] should be worn.

=== Pollution ===
Coal has Sulfur impurities, which create smelly and toxic fumes that can mess with your local environment. Coal tar is full of various organic compounds such as benzene and aldehydes which are toxic and carcinogenic. These can accumulate in a chamber where coal is being burnt.

It also often has some heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, and Nickel. These are released into the air or concentrated in the Ash of coal during combustion. Therefore, it is extremely important to dispose of Coal Ash properly and not use it in your garden or let it contaminate water sources.

=== Self-combustion ===
While on small scales this isn't a risk, coal is able to self-ignite. When coal is stored or transported in bulk it is watered to reduce this danger.

== Dependencies ==

* [[Carbon]]
* [[Peat]]
** '''Coal'''
** [[File:Lignite.jpg|thumb|A pile of lignite coal. It has a noticeable brown tinge.]][[Fuel]]

== See also ==
* [[Raw material]]
* [[Coke(Fuel)]]
* [[Activated charcoal]]
* [[Carbon dioxide]]
*[[Charcoal]]
*[[Fire]]

== References ==
{{wa|Coal}}

[[Category:Fuel]]
[[Category:Hydrocarbons]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

Math

2025-05-10T15:57:26Z

CarsonBoardman:

Math, or Mathematics, is the term used for the science of numbers, whether just for Math (Pure Mathematics) or to be used in other fields (Applied Mathematics).

== Mathematical Symbols ==
There are some symbols that are utilized in Mathematics that are not found elsewhere, such as:

* = : The equals sign. This symbol means that the values of the numbers on both sides of it are the same.
* + : The plus sign. This means that the values of the numbers on either sides are going to be combined.
* - : The minus sign. This means that the value of one number is going to be removed from the other.
* % : The percent sign. This dictates that the number preceding it is a percentage of something out of 100.
* * or x : The multiplication or "times" sign. This means that the values of the numbers on either sides of it are going to be multiplied together, making a larger value.
* / : The division sign. This means that the value of the numbers are going to be reduced by how many times one number can be put into the other.

== Basic Mathematics ==

=== Addition ===
Addition is the act of adding one number to another. One and one is two, or ''1+1=2''.

=== Subtraction ===
Subtraction is the act of removing value from a number. Five taken away from six is one, or ''6-5=1''.

=== Multiplication ===
Multiplication is the act of multiplying one number's value by another, or increasing the value by that many times. Five multiplied by two is ten, or ''5*2=10''. This is often said as "times", or "five times two", as in "if you take five two times, you have ten".

It is also easily interpreted as repeated addition, using the previous example; ''5*2''. We can add five, two times: ''5+5 = 10'', '''OR''' we can add two, five <u>times</u>, ''2+2+2+2+2= 10''.

=== Division ===
Division is the act of dividing a number's value by another, or reducing the value to how many times that value can go into it. Ten divided by two is five, or 10/2=5.

==== A Division Example in Story Form ====
It is also easily visualized by imagining one is at a meal (bread and cheese), and that each person must receive an equal portion. To achieve this requires division, so you go around the table handing out pieces of bread and cheese one at a time, but suddenly... you have one portion of bread and cheese remaining to distribute to five people, there are two basic options:

# Leave a ''"''Remainder''"'' for the host, letting them keep the extra bread and cheese all to themselves.
# Split the last portion of bread and cheese in five to share evenly, making <sup>1</sup>/<sub>5</sub> portions (one fifth or 0.2 of a portion).

== Advanced Mathematics ==

=== Functions ===
Functions are a part of Mathematics that describe the action(s) preformed on an "input". The result of a function is an "output". Any Mathematical operation done is a form of function, including counting (referred to formally as succession). There are many ways to represent functions, the most common being; '''Function Notation, Algebraic, Graphical,''' within a '''Table,''' or using '''Natural Language'''.

=== Axioms ===
Axioms are the most fundamental aspect of Mathematics, being the basic rules that are assumed to be always true. Most separate categories of Math are made distinct by additional or altered axioms being present, the most noticed example being in lower level Physics<ref>[[:Category:Physics]]</ref> where additional axioms are added to account for universal Laws and context based simplification.

=== Constants ===
Closely related to axioms are the less fundamental constants, simply put these are values that are extremely common to the point that they are assigned a Mathematical/Alphabetical symbol. Common examples include; the ratio of a circle's circumference divided by its diameter: ''π'', the speed of light: ''c'', the imaginary number: ''ί,'' Euler's number: ''e'', and the golden ratio: ''φ''.
<references />

== Mathematical tools ==

* An [[abacus]] is an analog calculator for basic arithmetic.

[[Category:Maths]]

Cannons

2025-05-10T15:54:16Z

CarsonBoardman:

== Definition ==
A '''cannon''' is a [[Firearms|firearm]] that shoots large projectiles, most commonly using [[Explosives|explosive]] fuel. A predecessor to modern firearms, early cannons fired cannonballs using [[black powder]].

== Crafting instructions ==

# Create a positive of the cannon out of an easily worked material, such as wood. This can be done on a [[lathe]]. It will not include a bore.
# Create a two piece sand mold of the wooden cannon, with included funnel and gas channels.
# Melt enough cast iron to fill the mold and carefully pour.
# When solidified, demold and mount in lathe.
# Bore the barrel to slightly over the diameter of cannonballs.
# Drill a small hole to intercept the end of the barrel for firing.

== To use ==

# Place an appropriate charge of black power at the end of the barrel.
# If the cannonball is to loose in the barrel, add wadding between the charge and projectile.
# Push projectile to end of barrel.
# To arm, either (1) place fuse in small hole, or (2) fill hole with fine black power.
# To fire, either (1) light the fuse, or (2) light fuse powder.

Battery

2025-05-10T15:41:46Z

CarsonBoardman:

=== Battery ===
A '''battery''' is a device that stores and provides [[Electricity|electrical]] energy through electrochemical reactions. In its simplest form, it consists of one or more electrochemical cells that convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Batteries are essential for powering a variety of tools, devices, and even entire cities.

==== History of Batteries ====
Batteries have been in use for centuries, although they weren’t always called "batteries." The earliest form of a battery can be traced back to the '''Baghdad Battery''', believed to be from around 250 BC. This device, thought to be a simple galvanic cell, was made from a clay jar, copper and iron, and possibly used for electroplating.

The modern battery, as we know it, was developed in the 1800s by '''Alessandro Volta''', an Italian scientist who created the first true battery in 1800 — the '''Voltaic Pile'''. This marked a significant turning point in the development of electrical energy storage.

==== Types of Batteries ====

# '''Primary Batteries''' – These are non-rechargeable batteries that are used once and then discarded. They include '''alkaline''' and '''zinc-carbon''' batteries.
# '''Secondary Batteries''' – Rechargeable batteries that can be used multiple times, such as '''lithium-ion''' and '''nickel-cadmium''' batteries.
# '''Flow Batteries''' – These are a newer type of rechargeable battery used in large-scale energy storage systems.

==== How Galvanic Cells Work ====
The Galvanic Cell is the foundation for common place ion batteries, as well as the original battery, the voltaic pile. A galvanic cell consists of a cathode, an anode, an electrolytic solution, and a wire running from anode to cathode. An element with lower standard electrode potential is selected for the anode material, and an element with a higher standard electrode potential is selected for the cathode material. The electrode potential of typical elements have been tabulated and can be referenced in the Standard Electrode Potential chart. The difference in electrode potential between the cathode and anode is what causes the electrons from the anode to move to the cathode. Think of the electrode potential as how much the element will want electrons. A higher difference in electrode potential between the electrode will results in a higher drive voltage.

Upon the creation of a circuit in the battery, a voltage is created due to the anode material breaking down into the electrolyte solution, and the breakdown of bonds within the metal is the source of electrons for the battery. The electrons then run through the wire to reach the cathode, and once the energy of electricity is used from the circuit between the anode and cathode, the electrons collect at the cathode where the cathode pulls ions out of solution from the electrolyte to gain mass.
[[File:Galvanic Cell illustration.png|thumb|676x676px|Illustration of a simple galvanic cell.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Standard Electrode Potential Table'''
!Element
!Half Reaction
!Electrode Potential
|-
|Gold
|Au⁺ + e⁻ → Au
| +1.692
|-
|Silver
|Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag
| +0.7996
|-
|Copper
|Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu
| +0.342
|-
|Iron (III)
|Fe³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Fe
|–0.037
|-
|Lead
|Pb²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Pb
|–0.126
|-
|Nickel
|Ni²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Ni
|–0.257
|-
|Cadmium
|Cd²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cd
|–0.403
|-
|Iron (II)
|Fe²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Fe
|–0.447
|-
|Zinc
|Zn²⁺ + 2 e⁻ → Zn
|–0.762
|-
|Aluminum
|Al³⁺ + 3 e⁻ → Al
|–1.662
|-
|Magnesium
|Mg²⁺ + 2 e⁻ → Mg
|–2.372
|-
|Calcium
|Ca²⁺ + 2 e⁻ → Ca
|–2.868
|-
|Lithium
|Li⁺ + e⁻ → Li
|–3.040
|}

==== Uses of Batteries ====

* '''Personal Devices''': Batteries power phones, laptops, and other gadgets.
* '''Energy Storage''': They store energy from solar, wind, or other sources for later use.
* '''Electric Vehicles''': Batteries are the primary source of power in electric cars and buses.
* '''Medical Devices''': Batteries are critical for devices like pacemakers and hearing aids.
* '''Military and Space Applications''': Batteries are used for everything from communication equipment to spacecraft.

==== Future of Batteries ====
The future of battery technology looks promising, with ongoing advancements in materials (like '''solid-state batteries''') and efficiency improvements. Researchers are also exploring '''sodium-ion''' and '''graphene batteries''' as alternatives to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
[[Category:Technology]]

Anvil

2025-05-10T15:40:52Z

CarsonBoardman:

(selectively transcribed from Wikipedia, still needs work.)

An '''anvil''' is a metalworking tool consisting of a large block of [[metal]] (usually forged or cast steel), with a flattened top surface, upon which another object is struck (or "worked").

Anvils are massive because the higher their inertia, the more efficiently they cause the energy of striking tools to be transferred to the work piece. In most cases the anvil is used as a forging tool.

The great majority of anvils are made of cast steel that has been heat treated. Inexpensive anvils have been made of cast iron and low-quality steel, but are considered unsuitable for serious use, as they deform and lack rebound when struck.

== Structure ==
The primary work surface of the anvil is known as the face. It is generally made of hardened steel and should be flat and smooth with rounded edges for most work. Any marks on the face will be transferred to the work. Also, sharp edges tend to cut into the metal being worked and may cause cracks to form in the workpiece.

The ''horn'' of the anvil is a conical projection used to form various round shapes and is generally unhardened steel or iron. The horn is used mostly in bending operations.

The ''step'' is the area of the anvil between the "horn" and the "face". It is soft and is used for cutting; its purpose is to prevent damaging the steel face of the anvil by conducting such operations there and so as not to damage the cutting edge of the chisel, though many smiths shun this practice as it will damage the anvil over time.

The ''hardy hole'' is a square hole into which specialized forming and cutting tools, called hardy tools, are placed. It is also used in punching and bending operations. These are not to be confused with swage blocks, although their purpose is similar.

The ''pritchel hole'' is a small round hole that is present on most modern anvils. Some anvils have more than one. It is used mostly for punching. At times, smiths will fit a second tool to this hole to allow the smith more flexibility when using more than one anvil tool.

==== Suitable Materials ====
The face is hardened and tempered to resist the blows of the smith's hammer, so the anvil face does not deform under repeated use. A hard anvil face also reduces the amount of force lost in each hammer blow. Hammers, tools, and work pieces of hardened steel should never directly strike the anvil face with full force, as they may damage it; this can result in chipping or deforming of the anvil face.

A common blacksmith's anvil is made of either forged or cast steel, forged wrought iron with a hard steel face or cast iron with a hard steel face. Cast iron anvils are not used for forging as they are incapable of standing up to the impact and will crack and dent. Also, cast iron anvils without a hard steel face do not have the rebound that a harder anvil would and will tire out the smith.

Cheap anvils made from inferior steel or cast iron are considered unsuitable for serious use. Amateur smiths have used lengths of railroad rail, forklift tines, or even simple blocks of steel as makeshift anvils.

==== Placement ====
The anvil is placed as near to the forge as is convenient, generally no more than one step from the forge to prevent heat loss in the work piece. An anvil needs to be placed upon a sturdy base made from an impact and fire resistant material. Common methods of attaching an anvil are spikes, chains, steel or iron straps, clips, bolts where there are holes provided, and cables.

== Materials needed ==

== Crafting instructions ==

== Dependencies ==

== See also ==

== References ==

# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anvil

Acetylene

2025-05-10T15:39:35Z

CarsonBoardman:

'''Acetylene''' is a [[Chemical compounds|chemical compound]] with the formula C2H2 and has the structure HC≡CH.

It is a colorless and odorless gas.

= Production =
The historical method of production is the chemical reactions between calcium carbide and water.

CaC2 + 2 H2O → Ca(OH)2 + C2H2

= Uses =

Ramp

2025-05-10T15:38:16Z

CarsonBoardman: Fixed double redirect

#REDIRECT [[Inclined plane]]

Soft iron

2025-05-10T15:38:02Z

CarsonBoardman: Fixed double redirect

#REDIRECT [[Wrought iron]]

Sponge Iron

2025-05-10T15:37:45Z

CarsonBoardman: Fixed double redirect

#REDIRECT [[Direct Reduced Iron]]

Coke(Fuel)

2025-05-10T15:35:27Z

CarsonBoardman:

'''Coke''' is a derivative of [[coal]] or [[petroleum]] that is commonly used in production or refinement of materials where a sustained high temperature is required. Coke is the typically produced from high quality coal usually referred to as coking coal or metallurgical coal. This burns considerably hotter than other coal and the coke it produces is used to create steel.

The coal used to produce coke must have additional [[properties]] over normal coal. It must have fluidity, swell, and volatile components in order to produce coke. During heating and partial burning under a low oxygen environment these additional properties allow the coal to partially melt and expand into a [[carbon]] foam. This is controlled by the properties of the coal, how much heating has occurred, how much [[oxygen]] has been allowed into the coke oven, and how long it has been at a certain temperature.
[[Category:Chemistry]]
[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
[[Category:Fuel]]
[[Category:Processed materials]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

Knife

2025-05-10T15:28:33Z

CarsonBoardman: Soft steel can be used, just must be hardend

[[File:Spinifex and Sand Illustration 37.jpg|thumb|250px|A quartz knife]]

A '''knife''' is a [[Tools|tool]] or [[Weapons|weapon]] with a cutting edge or blade, usually attached to a handle. It is one of the earliest tools used by humanity, originally made of [[wood]], [[bone]], and [[stone]] (including [[flint]] and [[obsidian]]). With improvements in both metallurgy and manufacturing, over the centuries knives have have been made from [[copper]], [[bronze]], [[iron]], [[steel]], [[ceramic]], and [[titanium]]. Knives can serve various purposes, including [[hunting]], as [[weapons]] (either melee or for throwing), survival, [[cooking]] and eating.

== Materials needed ==
* '''[[Steel]]''': Hot-rolled or annealed metal is easier to work with. Soft or mild steel must be [[Heat treatment|hardened]] after shaping. Stainless steel rod for the pins and tubing for the thong hole might also be needed.<ref name="EHT">"[https://extremehowto.com/how-to-make-a-knife/ How to Make a Knife – A DIY Guide To Knife Making]", Extreme How-To, 8 March 2009. Retrieved on 4 May 2022</ref>
* '''Crotch walnut wood blanks''': Hardwoods are the best woods for knife handles, and professionally stabilized wood is even better. Stabilized wood is easier to grind, easier to finish and lasts longer.<ref name="EHT"/>

== Crafting instructions ==
Knives can be crafted from zero using a metal blank for the blade and wood or other materials for the handle. Knife blades can be started from scratch by one of two methods: stock removal, or filing and grinding; or forging, also called "bladesmithing". Stock removal is the easiest to do and can be done with a few tools, while forging requires much more experience and tools.<ref name="EHT"/>

=== Creating the pattern (metal blade) ===

Create a full size [[paper]] pattern of the blade and trace it onto the blank using a felt-tip pen. Using a metal punch, create starter dimples for a series of holes around the outside edge of the outline. The dimples should be spaced a little farther apart than the full diameter of the drill bit and half the diameter apart from the outline. Bore the holes using a Cobalt drill bit in a drill press. Work slowly, keep the bit lubricated with cutting oil and prevent the steel to get too hot, or otherwise the metal can become "work-harden". Also make sure the blank is clamped solidly. Mark the locations of the pin holes and the thong hole, and bore them as well.<ref name="EHT"/>

Once all holes have been bored, clamp the blade blank in a solid vise on a sturdy workbench and cut between the holes with a bi-metal hacksaw blade. A metal-cutting bandsaw makes the chore quicker and easier. To shape the blade, the traditional method is filing, which takes time and effort. Clamp the blade blank in a good solid vise and using a new flat bastard file, file the blank down to the outline. Use a file card to keep the file clean of metal filings, and always keep the file at 90 degrees to the blank. Always use complete safety equipment and put a bucket of [[water]] under the grinder to catch the sparks. Afterwards, locate the knife edge's center and use a permanent marker to mark over the blank's bottom edge. Place the blank on a smooth, flat surface and use a sharp-pointed drill bit, a little smaller in diameter than the thickness of the steel, to scribe the centerline. Roll the bit along the edge, turn the blank over and roll it again, creating two lines down the blade.

Screw the blade blank down to a solid workbench with the blade protruding over the edge. Use a chainsaw file to create the "plunge" line, where the bevel stops, at the back of the blade. Ise the bastard mill file to draw-file the blade to shape, following both the outline of the blade side and the marked centerline on the bottom edge. Attached the blank solidly makes the task that would otherwise take time and effort quicker. Repeat on the opposite side. Cover the bevel created with the permanent marker and file over it to find high and low spots in the blade.<ref name="EHT"/>

=== Fitting the handle blanks ===

To fit the handle blanks, sand the blade blank lightly, as well as the handles, to make sure they are smooth and flat. Place masking tape on the outside face of one handle blank and clamp it to the blade blank. Bore holes through the blade and blank. Remove the blank and mark the inside and repeat for the opposite handle blank. Mark the outline of the blade blank on the handle blanks and using a bandsaw cut them to shape, leaving the handles slightly oversize.<ref name="EHT"/>

Cut the pins and thong-hole tubing to slightly oversize in length. Chuck the pins in a portable electric drill and use [[sandpaper]] to lightly roughen them and thin them down a bit so they will fit into the holes. They should fit snugly, but not extremely tight into the handle and blade blank holes. If too tight, they can split the handle material. Fit the handle blanks to the blade and tap the pins and tubing in place. Rough-grind the handle and blade blank to shape. Remove the handles, mark the front profile and rough grind them to shape.<ref name="EHT"/>

=== Heat treatment ===
The blade should be [[Heat|heat-treated]], the a good knife can be produced without needing a forge or [[kiln]]. For this heat treatment, closable container of [[Oil|peanut oil]] and a campfire will be needed. Let the fire burn down to hot embers and place the blade in the coals using a pair of long metal tongs. Although not exactly the same temperature; many makers use a magnet to know when the steel is ready. Once the blade loses magnetization, leave it for a few minutes to let it reach true "critical" temperature and then let it cool to black. The third time the blade is brought up to temperature, quickly quench the blade in the peanut oil. After it cools; clean the blade and run a file across the edge. Do this a few times to help "normalize" the blade. The edge should be “glassy,” and instead of biting in the file will skate across the edge.<ref name="EHT"/>

After quenching in the peanut oil, the blade wlll be hard but extremely brittle. Tempering brings the hardness down and the brittleness out of the mmetal. To temper the blade, set a kitchen oven to 400 degrees and place the blade for two hours. Wrapping the blade in a couple of layers of aluminum foil will help keep the blade from smelling while in the oven. Let it cool and repeat.<ref name="EHT"/>

=== Finishing the blade ===
Clamping down the blade securely, using a sandpaper. Start with the highest grit possible to get your scratches out. Back the sandpaper with a block of square Micarta or a piece of flattened wood, and lubricate it with oil. Moving the grit out of the way while sanding helps. Afterwards, work up the grits, working them in 45-degree angles to remove the previous grit's scratches. Sand until you get to the desired finish. Clean up by sanding horizontal lines from plunge to tip.<ref name="EHT"/>

=== Gluing on the handles ===
To glue on the handles, clamp them together to ensure the handle fronts are even on both sides and finish the fronts to the desired grit. Putting a little penetrating oil on the blade and wrapping it in a paper towel, covered with masking tape, helps protecting the blade while putting on the handles. Rough-up the tang and handles a bit to give the epoxy more sticking surface. Clean all areas with rubbing alcohol and mix plenty of epoxy. Roll the pins in epoxy and tap them through one handle side, then glue-up the handles and tap the pins all the way through. Clamp to squeeze down the handles, using Q-tips to clean the excess epoxy. Let dry overnight. If the working environment is too cold, it can be brought to a warmer place. After drying, grind down the pins slowly, since the pins can get heated and burn the surrounding wood very easily. Use a good wood rasp or grinder to shape the handle. Finish with sandpaper. Sand until the handles are smooth and scratch-free, then apply wood finishing oil.<ref name="EHT"/>

== Safety ==
When crafting a knife, always wear eye protection, such as full safety goggles, and wear a respirator and hearing protection if power grinding.<ref name="EHT"/>

== Dependencies ==

* [[Bone]]
* [[Bronze]]
* [[Ceramic]]
* [[Copper]]
* [[Flint]]
* [[Iron]]
* [[Obsidian]]
* [[Steel]]
* [[Stone]]
* [[Titanium]]
* [[Wood]]
** '''Knife'''
*** [[Hunting]]

== See also ==
<div style="column-count:2">
* [[Axe]]
* [[Chisel]]
* [[Club]]
* [[Flint]]
* [[Spear]]
* [[Sword]]
* [[Tools]]
* [[Weapons]]
</div>

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk7vu2RYxvI Knife Making 101: How To Make Your First Knife] - Red Beard Ops, 30 October 2020, YouTube

{{wa|Knife}}

[[Category:Melee weapons]]
[[Category:Tools]]

Growing potatoes

2025-05-10T01:59:31Z

CarsonBoardman: CarsonBoardman moved page Growing potatoes to Potato: Changed to fit convention

#REDIRECT [[Potato]]

Potato

2025-05-10T01:59:30Z

CarsonBoardman: CarsonBoardman moved page Growing potatoes to Potato: Changed to fit convention

The potato is a [[Crops|crop]] which can be grown on fields.The potato is rich in nutrients like carbohydrates and could be an essential part of a energy-rich diet.
[[File:Solanales - Solanum tuberosum - 3.jpg|thumb]]

== 1. Definition ==
The potato (/pəˈteɪtoʊ/), ''Solanum tuberosum'', is a starchy tuberous vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are underground tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae.

== 2.History ==

Wild potato species occur from the southern United States to southern Chile. The potato was first domesticated in southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia[15] by pre-Columbian farmers, around Lake Titicaca.

Following the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, the Spanish introduced the potato to Europe in the second half of the 16th century as part of the Columbian exchange. The staple was subsequently conveyed by European mariners to territories and ports throughout the world, especially their colonies. European and colonial farmers were slow to adopt farming potatoes. However, after 1750, they became an important food staple and field crop[21] and played a major role in the European 19th century population boom. According to conservative estimates, the introduction of the potato was responsible for a quarter of the growth in Old World population and urbanization between 1700 and 1900. However, lack of genetic diversity, due to the very limited number of varieties initially introduced, left the crop vulnerable to disease. In 1845, a plant disease known as late blight, caused by the fungus-like oomycete Phytophthora infestans, spread rapidly through the poorer communities of western Ireland as well as parts of the Scottish Highlands, resulting in the crop failures that led to the Great Irish Famine.

== 3. How to grow potatoes ==

=== 3.1. Right soil ===

# Ideal Soil for Potatoes Loamy, loose soil: Well-aerated soil allows tubers to expand freely. Avoid compacted or rocky soil.
# Slightly acidic pH: Ideal [[pH]] is between 5.5 and 6.5. Too alkaline (above 7) increases risk of scab.
# Nutrient-rich: Mix in [[compost]] or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers—they promote leafy growth over tubers.
# Moist but well-drained: Consistent moisture is key, especially when tubers are forming, but the soil should never be soggy.
# Best Garden Position for Planting Potatoes Full Sun: Potatoes need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose an open area, away from shade cast by trees or buildings.
# Good Drainage: Avoid low-lying spots where water may pool. Potatoes rot in soggy soil, so raised beds or mounded rows are ideal.
# Crop Rotation: Avoid planting in the same place where potatoes or other nightshades (like tomatoes or peppers) grew in the past 2 years. This reduces the risk of disease buildup (like blight or scab).

=== 3.2. How to get seed potatoes ===
[[File:Potato - ഉരുളകിഴങ്ങ്.jpg|thumb]]
''To get seed potatoes, you first need to find regular potatoes (for example, on old potato fields, as the potatoes planted there will come back every year if not harvested, or in former vegetable shops or garden supply stores). The potatoes then need to be placed in a warm, sunny environment for 1–2 weeks until they sprout. Once the sprouts (green shoots growing from the tuber) are about 5 cm long, they are ready to be planted.''

=== 3.3. How to plant the potatoes ===
[[File:Men and women planting potatoes (circa 1950).jpg|thumb]]
Sowing depth: 8–10 cm
Row spacing: 30–35 cm
Companion plants: As with most vegetables, it’s important to consider proper crop rotation and suitable companion plants to improve yield. Potatoes generally grow well alongside: broad beans, cabbage varieties, kohlrabi, caraway, corn, and spinach.
Pre-sprouting: Start sprouting from March
Planting out in beds: April to May
Plant the pre-sprouted potatoes from mid-April to early June at the latest, placing them in the soil at a depth of 8 to 10 cm and spacing them 30 to 35 cm apart. Make sure the sprouts are pointing upwards and do not break off.

Potatoes are usually grown in ridges, as these warm up better, give the tubers more space, and make it easier to cultivate the soil. The ridges are about 60 cm wide. Early potatoes can be planted as early as mid-March. In this case, it is advisable to cover them with plastic or fleece to protect the sprouts from frost.
When the plants reach a height of 15cm you have to hill potato plants.Covering potato plants with fresh, loose organic material rich earth like this can continue until the hill is as tall as you can or want to make it.

=== 3.4. Watering ===
Maintaining consistent soil moisture, rather than alternating between wet and dry conditions, is important for healthy tuber development and to prevent issues like growth cracks and malformed potatoes. Overwatering can lead to tuber problems like powdery scab and lenticel growth, as well as increased susceptibility to diseases. To ensure high yields, it's crucial to maintain a moist soil, avoiding both overwatering and allowing the soil to dry out completely, especially during the critical tuber formation and bulking stages.

=== 3.5. Fertilizing ===
It is advised to use liquid fertilizer to fertilize them every 2 weeks. To make liquid fertiliser put water and plant parts(most optimal is nettle(Urtica dioica)) in a pot and let it ferment for two weeks. Than dilute the solution with fresh water to get the ready fertilizer.

=== 3.6. Harvest ===
Before harvesting the potatoes, remove the wilted foliage above ground. If you have placed your seed tubers in mounds, harvesting should be relatively easy. Be careful when digging up potatoes planted in shallow beds, as the soil is usually compacted, so you will need to apply more force when digging. To help keep strains and injuries to a minimum, we recommend a digging fork, rather than a spade, to gently lift the potatoes out of the ground. There are also special potato forks with rounded tips to protect the tubers from punctures.

Regardless of the tool used, it is best if the soil is relatively dry when harvesting. If the soil is moist, too much of it will stick to the potatoes, and they will need to be washed before storage. Any moisture on the potatoes in storage will promote the growth of harmful fungi and lead to premature spoiling of your harvest. Bruising on potatoes, however, is not a problem as long as the potatoes are dry. The tubers are quite robust and can be stored in boxes in several layers.
Tip: Make sure you get every potato, even the small ones, out of the ground. Otherwise, the potatoes left behind can germinate, and new plants will emerge the following year − which might not be in the best interests of crop rotation or your planting plans.
Storing potatoes and preserving them after harvesting
The potato is one of those vegetables that stores well as it is, unprocessed. However, the right conditions for storage are crucial. Above all, the potatoes must be stored in a cool, dry and dark place to prevent premature germination. Humidity is also a decisive factor in ensuring that your potatoes last for a long time. High humidity, about 90%, is ideal for keeping potatoes fresh and preventing wrinkling.

=== 3.7. Potato pests ===
Various pests cause damage to potatoes, sometimes only on the plant, but often also on the tasty tubers. Here are the most common potato pests and tips on how to avoid infestations and control them.

Aphids (Aphidoidea): These small, sucking insects can cause leaf deformation on potatoes. In nature, however, they are no match for beneficial insects such as ladybirds (Coccinellidae) and lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla carnea), among others, who serve to keep the aphid numbers under control.
Wireworms (Agriotes): These dark yellow, several millimetre long beetle larvae eat deep tunnels into the nutritious tubers. Good soil preparation, an early harvest (using early variety and pre-sprouting seed potatoes), and a balanced crop rotation with a cultivation break of 4 to 5 years greatly reduces the risk of a wireworm infestation.
Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata): This beetle hibernates in the soil and lays its eggs on the underside of the leaf shortly after the first potato shoots appear. The potato beetle larvae eat entire potato plants within two to three weeks. Spraying oil of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) combats the potato beetle larvae in the young larval stages L1 to L3. It is important to check the plants regularly to spot damage in the early stages. Colorado potato beetles and their larvae can be removed by hand when they are too large for neem treatment.
Potato beetle eating potato leaf
The larvae of the Colorado potato beetle can consume the entire plant foliage in just a short time.
Potato root or potato cyst nematodes (Globodera): If potatoes are planted without a long enough cultivation break (4-5 years), harmful nematodes can colonise and repeatedly infest the roots of the plants. A severe infestation is indicated by growth disturbances and yellowing of the leaves. Small, brownish cysts appear on the roots and can survive in the soil for up to 15 years. The potato plant yields drop by up to 50%. Good crop rotation, avoiding other host plants, and using resistant varieties prevent nematode infestation.
Voles (Arvicolinae): Various species of Arvicolinae, especially the field mouse (Microtus arvalis), like to gnaw on potato tubers and can cause great damage. Above ground, individual shoots may wilt and die because their roots have been cut. Read our article on how you can deter voles to find out more about these rodents.
Many potato diseases can be prevented or limited by good crop rotation and companion planting instead of monoculture. We give tips on good companion plants for potatoes.
Fungal diseases on potatoes
Fungi cause a number of different diseases on potatoes. Here, prevention really is the best means of defence. For some diseases, however, there is no way to save the plants once the symptoms appear.

How to prevent fungal diseases on potatoes:

Choose varieties with low susceptibility
Remove potatoes that have grown from the previous year as early as possible
Chit (pre-sprout) the tubers for earlier harvesting before infestation
Keep wide row and planting distances to allow plants to dry
Apply a well-balanced fertiliser
Only harvest ripened tubers with firm skin
Use crop rotation and healthy, certified seed potatoes to prevent soil-borne fungi
In case of acute infestation, dispose of infected plants in household waste and use approved spray fungicides
Cutworms (Agrotis): The caterpillars of moths, known as cutworms, prefer to live in light, warm soils and can cause severe feeding damage to potato tubers. The grey-brown shiny cutworms, which measure up to 5cm long, curl up when touched. The moths also lay their eggs on weeds, so hoeing the potato rows is an important preventive measure. An acute infestation of cutworms on potatoes can be controlled with nematodes of the genus Steinernema carpocapsae, which are simply stirred into water and spread with a watering can.
Root rot (Rhizoctonia solani): A potato disease that causes dark, surface spots on the tubers and indented, brown spots on the stem. The plants grow stunted and produce only a few shoots. A white fungal coating can form at the base of the stem, and sometimes the leaves of the shoot tip curl up. The pathogen is soil-borne; only crop rotation prevents renewed infestation.

== 4. Prepare potatoes for consumption ==
Potatoes must be cooked or boiled soft before eaten. Only the potatoes are edible, not the leaves or the stamm. To enhance the flavour cook them in salt water and peel them.

Lime Concrete

2025-05-10T01:52:58Z

CarsonBoardman: revert

#REDIRECT [[Lime concrete]]

__NOTOC__

Lime Concrete

2025-05-10T01:44:49Z

CarsonBoardman: Blanked the page

Light, Candles and Lamps

2025-05-10T01:35:58Z

CarsonBoardman:

The use of any material to create artificial light

== Types of light sources ==

* [[Candle]]
* [[Lamp]]
* [[Lamp|Limelight]]
* [[Chlorine water light]]
* [[Light bulb]]
* [[LED bulb]]

[[Category:Crafts and techniques]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Lamp

2025-05-10T01:34:47Z

CarsonBoardman: expanded a bit

== Description ==
A source of light or heat, typically burning a fuel source. Can be made from [[Ceramic|ceramics]], [[metal]], or other materials. May be powered by [[oil]], kerosene, electricity, or other sources.

== Materials ==

* a wick, often [[cotton]], or other fibrous plant materials.

== Crafting Instructions ==

==== Basic Oil Lamp ====

# Using [[clay]] and methods described in [[pottery]], create a vessel with a reservoir for oil and a place for a wick.
# Fill reservoir with oil.
# Create a wick by twisting fibrous material into a tight bundle, and place in oil with a section above the liquid's line.
# Allow time for capillary action to whet and saturate the wick.
# Light the wick.

==== Limelight ====

== Forms of lamps ==
• Oil lamp

• Calcium carbide lamp

Light, Candles and Lamps

2025-05-10T01:22:55Z

CarsonBoardman:

The use of any material to create artificial light

== Types of light sources ==

* [[Candle]]
* [[Lamp]]
* Limelight
* [[Chlorine water light]]
* [[Light bulb]]
* [[LED bulb]]

[[Category:Crafts and techniques]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Limestone

2025-05-10T01:21:33Z

CarsonBoardman: Expanded article, not certain this is the best formatting for it.

[[File:Limestone Eocene deposit at Sinj Stari grad - Dalmatia - Croatia IMG 20210820 083857.jpg|thumb|250px|Limestone deposit in the karst of Dinaric Alps near Sinj, Croatia.]]

'''Limestone''' is a common type of carbonate sedimentary rock. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of [[calcium]] carbonate. Limestone forms when these minerals precipitate out of [[water]] containing dissolved calcium. This can take place through both biological and nonbiological processes, though biological processes, such as the accumulation of corals and shells in the sea, have likely been more important for the last 540 million years.

== Extraction ==
Limestone can be identified by it's grayish color, it's reaction to [[Acid|acids]], and it's conversion to [[quicklime]] in high heat.

==== To test using heat ====

# Place a sample of stone into the middle of a [[Fire|fire.]]
# Allow the stone to cool down, either by removing it from the fire or letting the fire die. Do not use water.
# The stone is limestone if (1) it has lightened in color, to a white; (2) it fizzes and expands when placed in water

This test will create quicklime, and in water, slaked lime.

==== To test with acid ====

# Drop a small amount of acid onto the stone sample.
# The stone is likely limestone if a gas is produced.

Limestone can be crushed and collected from the earth.

== Uses ==
Limestone is a vastly useful material. It can be used to create [[Lime Concrete|concrete]], quicklime lighting, and is a valuable building material.

==Dependencies==
*[[Calcium]]
*[[Lime]]
*[[Water]]
**'''Limestone'''
== See also ==
* [[Brick]]
* [[Lime Concrete]]
* [[Lime Mortar]]
* [[Raw material]]
* [[Zeolite]]

== References ==
{{wa|Limestone}}

== External links ==
* [https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/2018/03/06/lime/ Lime], primitivetechnology.wordpress.com. 6 March 2018.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY Primitive Technology: Lime] - Primitive Technology, 6 March 2018, YouTube

[[Category:Lime]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

Oven

2025-05-10T01:06:51Z

CarsonBoardman: Aligned article with style guide. Instructions for brick oven needed.

An '''oven''' is a heated cavity primarily used in cooking, usually at lower temperatures than [[Kiln|kilns]] or [[Furnace|furnaces]]. Ovens can be made from [[mud]], [[clay]], [[Brick|bricks]], [[metal]], and other materials.

== Crafting Instructions ==

==== Simple Earthen Oven ====

# Create a base for the oven with large flat stones, it needn't be one piece but larger surfaces and more thermal mass are preferable.
# Using mud or clay, make a complete circle on top of the base. No more than 6 inches (15 cm) tall and at least 6 inches thick.
# Add more layers on top of previously, letting partially dry if not structurally sound. Each layer should be just as thick, but with a smaller diameter. The cross section should resemble a parabola.
# When the full dome is complete, carve out a hole at the base, to access interior.
# Optionally, an entry section may be extended out.

==== Brick Oven ====

# Build a brick oven

==== To use ====

# Light a fire inside the oven, if the oven is new, keep it smaller for longer to dry out the oven. Too rapid of heating may cause cracking.
# When the fire has died down to mostly coals, either remove them or push them to one side or the back.
# Food may now be cooked inside, heat will continue to be supplied by embers, if applicable, as well as the thermal mass of the walls and base.
# Add small pieces of fuel at a time to control the temperature.

The door may or may not be blocked off

== Uses ==
Ovens are primarily used to cook food.
[[Category:Technology]]

User:CarsonBoardman/Draft:ManualofStyle

2025-05-10T00:51:06Z

CarsonBoardman: Created page with " == Commonly used title names == * <big> Materials needed</big> ** This should not be on pages of raw resources * <big>Crafting instructions</big> There are often several ways to make something, each way should be titled in Sub-heading 2. Instructions should be a numbered list wherever possible. * <big>Use(s)</big> * <big>Dependencies</big> * <big>See also</big> * <big>References</big> * <big>External links</big>"

== Commonly used title names ==

* <big> Materials needed</big>
** This should not be on pages of raw resources
* <big>Crafting instructions</big>

There are often several ways to make something, each way should be titled in Sub-heading 2. Instructions should be a numbered list wherever possible.

* <big>Use(s)</big>
* <big>Dependencies</big>
* <big>See also</big>
* <big>References</big>
* <big>External links</big>

Coal

2025-05-10T00:41:06Z

CarsonBoardman: Deleted superfluous section. Expanded on extraction and dangers. more methods of mining should be explained.

{{distinguish|Charcoal}}
[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg|thumb|250px|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]

'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.
[[File:Subbituminous.jpg|thumb|208x208px|A lump of subbituminous coal. ]]
Coal can be found in a few different forms, these being Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous and Lignite. The images on this article give some examples of their differing appearances.

Anthracite is the highest quality of coal, and is black, hard and quite glossy/shiny. It has a high carbon content, meaning it has a good heating value so it is the most desirable.

Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg|thumb|250x250px|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

== Extraction ==
Coal is extracted from mines. Several methods can be used to extract it, each with differing levels of complexity and danger.

Room and pillar mining is common, in which pillars of the coal seam are left to support earth above. This can help prevent collapse, but reduces yield due to the coal left in the pillar.

== Uses ==
Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

== Dangers ==

=== Mining ===
During coal mining, fine dust can be inhaled and cause chronic inflammation. [[Protective Gear|Respiratory protection]] should be worn.

=== Pollution ===
Coal has Sulfur impurities, which create smelly and toxic fumes that can mess with your local environment. Coal tar is full of various organic compounds such as benzene and aldehydes which are toxic and carcinogenic.

It also often has some heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, and Nickel. These are released into the air or concentrated in the Ash of coal during combustion. Therefore, it is extremely important to dispose of Coal Ash properly and not use it in your garden or let it contaminate water sources.

=== Self-combustion ===
While on small scales this isn't a risk, coal is able to self-ignite. When coal is stored or transported in bulk it is watered to reduce this danger.

== Dependencies ==

* [[Carbon]]
* [[Peat]]
** '''Coal'''
** [[File:Lignite.jpg|thumb|A pile of lignite coal. It has a noticeable brown tinge.]][[Fuel]]

== See also ==
* [[Raw material]]
* [[Coke(Fuel)]]
* [[Activated charcoal]]
* [[Carbon dioxide]]
*[[Charcoal]]
*[[Fire]]

== References ==
{{wa|Coal}}

[[Category:Fuel]]
[[Category:Hydrocarbons]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

User:CarsonBoardman

2025-05-09T16:10:43Z

CarsonBoardman: Created page with "== TODO: == * Thread instructions * Rope instructions"

== TODO: ==

* [[Thread]] instructions
* [[Rope]] instructions

Food preservation

2025-05-09T16:06:57Z

CarsonBoardman:

[[File:PreservedFood1.jpg|thumb|250px|Preserved food]]

'''Food preservation''' includes processes that make [[food]] more resistant to microorganism growth and slow the oxidation of fats. This slows down the decomposition and rancidification process. Food preservation may also include processes that inhibit visual deterioration, such as the enzymatic browning reaction in apples after they are cut during food preparation. By preserving food, food waste can be reduced, which is an important way to decrease production costs and increase the efficiency of food systems and improve food security and nutrition. Many processes designed to preserve food involve more than one food preservation method. Preserving fruit by turning it into jam, for example, involves boiling (to reduce the fruit's moisture content and to kill [[bacteria]]), sugaring (to prevent their re-growth) and sealing within an airtight jar (to prevent recontamination).

==Dependencies==
*[[Food]]
**'''Food preservation'''
***[[Canning]]
***[[Heat]]
***[[Refrigeration]]
***[[Sugar]]
***[[Salt]]
***[[Drying]]
***Pickling
***[[Water]]
***[[Fermentation]]
***Pemmican
***Solid soup

==See also==
*[[Bacteria]]
*[[Cooking]]
*[[Fungi]]
*[[Pot-in-pot refrigerator]]
*[[Water filter]]

==References==
{{wa|Food}}
{{wa|Human_food}}

[[Category:Food preservation]]
[[Category:Stubs]]
[[Category:Food and Health]]

Pottery

2025-05-09T16:03:53Z

CarsonBoardman: Created better synergy between ceramic and pottery articles

[[File:Mycenaean pottery, Kanellopoulos Museum, 225118.jpg|thumb|Mycenaean vases. Kanellopoulos Museum at Athens.]]'''Pottery''' is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with [[clay]] and other [[ceramic]] materials, which are fired at high temperatures (600–1600 °C) to give them a hard and durable form.

== Materials needed ==

* '''[[Clay]],''' or other pottery medium
* '''A [[kiln]]'''
* Optionally: a pottery wheel and [[ceramic glaze]]

== Crafting Instructions ==
Pottery can be created using many different methods. Here will be covered: Pinch, coil, and turned pottery. After the pottery is formed, the process is the same.

==== Pinch Pottery ====

# With a ball of clay or other pottery medium, gradually pinch and shape into desired form.

==== Coil Pottery ====

# Begin with a flat base of clay, serving as the bottom of the pottery.
# Roll a coil of clay and fuse it on top of the base, tracing the perimeter. Watered down clay, called slip, is used.
# subsequent coils are fused to the layer below, building a vessel to desired shape.
# Coils may be smoothed over to finalized its form.

==== Turned pottery ====
While turning pottery, it is important that hands are always kept wet to lubricate the clay.

# On a pottery wheel, secure a lump of clay.
# While the wheel turns and with wet hands, cone the clay up and down to eliminate air bubbles and align the molecules of clay.
# Form a well in the clay until the desired thickness of the base is achieved.
# Pull the clay outwards to turn the well into the flat base.
# The walls can gradually be pulled up, having care to ensure the clay runs concentric to the wheel.
# After the shape is achieved, excess water is removed from inside and out to prevent disintegration.
# Removed from the wheel to dry.
# Once the clay has dried to the point to leather-hardness (firm, and not sticky) it may be trimmed.

=== Firing to ceramic ===
Once pottery is formed, allow it to slowly dry out completely. Too rapid of drying may cause warping or cracking. The bone-dry pottery can now be bisque-fired at 850–1000°C (1560–1830°F) for about 8 to 14 hours depending on size and shape. The pottery will now be ceramic, but will be porous and may not hold water. The pottery can now be glazed and fired again at 1040–1100°C (1900–2010°F) for earthenware glaze or 1200–1300°C (2190–2370°F) for stoneware glaze for about 6 to 10 hours depending on size and shape.

== Uses ==
Pottery is widely used for cookware, storage, and tooling.

==Dependencies==

* [[Ceramic]]
* [[Clay]]
* [[Heat]]
** '''Pottery'''

== See also ==

* [[Kiln]]

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4byINrGMMN8 Clay pots suitable for preparing any food in the forest.] - Pre Technology, 26 February 2021, YouTube

{{wa|Pottery}}
[[Category:Crafts and techniques]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Stubs]]
[[Category:Ceramic]]

Ceramic

2025-05-09T16:03:08Z

CarsonBoardman: Created better synergy between ceramic and pottery articles

[[File:Jingdezhen ware dish with dragon design, Jiajing era, Tokyo National Museum.JPG|thumb|250px|Porcelain dish of the Ming Dynasty]]A '''ceramic''' is any of the various hard, brittle, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing an inorganic, nonmetallic material, such as [[clay]], at a high temperature. Common examples are earthenware, porcelain, and [[brick]].

The earliest ceramics made by humans were pottery objects (pots or vessels) or figurines made from clay, either by itself or mixed with other materials like silica, hardened and sintered in [[fire]]. Later, ceramics were glazed and fired to create smooth, colored surfaces, decreasing porosity through the use of glassy, amorphous ceramic coatings on top of the crystalline ceramic substrates. Ceramics now include domestic, industrial and building products, as well as a wide range of materials developed for use in advanced ceramic engineering, such as in semiconductors.

== Materials needed ==

* '''[[Clay]],''' or other ceramic medium
* '''A [[kiln]]'''
* Optionally: a pottery wheel and [[ceramic glaze]]

== Crafting instructions ==

# Work the clay to remove air bubbles and prepare the clay for shaping
# Form the clay into the desired shape. Wetter clay is easier to shape, but drier clay holds its a shape better.
# let the clay dry. This should be done slowly to avoid cracks
# Bisque firing: fire in a kiln of 850–1000°C (1560–1830°F) for about 8 to 14 hours depending on size and shape.
# Optional: Apply glaze once cooled
# Glaze firing: fire in a kiln of 1040–1100°C (1900–2010°F) for earthenware glaze or 1200–1300°C (2190–2370°F) for stoneware glaze for about 6 to 10 hours depending on size and shape.

== Uses ==
Due to the abundance of clay and ceramics ability to hold water, ceramics were widely used across cultures as cases, shingles, plant pots and more

== Dependencies ==

* [[Clay]]
** '''Ceramic'''
*** [[Pottery]]

== See also ==
<div style="column-count:2">
* [[Basket]]
* [[Ceramic glaze]]
* [[Ceramic water filter]]
* [[Concrete]]
* [[Fiberglass]]
* [[Glass]]
* [[Knife]]
* [[Manganese]]
* [[Paper]]
* [[Plastic]]
* [[Sugar]]
</div><div style="column-count:2">
*
</div>

== External links ==
* [https://www.memory-of-mankind.com/how-is-information-kept-legible-for-1-million-years/ How Is Information Kept Legible For 1 Million Years?] - Memory of Mankind

{{wa|Ceramic}}

[[Category:Ceramic]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Canning

2025-05-09T15:24:33Z

CarsonBoardman: Added the process for potted meat. I understand this may not be popular, but I believe it fits the definition of canning because it is food preservation using an airtight container. The instructions may need to be a numbered list though

[[File:Open conservenblik met sperziebonen PK-F-K.0109, PK-F-2007-0214.jpg|thumb|200px|Open can of green beans]]

'''Canning''' is a method of [[food preservation]] in which [[food]] is processed and sealed in an airtight container, including but not limited to jars and cans. Canning can provide a shelf life of one to five years, although under specific circumstances, it can be much longer. A freeze-dried canned product, such as canned dried lentils, could last as long as thirty years in an edible state. Canning can also be used to preserve foods over much shorter timescales, from several days to several weeks.

== Materials needed ==

=== For modern-style canning: ===
* '''[[Glass]],''' for mason jars
* Some kind of '''metal''' for a strong lid
* '''Rubber''' or '''[[Wax]]''' for sealing
* A '''large pot''' of or pressure canner
* A '''jar-lifter'''
* Clean '''towels'''

=== For Potted-style canning: ===

* Small clay pots, often portion-sized
* Solid fat, such as clarified butter or tallow
* Optionally, cloth to cover

== Crafting instructions ==
There are two main methods for modern canning; '''water bath canning''' (for high-acid foods) and '''pressure canning''' (for low-acid foods).

==== Water bath canning ====
# Sterilize jars by boiling or washing in hot, soapy water.
# Fill jars, leaving appropriate headspace (1/2" to 1")
# Wipe rims and apply lid
# Submerge jars in boiling water (must cover jars by 1–2 inches)
# Process jars for the time specified in a recipe (depends on altitude/food).
# Remove jars with a jar lifter, place on a towel, and let cool 12–24 hours.
# Check seals—press the center of the lid; it should not pop up.
# Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate any unsealed jars.

==== Pressure Canning ====
# Sterilize jars by boiling or washing in hot, soapy water.
# Fill jars, leaving appropriate headspace (1/2" to 1")
# Wipe rims, apply lid
# Place jars in the pressure canner with the recommended amount of water.
# Seal canner and vent steam for 10 minutes before applying pressure weight.
# Process at pressure (usually 10–15 PSI) for the time your recipe calls for.
# Let pressure drop naturally before opening.
# Remove jars, cool, check seals, and store.

=== Potted Canning ===
The food to be preserved, often fish or meat, is placed in the clay dish and fat is added. The pot is then baked in an oven until cooked. More fat is added to completely cover the food, and is baked again to [[Pasteurization|sterilize]]. When cool, the solid fat will create an airtight container that can last until the seal is broken or the fat becomes rancid. A cloth can be tied around the pot to delay spoilage.

== Dependencies ==

* [[Steel]]
* [[Glass]]
* [[Tin]]
** '''Canning'''
*** [[Food]]

== See also ==
* [[Food preservation]]
* [[Pot-in-pot refrigerator]]
* [[Refrigeration]]

== References ==
{{wa|Canning}}
== External links ==
* Andress, Elizabeth; Kuhn, Gerald. (1998rev.) "[https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/usda/review/earlyhis.htm II. Early History of USDA Home Canning Recommendations]". ''Critical Review of Home Preservation Literature and Current Research''. University of Georgia
* Andress, Elizabeth. (2014rev.) "[https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/usda/review/earlyhis.htm II. Using Boiling Water Canners]". ''Preserving Food: Using Boiling Water Canners''. Athens, GA: University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Absorption_refrigerator Absorption refrigerator]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

[[Category:Food preservation]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

Candle

2025-05-09T15:07:35Z

CarsonBoardman: /* Materials needed */

A '''candle''' is a tool for producing light consisting of a fibrous wick encased in beeswax, tallow, or paraffin wax.

== Materials needed ==

* '''A wick''' preferably of [[cotton]], but other materials such as [[hemp]] or [[linen]] may be used. [[Self Trimming Wick|Self trimming wicks]] were invented in the nineteenth century and are most common today.
* '''Wax or Tallow,''' for the body and fuel of the candle. A variety of waxes can be used, most usually paraffin for industrially made candles. Beeswax has long been used in higher end candles, burning cleanly and brightly, while soybean wax has become a common modern fuel that is renewable and available in large supplies. Tallow candles were very common and most affordable historically. These candles tended to produce more smoke or burn less intensely, as well as producing sometimes unpleasant odors, and being very soft to handle, especially in warm environments. In a pinch, most fats and oils will work for a crude candle or lamp, even crayons. Spermacetti candles were the highest end candles historically available, made from sperm whales and no longer produced.
* '''A mould,''' to shape the candle, or '''a bar,''' from which to hang the candles

== Crafting instructions ==
There are two main ways to make a candle: by pouring, or by dipping

=== Pouring the candles ===

# Coat the inside of your mold with a thin layer of oil
# Cut your wicks just over twice as long as your mold
# Your candle mold should consist of several pairs of tubes with small holes in the bottom. Use a wire to thread each end of your wick through adjacent holes and seal it with some clay.
# Tie the ends of the wick to sticks at the opening of the mold to keep them centered,
# Pour your wax in the mold. Once cool, remove candles.

=== Dipping the candles ===

# Tie your wicks to a stick
# Dip your wicks in wax just barely above its melting point
# Remove the wicks, allow this layer of wax to cool.
# Repeat the process until desired thickness
A candle may also be cast into a mold or vessel that will contain it still after solidifying, as with tea lights. This is especially useful when candles are made from left over fats from cooking (such as bacon grease) which remain very soft and messy to the touch when cool and solidified, and quickly melt down completely when lit.

== Uses ==
Candles were the main source of light after dark for much of human history, allowing for work to be done when previously it would be impossible to see.

A spermaceti candle built to specific dimensions was the original standard reference for the Candlepower unit.

== Dependencies ==

[[Category:Lighting]]
[[Category:Processed materials]]

Clay

2025-05-09T15:05:35Z

CarsonBoardman: Rewrote section to conform to encyclopedic language. Removed Natural Sources section because all relevant sources of clay are natural. Processing was moved to crafting instructions.

[[File:Clay-ss-2005.jpg|thumb|250px|Quaternary clay in Estonia]]

'''[[wikipedia:Clay | Clay]]''' is a type of fine-grained natural soil material. Clay is able to be worked into a desired shape when wet, and becomes hard and brittle when dried or fired, retaining its previous shape.

== Materials needed ==
Clay is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instructions ==
Clay can be found underground, sometimes quite close to the surface. It is more common near riverbanks. Quality of clay varies by location. Before use, clay should be washed of impurities like sand, stones, or silt.

Dirts that are high in clay but contain larger particles as well may be separated using a sedimentation pit. Create two pits, one of higher elevation. Put the raw dirt into the higher pit and wash it with water to suspend the clay particles, allowing the heavier sediment to sink to the bottom. Create a channel allowing the clay-rich water to flow into the lower pit, where it will settle out, similar to a river delta. Finer particles will be found further from the input channel. Once most water is gone, a thick slurry can be collected.

=== Processing ===
Raw clay is seldom ready to use. The addition of grog (previously fired clay dust) can increase strength and decrease shrinkage. The addition of starch can increase plasticity. To add starch, boil starch rich foods such as rice and potatoes to extract the starch. The water can then be added to dry clay to create a pottery medium. The addition of starch will create odors as the pottery dries due to decomposition.

== Uses ==

=== Ceramics ===

Clay can be shaped when wet and then fired to create clay [[Ceramic |ceramics]], including [[Brick |bricks]] which can be used for construction, and [[pottery]] which includes clay vessels, dishware, pipes, and other wares.

=== Construction ===

In addition to clay bricks, clay can be used directly in buildings, such as in the daub used in wattle and daub construction, or in the walls of a [[Bloomery Furnace]].

=== Projectiles ===
:''See also:'' [[Sling]] and [[Slingshot]]
Clay is an option as [[projectile]]s for ranged [[weapons]], including the [[sling]] and the [[slingshot]].<ref name="PT">"[https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/sling/ Sling]", primitivetechnology.wordpress.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved on 27 April 2022.</ref>

=== Writing ===

Clay tablets are the earliest known medium for writing, used in Sumeria and Greece as early as 3000 BCE. Symbols can be inscribed into wet clay using a stylus, and the clay can either be remolded to record a new set of symbols or fired to make the record more permanent.

== Dependencies ==

* '''Clay'''
** [[Brick]]
** [[Ceramic]]
** [[Sling]]
** [[Slingshot]]

== See also ==
* [[Brick]]
* [[Mud]]
* [[Sand]]
* [[Soils]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY Fired Clay Bricks] - Primitive Technology, 26 April 2019, YouTube
{{wa|Clay}}

[[Category:Soils]]

Talk:Clay

2025-05-09T14:57:32Z

CarsonBoardman: Created page with "Layout is confusing. I do not believe processing should be under the Natural Sources section. The crafting instructions should contain all information to have a ready to use clay"

Layout is confusing. I do not believe processing should be under the Natural Sources section. The crafting instructions should contain all information to have a ready to use clay

Clay

2025-05-09T14:56:06Z

CarsonBoardman: /* Crafting instructions */

[[File:Clay-ss-2005.jpg|thumb|250px|Quaternary clay in Estonia]]

'''[[wikipedia:Clay | Clay]]''' is a type of fine-grained natural soil material. Clay is able to be worked into a desired shape when wet, and becomes hard and brittle when dried or fired, retaining its previous shape.

== Materials needed ==
Clay is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instructions ==
Clay can be found underground, sometimes quite close to the surface. It is more common near riverbanks. Quality of clay varies by location. Before use, clay should be washed of impurities like sand, stones, or silt.

Dirts that are high in clay but contain larger particles as well may be separated using a sedimentation pit. Create two pits, one of higher elevation. Put the raw dirt into the higher pit and wash it with water to suspend the clay particles, allowing the heavier sediment to sink to the bottom. Create a channel allowing the clay-rich water to flow into the lower pit, where it will settle out, similar to a river delta. Finer particles will be found further from the input channel. Once most water is gone, a thick slurry can be collected.

== Uses ==

=== Ceramics ===

Clay can be shaped when wet and then fired to create clay [[Ceramic |ceramics]], including [[Brick |bricks]] which can be used for construction, and [[pottery]] which includes clay vessels, dishware, pipes, and other wares.

=== Construction ===

In addition to clay bricks, clay can be used directly in buildings, such as in the daub used in wattle and daub construction, or in the walls of a [[Bloomery Furnace]].

=== Projectiles ===
:''See also:'' [[Sling]] and [[Slingshot]]
Clay is an option as [[projectile]]s for ranged [[weapons]], including the [[sling]] and the [[slingshot]].<ref name="PT">"[https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/sling/ Sling]", primitivetechnology.wordpress.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved on 27 April 2022.</ref>

=== Writing ===

Clay tablets are the earliest known medium for writing, used in Sumeria and Greece as early as 3000 BCE. Symbols can be inscribed into wet clay using a stylus, and the clay can either be remolded to record a new set of symbols or fired to make the record more permanent.

== Natural sources ==

Clay can be gathered from riverbanks and dry riverbeds or lakebeds in almost any part of the world. Wet clay is slippery even if it is unprocessed, unlike other kinds of soil or sand. A sample of clay can be tested by wetting it to a workable consistency and seeing if it breaks when rolled out or coiled into shape. A good sample of clay will be easy to work and resistant to breaking.

===Processing===

Before using clay, impurities such as stones and plant matter should be removed. This can be done by picking the impurities out while the clay is dry, by sifting the clay through a sieve, or by filtering clay particles suspended in [[water]] by passing them through a cloth. If clay is intended to be used for ceramics, it can be tempered with sand or with ground up bits of broken previously fired ceramics. This will improve the chance that the clay fires successfully. You can also add starch to your clay mixture, obtained by boiling foods such as rice and potatoes. Once boiled for some time, the starchy water can be added to your clay mixture to make it more moldable allowing for more precise pottery. Keep in mind that after adding this to your clay it will likely start smelling horrible after a couple days as starch is an organic material and will be decomposed.

== Dependencies ==

* '''Clay'''
** [[Brick]]
** [[Ceramic]]
** [[Sling]]
** [[Slingshot]]

== See also ==
* [[Brick]]
* [[Mud]]
* [[Sand]]
* [[Soils]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY Fired Clay Bricks] - Primitive Technology, 26 April 2019, YouTube
{{wa|Clay}}

[[Category:Soils]]