Posted on 09/29/2012 5:08:42 PM PDT by outofsalt
I have been pondering emergency preparations for some time and enjoy the prepper threads from which I've learned a lot and have applied much. I was trying to find some good articles on essential tools for "a really bad day" scenario or, TEOTWAWKI. Many articles include things like cash and shelter and first aid. Even post it notes and looms have made some lists. I am looking for ideas for hand operated essentials and have my own list...Please help flesh out these ideas.
A friend got a goat to clear his land. He figgured he would eat it at some point then, his girlfriend named it...
He tied it to the barn but it knocked the barn over.
He broke up with the girl.
A hand pump sure. But what if you do not have one. Learn how to make a skinny water bucket from pvc pipe and inner tube material. Or a one way valve and a pvc pipe and a bicycle.
The thing is you cannot remember everything so research all you can now, print it out, get reference books from 1900 so that you can improvise when there is no Lowes.
Going to grow food after TEOTWAWKI? How much water do you need and where are you going to get it. Really, a trickle system might use 1/2 inch a week. Times an acre is almost 60,000 gallons a month less rain that arrives at the right time. Surface watering would be about 120,000 gallons per month, more in sandy soils. How do you get that water to where you need it without electricity or fuel?
These things need to be figured out now, before TEOTWAWKI.
People who live in rural areas probably already have the tools they will need.
Something from a bygone era is lighterd stumps. I can remember when everyone had one and would just go out in the yard and chop a few splinters of “fat lighterd” to start a fire. I think some people say the proper name is “light wood” but I have never heard anyone say that.
It works better than any commercial fire starter I have seen.
bkmk
I got an old Gerber multi-tool. It doesn’t have the locks on the tools in the handle. I sent it into Gerber to see if they could retrofit it with the locks. They sent me a brand new one along with my old one back. Will never buy anything but a Gerber from now on.
Explosives?
http://biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/
Improvisation is essential AFBS but having some things readily at hand will get one started. Given some basics I could fashion a plow. Pipe stock would be great to have on hand or hoses at least. Even McGyver needed some hand toolsto work his magic.
I like it! I want one!
Hammer, anvil, forge, bellows, various chisels.
http://flojak.com/content-items/flojak-videos
I'm putting extra "tin foil" away.....and wax paper and lots of zip lock bags, especially the larger ones....
I once read about a family who lived in a house for two years without knowing there was a basement. The previous owner had a water problem and cemented off the basement stairs and outside well windows. I thought that if these people could not discover the basement in 2 years what chance would marauders have of discovering it in 15 minutes.
As a builder I design and sell homes that are poured concrete in insulated foam (ICF). With secret access, a well in the basement, combination air and secondary exit. We use buried propane tanks for cooking fuel and a buried oil tank for heating. Wood stove later. There is no evidence anywhere that the basement exists. The upstairs is also 8” concrete and 100% fireproof floors, furniture, metal cabinets, etc. We use completely separate systems for the basement and the house above.
Anyone approaching the house sees some broken windows (stored in basement) and debri. A desolate house and a bottle of skunk scent on a toy stuffed animal in the corner of the pantry will make invaders stay very short.
Until law and order of some type returns, the occupants live very comfortably and only come out at night if they wish. Crops and evidence of occupancy won’t appear until law and order does. Most have a three to five year food supply for them and relatives. The homes are planned in a central location of relatives who will be invited and not more than 50 miles away from the primary occupants residence to allow for having to walk or ride a bike.
There are far more “Undiscoverable” retreats around than you know. All of my trades people are from way out of town and the buyers are thoroughly schooled on secrecy. One viewing the the Twilight Zone “The Shelter” is all it takes.
Good luck.
WAY Cool! So many things out of my price range...
DIY kit?
I have these tools - got them at Amazon:
Columbia River Knife And Tool’s Eat N Tool 9100Kc Black Oxide Multi Tool $5.25
G.I. Type P-51 Can Opener - 10 Pack
Sold by Survivalist USA $4.82
Swiss+Tech UKCSB-1 Utili-Key 6-in-1
Keychain Multi-Tool $8.26
Also have this one:
Gerber 22-01769 Shard Keychain Tool
Tools & Home Improvement; $7.83
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