PREP Repurposeing

[dstraito]

I put this under prep because recycling will be necessary once new goods can not be procured.

I am not the greatest eco or environ nut but if it can save money, I will repurpose just about anything.

I recently traded some services for a propane burner stand, a lawnmower body, and a automotive wheel hub. I welded a pipe to the bottom of the wheel hub, I welded the wheel hub to the lawnmower body. I cut a hole in the piple below the wheel hub and I put in another pipe at a 45 degree upward angle.

I then traded some welding for a blower and now I have a working forge that I have zero dollars into. I can put some 2x4 wood or wood from a pallet into the wheel hub, turn the blower on after I get the fire going and have a fire strong enough to heat up a railroad spike to orange color meaning it is hot enough to be mallable and to be able to shape into another functional design.

I can see a need in the future that such skillsets might be necessary. Say there was an EMP or just a loss of the electrical grid for whatever reason. I would have to replace the blower with a bellows, but I could manufacture necessary metal parts in trade for other goods or services. Besides that, it is fun to take a basic shape of a metal piece like a railroad spike and turn it into something cool like a knife or grill equipment.

I take found metal from people's trash and I make art creations with them. Not only does that save them from going to the dump or more likely, being picked up by one of many roving metal salvagers, I am turning something useless into a thing desired, a thing of art. It gives me great satisfaction to take something destined for the dump and make it into something that people desire.

Besides that, being unemployed it also provides an extra source of income as well as the feeling like I am accomplishing something useful.

I have learned to use a mig welder, basic black smithing skills, metal fabrication, polishing, grinding, and shaping. In my past I have learned wood working skills, plumbing, and electrical skills. that is probably a good thing since my 33 plus years in the computer industry would probably not mean anything if an EMP rendered computers useless.

Working with my hands is more satisfying anyway.

I liken my skills to being a metal whisperer. I look at an inert pile of metal and my imagination and creativity takes hold and I figure out, what does that metal want to be.

So far, I have gone through 15 100 foot spools of welding wire for about 1500 feet. I read on the internet somewhere that it takes about a mile of welding to get really proficient so I am continuing on so I can get better and better.

I'm going to try stainless steel and aluminum soon and learn more about that type of welding.

I want to buy a plasma cutter because the oxygen/acceltylene torch makes pretty rough cuts.

I have been unemployeed for four months. I haven't had a single interview. I am not sure why as my resume is stellar having worked for several major companies. Not one to wallow in unemployeed pity, I took my retirement and invested it in a franchise. I'm not going to let those corporate weanies dictate my life. It is sink or swim. I'll either be successful or not but if not, I'll go out swinging.

Granted, if not successful, I will probably be homeless but it will be on my terms and I am alright with that. If I chose not to invest, it would only extend by a couple of years the period of time before I was homeless anyway.

I love being creative and life is too short to not feel fulfilled and do what you want to do, or at least try to.

 

[duchess47]

I think you'll be successful with your attitude, you can't help but be. Aside from doing something you enjoy, you'll make money and improve your health.

 

[penumbra]

You can repurpose damn near everything, have fun! be creative, it's a step up from recycling for sure

 

[ainitfunny]

I "repurposed" the bottom of an old leather purse with the cords from old venetian blinds that I braided and made a couple of " David and Goliath" stone slings. I rubbed wild blackberries over the white cords to dye them so they wouldn't be so white.

How to use a stone sling: http://www.lloydianaspects.co.uk/weapons/sling.html

 

[dstraito]

I "repurposed" the bottom of an old leather purse with the cords from old venetian blinds that I braided and made a couple of " David and Goliath" stone slings. I rubbed wild blackberries over the white cords to dye them so they wouldn't be so white.

How to use a stone sling: http://www.lloydianaspects.co.uk/weapons/sling.html

cool. Can you use the sling pretty well? In the book Clan of the Cave Bear the main character was an expert with a sling, pretty good book.

 

[ainitfunny]

It is too potentially deadly to practice here in the suburbs. (It was used as a military weapon for hundreds of years) I need to get me someplace more remote to practice.
You can pour lead bullets for it too. Lead bullets are much more deadly and travel further than rocks. Of course, you would have to first get good with it before you waste/lose more expensive lead ammo. When the military used it, they poured LEAD BULLETS called "glandes" for the stone sling, shown here:
http://www.lloydianaspects.co.uk/weapons/sling.html

Facimile Roman sling bullets, or glandes. These are castings in lead made from actual glandes found on a military firing range in Northumberland. They are all type 1 stones. The larger weigh 74g (2.61oz) and the smaller weigh 39g (1.38oz). They are hard and dense, and one falling on your head from even a short distance would hurt a lot.
Names, symbols, and messages were often cast onto sling bullets. Sometimes the name of the maker was on the bullet, sometimes the owner's, or the owner's unit, sometimes his enemy. The messages are interesting. The Greeks especially went in for these. They said things like "Take that!" and "Megacles hit you". The messages could be quite up to the minute, since the bullets were often cast on campaign.

 

[Taz]

What an interesting thread. I wish I could have done some forge work in my life. Right now I am making glass bird feeders from stuff I buy for pennies at the thrift shop or yard sales. Plates, vases, cups, glasses, trays, etc. Not something needed as a prep, but fun and pretty. And I think we are going to desparately need some whimical and pretty things in our life in the future.

 

[dstraito]

What an interesting thread. I wish I could have done some forge work in my life. Right now I am making glass bird feeders from stuff I buy for pennies at the thrift shop or yard sales. Plates, vases, cups, glasses, trays, etc. Not something needed as a prep, but fun and pretty. And I think we are going to desparately need some whimical and pretty things in our life in the future.

I agree, we need more whimsical things and to create them from scrap or salvage is a bonus. I've created practical things like tables and rocket stoves but I also have created some creatures like swans and flamingos out of things like rebar, a pickaxe, and other misc metal pieces.

 

[Dosadi]

if one googles

Anatomy of a pack rat (title of the first chapter or
when autumn leaves fall by Andrew Zarowny

One will find a survivalist story available online free in html links that is about a fellow who repurposes stuff and how he makes it through a SHTF economic collapse.

much more DIY stuff and only a bit of gunplay. I found the story entertaining and lot of ideas about how the "junk man" and his repurposed stuff helped his community make it. (think windmills and other things useful after economic collapse.) and gardens and such.

 

[Yarnball]

What an interesting thread. I wish I could have done some forge work in my life. Right now I am making glass bird feeders from stuff I buy for pennies at the thrift shop or yard sales. Plates, vases, cups, glasses, trays, etc. Not something needed as a prep, but fun and pretty. And I think we are going to desparately need some whimical and pretty things in our life in the future.

Might you post pics of your creative whimsy?

 

[HuntingWolf]

if one googles

Anatomy of a pack rat (title of the first chapter or
when autumn leaves fall by Andrew Zarowny

One will find a survivalist story available online free in html links that is about a fellow who repurposes stuff and how he makes it through a SHTF economic collapse.

much more DIY stuff and only a bit of gunplay. I found the story entertaining and lot of ideas about how the "junk man" and his repurposed stuff helped his community make it. (think windmills and other things useful after economic collapse.) and gardens and such.

Kinda good story.

I live in the Thumb where the story takes place.

But I think the writer never did. People up here hate outsiders.

Ask me how I know.

 

[anna43]

I buy clothing at garage sales and thrift shops in as large a size as I can find and repurpose the fabric, buttons, zippers, trims etc. into new garments. Large linen table cloths become tea towels. A very large ladies nightgown became a crib sheet. Sheets become curtains.

Along with repurposing I think a very important skill set is learning to maintain, repair and reuse what we already own. Something as simple as wearing an apron can protect clothing. Right now clothing is inexpensive and readily available new and used, but shtf that will change.

 

[fuzzy]

dstraito, thanks for a very interesting thread! Living on a fairly remotely located farm forces re-purposing whenever possible. I always think of my old granny when this subject comes up. I heard "use it up, wear it out, make do or do without" so much back then.

I keep everything I can't make, strings from feed sacks, baling twine, anything metal, broken handles from rakes, hoes, shovels, etc. I'll re-use it all for something, if I live long enough!

 

[hope4mil]

Here is a really neat site that has ideas for simple repurposing things that we might need during survival times.
Hope

http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/diy-solar-powered-radio-or-other-aa-powered-devices-for-3/

DIY Solar Powered Radio (or other AA powered devices) For $3

| General Prepping, Self-Sufficiency | Leave comment

This great tutorial shows you how to adapt a 2/3 AA cell powered radio to be solar powered, by using the small solar panel from one of those cheap solar garden lights.

Sure, you can go out and purchase a new solar powered radio, but they cost a lot more, and this way you can convert an existing radio you have. If you also have an old solar garden light as well, this project will cost next to nothing to complete. Once completed you can put rechargeable AA batteries in your radio and they will be recharged by the solar panel when it is left in bright light.

I am not an expert, so someone please tell me if I am wrong, but I can’t see any reason why you couldn’t do the same thing with any 2/3 AA cell powered device. The principle would remain the same…

If you want to give it a go, head over to Got Wind and check out the tutorial.

http://gotwind.org/diy/DIY_Solar_Powered_Radio.htm#.UVRgk4X5hXo.blogger

 

[moldy]

We are using kiddy pools to hold our plants. Put water in the pool for easy watering.

 

[ainitfunny]

I cut up 100% COTTON denim, sweatshirts, and other sturdy fabrics to fit inside in layers in ALTOID AND OTHER SMALL, METAL TINS, which I have poked two small holes TO MAKE CHARCLOTH FOR STARTING SURVIVAL/emergency fires.

(You almost CANNOT BUY CHARCLOTH ANYWHERE to put into your BACKPACK,BOB, OR SURVIVAL or fishing KIT! )
All you do is put the tin,with cotton patches over ANY FIRE until smoke QUITS coming out the little holes in the tin.

Do not open to check, while hot or the oxygen will make the cloth burst into flame and turn to ashes instead of charcloth! When very cool put the soft, black, charcloth patches into ziplock bags for your kits! They weigh almost nothing and could save your life.
If i made a bunch of it i know i could SELL IT for from $2-$5 per ziplock bag and if i had a bunch, on EBAY or to a local hardware or spots store. So it is a way to pick up some small cash for teens and others who need a little extra money.

 

[dstraito]

A few of the things I made

Here are a few of the things I made.
rocket stove
Orc Sword
Railroad spike knife
Steak Brand

 

[Dosadi]

When making charcloth, if you light the gas coming out the hole, when it sputters out you know to pull it out of the fire.

 

[dstraito]

A couple more
Incense burner
Abstract
Bird
dodo bird
dragon fly

 

[ainitfunny]

If ."TSHTF" shipping food to long distance markets could stop for a while, if not permanently. ORANGES are not local to me, so I'm making sure that the wonderful flavor of CITRUS FRUIT (lemons too) will be in my cupboard long after they are "unavailable" fresh locally.

Instead of WASTING every orange I peel to eat or use, I wash the whole orange and use a sharp POTATO PEELER to remove ONLY THE OUTER ORANGE RIND, (none of the white stuff under the rind) A knife won't work well for that job.

Let the orange rind sit out on the counter or table to dry for a day or two, then add it to you ziplock collection of dried rinds. Add a folded paper towel to help keep dry and i add loose sugar to also discourage any mold from starting. YOUR SUPPLY GROWS RATHER QUICKLY if you are not lazy about peeling EVERY orange used.

A one inch piece of orange rind with one clove can turn a pot of ordinary tea into the expensive spice tea. The lemon/orange rind (zest) can be used to spark the flavor of everything from carrots to ham, to soups.

 

[ainitfunny]

When making charcloth, if you light the gas coming out the hole, when it sputters out you know to pull it out of the fire.

THANKS FOR THE TIP!

 

[ainitfunny]

I "repurpose" plastic 2 liter soda pop bottles into MINNOW TRAPS to collect FREE BAIT for fishing. Minnows are expensive to buy.
I'm on an ipad now, but will post photo from laptop in a little while.
I reinforced the bottle with duct tape to make a handle.

This one (only one handy) is made out of a big plastic snack jar:

 

[ainitfunny]

I "repurposed" one of those "exercise steps" TO LIFT UP the bedroom TV higher because it was difficult to see or change channels with it sitting on the dresser. MY FEET and the blankets kept getting in the way of changing channels.
There is now room for a cd player under the TV and step.

I also use an exercise step beside the bed because the new mattresses are SO THICK it made my bed level actually TOO HIGH TO GET INTO WITHOUT RAISING YOUR KNEE ABOVE YOUR WAIST! That is a real big problem for those with HIP ARTHRITIS! With the exercise step beside the bed, I can now just sit down on the bed to get in(it was too high to sit down upon before!

 

[ainitfunny]

I "repurpose" very very tightly shrunken 100% wool sweaters OR BLANKETS for a myriad of wonderful things!
This is called "felted" or " boiled wool" and is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO BUY.
Since such shrunken wool fabric WILL NOT UNRAVEL, you do not need to "hem" it.
You can just cut it into "hot pads" to set hot things on the table or counter.
Likewise, cut it into "potholders"!
TRACE YOUR FOOT and cut wool boot or shoe liners from shrunk wool to keep you feet MUCH warmer!

Cut the sleeve off a shrunk sweater to slip over your thermos to make it stay warmer, longer! Or slip over your coke can or bottle to keep cold longer.
Make a sweater cozy for your teapot to keep a pot of tea warm longer.
A tightly shrunk adult wool sweater with arms removed and neck sewn closed makes the "warmest wool blanket bag" that an infant could have.
Mittens made from tightly shrunken wool sweaters will keep hands warm even when wet!
"Boiled wool" VESTS are very expensive and desirable, and easy to make.!
THESE people are getting $132 for recycled shrunk sweaters made into vests! http://baabaazuzu.com/jackets-vests/vests

 

[Handyman]

I repourposed a "Farmhand Beet Topper" like in the picture into this back hoe for the tractor, had to add some hydralics for the back hoe,
but 90% of the steel came from the beet topper,

 

[ainitfunny]

Wow HANDYMAN, YOU WOULD BE MOST WELCOME in any group trying to survive POST SHTF!

 

[Seeker]

I agree, we need more whimsical things and to create them from scrap or salvage is a bonus. I've created practical things like tables and rocket stoves but I also have created some creatures like swans and flamingos out of things like rebar, a pickaxe, and other misc metal pieces.

Just came home from a BIG street/craft fair here. I bought a bird house - nothing more than a few scraps of pine, a tin roof, and hanger and perch made out of misc. hardware and metal scraps. Whimsey pays (for its creator)!

 

[dstraito]

Awesome Handyman

 

[dstraito]

Just came home from a BIG street/craft fair here. I bought a bird house - nothing more than a few scraps of pine, a tin roof, and hanger and perch made out of misc. hardware and metal scraps. Whimsey pays (for its creator)!

good idea. I do a collaboration with DW, I do the steel frame, she does the stained glass and we have a few bird houses.

 

[dstraito]

here is another couple

A flamingo
a grapevine panel
a mock machine gun

 

[dstraito]

Metal Mania sign
grapevine table
bottle tree

 

[GunGirl]

I sew a LOT... And due to the nature of my sewing, I throw away bags and bags of little scraps of 100% linen that are in pieces too little to use. I wish I had a place to make a fire pit to make char cloth. As it is, I just save a little here and there for patches for my muzzleloader.

 

[sssarawolf]

Wonderful things here and great talents.

Coming from a poorer family I tend to be uummm lets says a pack rat. DH has had a hard time with this and wants to tend to throw things away. I tell him don't you dare lol you never know when we will need or can use that.

The metal from our old caved in shed became the short sides for one side of the lean to built unto the garage, they were painted after and look great.
Pallets became the walls for the turkey house.
The strings off the bales of hay and straw come in useful all the time for things that need tied.
A bit of left over field fencing became the main part of a gate for the chicken yard.
Heavy metal off of a building became the sides of the chicken coop covering the wood for extra protection as we have such harsh winters.
Extra boards became shelves.

And on an on it goes .

 

[Handyman]

This wood shed is made from 95% used materials that I got from cleaning up a neighbors old barn, that they were going to burn,

the only new were the posts, the shingles and the metal trim on the fascia,