Miscellaneous items for TSHTF

[DreadPirate]

OK friends. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread dedicated to miscellaneous items that we all might forget and wish we had. If we all brainstorm then we should all be covered.

I I had an idea at Lowe's this AM. It came to me after reading a post from the old TOL site That stuck in my brain (TMI stuck in there and leaks out at the oddest of times). Anyway......We got a foot valve for a well pump in 3/4 inch PVC, 2 screw connectors and a 10 pack of connectors. Now if it ever goes down I put the valve on the end of 3/4 pipe (that I already have on hand) and use it as a hand pump to get water out of our well.

[momof23goats]

I think clothes line, check your wood splitter, if you have one, and your axes, might need to pick up some extra handles, Plenty of extra seeds, a good hammer. and a hand saw. get parts for your chain saw, and plenty of extra chains.learn how to sharpen your own chains.an extra battery or two for your tractor or truck.extra tires.these things seem common place now , but might not , be in the near future.

[moon&stars]

Bicycle tire patch kit and tire pump. Hand cart or kids' wagon for toting water jugs. Nails and screws for boarding up windows.

[Navajo]

Rechargeable AA, AAA, C , D, NIMH batteries.

A charger that can be used in your car which you can then also use a small solar panel with.

LED headlamps and LED flashlights.


handguns with reloading equipment.


Stones for sharping knives ( Find these cheap at yard sales)

Extra handles for you shovel, axa, hoe, etc.

Large files to use and make a skinning knife for when you have to make your own buckskin clothing.

Picture hanging wires for snares.

Extra electrical componets for your car, rotor, distrubutor cap, spark plug wires, belts, tires, ignition coil, condensor. ( This is for your old SHTF jeep. 1954)

[DreadPirate]

Oh ya! All very good.
Extra fishing line, bobers, weights....etc.
A single blade plow.

[momof23goats]

probably better make that a push plow, unless, you have a team or two.

[Navajo]

Been buying ahead and next size up for the kids.
Under wear, socks, jeans, shoes, winter jackets, etc. This we store in plastic bins. Bins are added to when we buy things at yard sales. Bins are also stored next to the other Bug out bins which have all our camping gear.

Fabric from yard sales and sewing store sales. Different types which the girls make dresses and practice sewing with their mother. Even my son is learning how to sew on a button and sew a patch on his jeans.

Extra fabric material, we even found 20 foot lon pieces of jean material.

sewing machine and machine parts. Need to find a treadle (sp) machine if the electricity goes out.

[pogonip]

Bales of reading glasses from the dollar store, in all strengths. Big ol' magnifying glasses, too. And sunglasses. And safety glasses. Dunno about you, but I'm down to my last two eyeballs.

Work gloves, in all sizes. Hard hats, cheap at Goodwill. Rain gear. Tyvek--score roll ends from construction sites. Handy for all kinds of things. Razor blades. Lots of good scissors. Rubber boots. Every kind of adhesive you can lay your paws on. Lots of comfy slippers and rubber zories ("flip flops"). Staple guns and staples.

[DreadPirate]

probably better make that a push plow, unless, you have a team or two.
Thats what kids are for.:mrgreen: Sorry forgot to specify

Silicon caulk and caulk guns.
Rolls of plastic and duct tape for shelter.

[Lardel]

Definitely a clothesline and lots of clothspins!!
NON-electric tools for outside and the kitchen.
Items to start fires with.

[Jbuck]

We picked up some medical equipment at the budget center, crutches, a walker and an oxygen bottle cart. The walker would come in handy if someone were to suffer sprained ankle same with the crutches. A friend's father passed away and she gave us 3 oxygen tanks, two small and one medium along with tubing and mask. Be sure you know how to use and monitor oxygen before you use it though and when you should use it. Our daughter has helped us in that department. Several rolls of ace bandages are also necessary for bruised ribs and twisted or sprained ankles or wrist.
Think of what you might need if you had to go to a doctor and none were around.

Jbuck

[danoon]

All good suggestions. A roll of heavy duty duct tape goes a long way as does paracord.
I bought a rechargable [4 D-cell] fan the other day, it gets really hot and humid here in the summer. I have a couple strands of LED Christmas lights that work well with the deep cycle battery. I have too many LED flashlights to actually use but in the process I found the perfect one, the Olight T20 Tactical Special Edition, the brightest setting is 220 lm.

http://www.olightworld.com/proi/cn/product_detail.asp?productid=431

[SheWoff]

Nails of all sizes
Galvanized deck screws (both sizes)
Hand tools (both regular and metric on the wrenches)
Hand garden tools including a seeder and fertilizer spreader

Duck tape (ever see any man have enough of this asks DH)

Clothes line (I like the rubber coated wire ones they have at Tractor supply)
Clothes pins, clothes pins!
Wash board
#10 tub (got the rubbery one, but would rather have the metal one!)

Newspapers- Save them! We use those to start fires with in the woodstove and outside. May need to crinkle some up for TP too. :shock:

plumbing fixtures- get a good mixture in the size you use at your house.

extra schedule 40 pipe - stay away from Quest...breaks down within 10 years under good conditions.

couple of extra large tubs for outside work - I use mine for corn shelling, purple hull pea shelling, washing dogs, etc...

Shoes and boots - I got a pair in a smaller size than what I wear now. Being as we will probably be doing a lot of work outside, expect to loose weight...yep even in your feet if you are like me. :razz:

Needles, pins, thread

Now here's one we got that I just love! A turkey frier! It has a tall stand and uses propane. DH rigged it up to run off of a 50 gallon tank. I can use my pressure canner on it! Outside! Then if the propane runs out, you can unscrew the burner off of it and just put the stand up on some blocks over a fire and still use it to hold your canner!

She

[dreadstalker]

Several pairs of leather work gloves. At least 3 pair for every member of your family.

[AngelDance]

sling blades
bush knives
machetes
files and stones for sharpening
cotton twine, different thicknesses
rapelling or parachute rope
spools of wire, different gauges
pulleys
single and double trees (excellent for hanging carcasses for cleaning and skinning)
axes, mauls, wedges, froe, 2 man saw extra handles
rubber mallets, hammers (ball peen, claw, etc)
hand drill and bits
lathe and planers
scrap lumber
replacement glass cut o size for windows
duct tape
rubber bands
work gloves
leather
awl
lag bolts
screws (sheet metal, regular etc)
nuts and bolts (hexhead, locking, wing, box)
pliers
tin snips
nails
bolt cutters
eye bolts
lag bolts
machine oil
wd40
hardware cloth
tape measures
chains
padlocks
scrap sheet metal and tin
polyurethane sheeting
t posts and driver
push plow
screen


thread
needles (all kinds and sizes)
pins, straight and safety
fabric (lengths and scraps for sewing and patching)
quilt batting
yarn
string
treadle sewing machine
wringer
washtubs
washboard
clothespins, extra clothesline
knitting needles, crochet hooks
rags

paraffin
strike anywhere matches
lighters
newspapers
saved dryer lint (makes great tinder)
oil lamps
lamp oil
aluminum pie plates (a hole cut in the center and placed over the chimney of an oil lamp
directs/reflects the light downward onto work surface)
flour sack towels
muslin or cheese cloth


55 gal food safe barrels (can get these for free at a soda bottling co)
extra fishing gear: line, hooks, sinkers, bobbers etc)
mirrors on the walls with shelves underneath for your oil lamps

hat is all the damage I can do for now. Just ask yourself anytime you do anything: how would I do this without gas/electric etc?

Angel

[Homesteader1]

Books on HOW TO: because not everyone knows or has first hand knowledge of how to build, run, make or fix everything.

A good barter circle, ours includes mechanical friends, ranchers, farmers, nurses, firefighters/ EMT's, etc.... Not that one person needs to know everything or be a master of all, simply find someone with such skills and build a barter relationship. We trade my Dh's hydraulic mechanic skills, labor( from all of us), my cooking and baking skills, homeopathic animal and human care skills etc......

I'd like to add snake bite kits, allergic reaction kit, even a surgical kit, bone splint, etc..... I know it's gruesome to think about but better to have those items and not need them, than to need and not have.

[danoon]

Something i've been thinking of getting is a good bicycle with a large basket or a pull behind wagon. If there was anything at the local store I get more if I didn't have to walk back home with it.

[DocOutlands]

Did I miss someone mentioning boot-laces?

[just me]

Rolls of twine (the plastic baling kind works great) and rolls of wire (#14 and a lighter one). It is amazing how many things we fix around here with that stuff.

First aid. The Army medic handbook is great for how to handle accidents. Bandaids, gauze pads, telfa pads (good for burns), tape, triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortizone cream, antifungal cream, iodine, peroxide, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly. There is more, but that is all I can think of at the moment.

[Caplock50]

I'll second AngelDance and Homesteader's posts. Folks, you can do without a whole lot of those things you say to stock up on if you have the tools and the 'know-how' to make them yourselves. Buttons can be whittled out of bones...if you have a knife small enough to 'handle' the chore...as an example. You can make plowshears out of scrap metal...if you have the tools. Heck, I just bought a dinky little push plow, and I'm going to use it as a pattern to build a bigger and better one...and I'll be using scrap iron I've 'dug up' out in my 'back 40'. See what I mean? Tools and knowledge...ranks right up there as the ultimate preps as does God and prayer...er, just under God and prayer...not equal to them. JMHO.

[PanAceaNJC]

saved dryer lint (makes great tinder)
and
aluminum pie plates (a hole cut in the center and placed over the chimney of an oil lamp
directs/reflects the light downward onto work surface)

Angel

Thanx Angel! Two more excellent ideas I definitely will make note of!!! 8)

[unzenful]

Razors, cause ifin ya need to sew yourself up i believe ya got to be smooth.

[KuernoDeChivo]

Electricity-free entertainment

I've mentioned this before but if you have kids make sure you have games, maybe some playing cards.

I found out during the last prolonged blackout that you should have extra guitar strings or banjo or whatever it is you play.

I have a feeling it you won't be able to find musical instrument strings or reeds if things really go south. If you play the Harmonica get a couple extra.

Plus you can always make a good snare out of a guitar string. :lol:

Do fish-hooks fall under entertainment....? ;-)

[Dahlia]

Make sure you get a copy of your mortgage deed for your home/property from the county you live in to put in your lock-box with important papers. If home is destroyed by a natural disaster, this is actual, legal proof of ownership, not a property tax statement. There were farms flooded in our state last year, and many people could not get any help because they had nothing to prove their ownership of the land. You can call your county property tax line, and request a copy, usually for a small fee. It's just another little detail I guess, that could really save problems in the end, if for some reason the county in your area could not in a timely manner, help find people's property records. Hope this helps as a kind of prep topic...

[north runner]

Make sure you get a copy of your mortgage deed for your home/property from the county you live in to put in your lock-box with important papers. If home is destroyed by a natural disaster, this is actual, legal proof of ownership, not a property tax statement. There were farms flooded in our state last year, and many people could not get any help because they had nothing to prove their ownership of the land. You can call your county property tax line, and request a copy, usually for a small fee. It's just another little detail I guess, that could really save problems in the end, if for some reason the county in your area could not in a timely manner, help find people's property records. Hope this helps as a kind of prep topic...

Survey is better but you should have both. I know for a fact the county records dept. can't be trusted. I've seen them misplace deeds etc. Keep them safe and have multiple copies.

[north runner]

The ultimate little to box in a small package.... The Swiss Champ XAVT

[ELBUFO]

Man are you guy's in trouble. Not a single mention of feminine hygiene products. My old lady has a two year stash. Brother let me tell you I am glad I thought of that one.

The book "Making The Best Of Basics" by James Talmatage Stevens Has some good lists of stuff and shelf lives etc...Check it out...John

[blackfeather]

I ran across this new led lamp that will
replace most bannet lamps.
It fits most D and C cell flashlights and gives
you up to 10 times the battery life. Anything
from 2 to 6 cells.

You can find them in the flashlight section of
Wallyworld. They cost about 7 or 8 dollars.

I have used them and they work great.

blackfeather

[momof23goats]

window screening
extra glass, or wood. or all of it.

[ohgoodgrief]

Extra glasses, even if you can't afford a spare pair, you might be able to scrounge up some generic glasses that will work for "old eyes" I tried tying fishing line today without mine...swore a lot!

[north runner]

Police scanner. Some places you won't get much, others it'll be the wild west on a saturday night.

[Desertrat]

Glad to see needles were finally mentioned. :) A fair number of spools of thread, and since they're cheap, buy more than you think you might need.

Folks mention fire-starting stuff, but for sure lighter flints are a serious must for a couple of old Zippos. You can dip a Zippo "innard" into a pan of gasoline or kerosene and it's easily refilled that way.

'Rat

[Falls_Tech]

For copper water lines. Keep pieces of 'car hose line' on hand and a bunch of hose clamps. In an emergency you can pretty much stop a small leak with those two items. I know from experience....

[Belle]

You can also use copper tubing and clamps with your pressure canner (or cooker) to make a water distiller.

[momof23goats]

yes belle, that is a good one.

[Dahlia]

ELBUFO,
No kidding, I forgot about that! Who wants the homemade ones? Totally hoping to not deal in that situation.. yukko...femproducts a must....now that you mention it--thanks..I think! LOL

[ouchstop]

Ok, here's a new one. Mechanical lawn mower. Sounds extravagant? Who cares about the lawn after the SHTF? Think again.
If an EOTWAWKI event takes place you'll be spending most of your time in your garden plots, berry bushes, fruit trees etc.
Here in Missouri if you don't mow the grass will get waist high. The chiggers alone will eat you alive as you try to get to the garden plots, not to mention the ticks, spiders, snakes etc.
The mowed grass can be raked up and used as mulch and fertilizer in your garden plots.

[Belle]

Or just get a sling blade. The cut grass can be fed to animals, too.

[AnnieOakley]

Police scanner. Some places you won't get much, others it'll be the wild west on a saturday night.




Bought two, one is a hand held. They are pretty active where I live. It's nice being on the other side of the fence now....a spectator instead of a player.

[blue gecko]

This is as good of a place as any to post my first post here. Hello All!
Some of these are in addition to other suggestion so I've tried not to repeat too much:

Extra Canning supplies: lids, jars, gaskets for your canner
Salt and food grade tubs for storing salted meat
Food preservation books (this is a good hobby to get into)
Smoke house or at the very least plans to build one (another good hobby)
Gambrel for hanging and skinning game
Gutting/skinning knives and bone saws
propane cook stoves and extra propane (I use mine for canning in the summer)
Food grade gauze or cotton muslin
Vinegar
Generator and the proper connections for heavy duty power cords to run your freezer enough to keep your food frozen until you can preserve it in another way (2 hours every third day will do it)
Heavy Duty Power cords/ Plug for your generator that has a separate breaker box and outlets for power cords. If you want to back charge your house you'll need an electrician to help you establish the isolation proceedure.
Gas with staybil to preserve it.
Motor oil/2 stroke oil
Graphite
Machete/scythe
splitting wedges/hatchet/loppers/pruning saws
Sledge hammers small and large
Bolt cutters/tin snips/wire cutters
Burn barrels
Foodgrade metal barrels (for rendering/scalding etc)
Camping supplies, camp cooking supplies
charcoal and lighting techniques (fluid or charcoal/paper chimney)
Wire brushes and scrubbing equipment
soap/soapmaking supplies

[jazzy]

back ups-

extra med kits
extra shoes
extra fire starters and ways to cook
extra cold weather clothes, broke in boots
extra knives and sharpeners
extra whatevers as in

do you have 2 ways to heat your home in the winter
do you have 2-3 ways to filter water
do you have 2-3 ways to start a fire and have tried doing it
do you have 2-3 ways to cook and/or bake and have tried it out
do you have more than one way to get out of dodge
do you have extra maps, flashlights, radios, antennas
do you have smaller clothes or sewing gear as you will probably lose weight
do you have extra glasses, antibiotics, denture repair, hearing aid batteries
do you have garden tools, how to books, animal husbandry books
solar books, gardening books, medical books,
do you can and dry your food now

a plan B in case plan A fails, then a plan C in case B dont work

back ups, i love back ups

and i love posts like this to remind me what i havent done yet or dont have back ups for.........:smile:

welcome blue gecko, unzenful and docoutlands........

[dreadstalker]

a plan B in case plan A fails, then a plan C in case B dont work

back ups, i love back ups



sounds like me. Backups for the backups.

[BeWell]

A few things I have on hand:

lots of toothbrushes
many packs of dental floss
powdered clay for making toothpowder, and first aid - esp burns
at least 150 washcloths
many extra cheapie bath towels (thin and dry easy)
DH has many extra files for sharpeners, many extra hand tools, just got about 5 hand saws
about 200 bars of soap that can double to wash hair
15 bottles dish detergent
at least 12 gallons white vinegar
enough laundry detergent, baking soda and borax to do laundry and house cleaning for 4 yrs
50 # sea salt
25# "real" salt
as many canning jars as I can get my hands on
3 or 4 doz prs good wool socks from Major Surplus
4 doz "Buster brown" cotton socks
Many extra cotton sheets from thrift stores - many uses
Medical books from thrift stores, esp old ones from the 40s era
Large amounts of and kinds of essential oils and herbs
High test grain alcohol for making tinctures
Every glass bottle/jar is washed, dried, and saved in boxes with lids
End rolls of newsprint from the local newspaper - great cheap paper for kids' projects, notes, diagrams etc
Refillable fountain pens and ink

[ColdWater]

A few things I have on hand:

lots of toothbrushes
many packs of dental floss
powdered clay for making toothpowder, and first aid - esp burns
at least 150 washcloths
many extra cheapie bath towels (thin and dry easy)
DH has many extra files for sharpeners, many extra hand tools, just got about 5 hand saws
about 200 bars of soap that can double to wash hair
15 bottles dish detergent
at least 12 gallons white vinegar
enough laundry detergent, baking soda and borax to do laundry and house cleaning for 4 yrs
50 # sea salt
25# "real" salt
as many canning jars as I can get my hands on
3 or 4 doz prs good wool socks from Major Surplus
4 doz "Buster brown" cotton socks
Many extra cotton sheets from thrift stores - many uses
Medical books from thrift stores, esp old ones from the 40s era
Large amounts of and kinds of essential oils and herbs
High test grain alcohol for making tinctures
Every glass bottle/jar is washed, dried, and saved in boxes with lids
End rolls of newsprint from the local newspaper - great cheap paper for kids' projects, notes, diagrams etc
Refillable fountain pens and ink

Please explain what this is where to find also, thanks.

powdered clay for making toothpowder, and first aid - esp burns

[BeWell]

I buy medicinal grade (ie - just plain powdered clay, not industrial grade that might have other additivies in it) from Starwest Botanicals for about $6 a pound, I have another place that is on my old hard drive and I need to get it copied onto my new computer. You can try searching google for other outlets; Frontier is another place. $6 is the wholesale price.

Green or gray clay, Bentonite work well. Kaolin does not work well. I make a mix of roughly 4 parts powdered clay, one part baking soda, one part fine salt, with essential oils like peppermint, wintergreen or cinnamon for flavor and anti-bacterial properties, as well as some powdered herbs for the same purpose. I have exact recipes and I will try to remember to post them tomorrow. I use it exclusively as I hate toothpaste - too strong flavored, too sweet and gooey. This stuff is cheaper and works better. I whisk everything together in a bowl and put through a fine stainless steel strainer a few times, put in jars, and that's it.

For burns, cuts and scrapes I keep a ceramic or glass jar with moistened clay in it, you put the dry clay in the bowl, add water about 1 inch above the clay without stirring, put a lid (like a plate) on top, and the next day it will be like clay pudding, add more water if needed. Don't stir it. It can be applied to boils, infections, pimples, and it is the best thing in the world for burns. I've healed a very bad burn overnight with clay and lavender oil. The best book I know that tells many ways to use clay is "Our Earth Our Cure".

[Sarg Preston]

A must have ,,that I found invalueable ,,is the nylon and plastic back support vest that came from Simpson Sears ,, a craftsman unit ,,velcrow adjustable waistband and shoulder straps ,,perfect under that stuffed Alice pac ,, We may not all be in the trim of health when the bugout springs the surprize ,, This will buy you a few extra miles in comfort ,,while saving the back for the unpleasant things awaiting,, Secondly it low profiles large frame auto,s and keeps em secure on the run ,,

[teadrinker]

We just bought a camp stove that we plan on using for canning outside this summer, thanks to a few folks posting about this in the kitchen forum. I didn't even know there was such a thing.

Also since we have a couple of steers, we are going to get a solor elec. box for the elec. fencing around our steer shed to make sure they stay put.

And dread pirate I sure wish we knew how to set up that pump thing you wrote about in the first post. That is something we would absolutely need.

Great ideas posted here....a very nice way to check to see what you might need against what you already have.

teadrinker

[Falls_Tech]

I started wearing lightweight hiking boots all the time several years ago, with off the shelf arch support. Once you get used to them you'll never go back to shoes. The protection is awsome.

I bought a new pair of Hi-Tec Altitude IV's and wore them around for a couple of days, checking for tight spots that may need stretched. No break-in required. Comfortable from the minute you put them on. They went back in the box for future use.

[Caplock50]

Buttons! And as many as you can and in as many different sizes as possible. Nothing much worse than not being able to keep your coat closed when the winter winds are blowing.

Files, again in as big assortment as possible. Metals are going to need to be worked and with no electrical equipment working, files is how it'll get done.

Remember those big old sandstone grinding wheels of old? Well here's how you can make your own... Just dig a form into the ground and use regular cement to fill it with...except add a couple of extra scoops of sand to it...and leave out the rocks and/or gravel. Oh, and don't forget to put a square block in the center for the 'axel' hole.

[momof23goats]

your right on that Cappy. and that grinder can be used for many things.

[Micah68]

This is more humorous, rather than a true necessity - I think...

We were making a list of preps we need to top off and my daughter piped up and said:

Sticky notes! Mom can't live without her sticky notes. She'd never remember anything.

So there you have it........sticky notes are a necessity of life.:smile:

[Tweety]

micah : All I can say is --OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABE'S. LOL LOVED IT.

[BeWell]

Just in case - I bought two fountain pens that suck the ink up rather than cartridges... I couldn't live without writing stuff!

Also keep buying packs of pads of paper (price going up - whooeee!) and from the local newspaper one end roll of newsprint, friends with kids got two. Only a few bucks for hundreds of yards of paper. I figured I can cut it to size and put it on clip boards.

[ssonb]

Pig Puddy... it is a type of epoxy that you can use to seal leaks in gas tanks and cans even while they are leaking. works on with all hydrocarbon liquids keresone,gasoline,lamp oil,desiel,ect........

[LittleJohn]

Don't forget...

ZIP TIES!!!!

They're fantastic, cheap, and come in a variety of sizes.

They're ALMOST are as useful as duct tape...


LittleJohn

[BeWell]

DH would never be without JB Weld and Liquid Nails.

[Jbuck]

Great bunch of listings some really jogged my memory.
DW order a 75' roll of wicking for kerosene lamps, we have several along with about 25 gallons of kerosene. It was cheaper than some of the 12 packs at the survival stores.
Bar Stop for radiators. Works great.
Super glue. Used it for a cut one time, about the same thing the doctors use.
Hand drill braces for when there is no power.
Vodka for making tinctures. Cheapest works well.
Medicinal herbs. I think the sale will be banned or controlled soon. Store them in a constant temperature if possible. We use an old frig. Keeps them dry, insect proof and temperature is fairly constant even unplugged.
Self sticking horse leg wraps for bandages. Will not pull off skin.
Sanitary napkins for wound dressing.
Self striking matches
Zippo lighters or clones. You can use gasoline and I have even used jet fuel (stinks though).
Bird shot shells for rifle or pistol. Makes less noise than shot gun.
Any medical equipment such as splints, crutches, walkers you can find at a thrift store
Any size plastic containers for storage- rodent proof and dry. Also good for ammo as they do not "sweat"

JBuck

[Caplock50]

Folks, learn to make these things, and collect the tools to do it with. The tools will take up a heck of a lot less room than trying to stock the items themselves. And the knowledge and skill will insure your survival within a community afterwards.Imagine, we're down to a situation where black powder weapons are all we have left...and you are the only one who knows how to make the gunpowder. Is your community going to risk losing you by letting you go out hunting? Yeah, I know many of you don't see us getting kicked that far back, so, for you folks, just look at it as an extreme scenario to illustrate a point.

[ColdWater]

Folks, learn to make these things, and collect the tools to do it with. The tools will take up a heck of a lot less room than trying to stock the items themselves. And the knowledge and skill will insure your survival within a community afterwards.


Cappy, I like the way you think. I have for all my life worked with tools, in fact I have so many tools that someone posted a questions if I have a whatchamacallit. I do in fact I have three of them there things and I can use them too.

If you would like to post some specific tools that are a must have I would love to state a list.

Here are my takes on must have tools:

A Ball-peen hammer. Used for taking apart and helping to put together parts. The Ball-peen end is for making gaskets. Place gasket material over the area needing a gasket and tap on the edge of the surface with the ball-peen and it will cut the gasket material to fit.

Open End tubbing wrenches. Don't know what they are? look them up in Sears/Craftsman tool cat.

CRC 5-56 penetrating oil spray. Went to 3 auto parts houses and no one has any. Has this been discontinued? Anyone know?

[Belle]

CRC 5-56 penetrating oil spray. Went to 3 auto parts houses and no one has any. Has this been discontinued? Anyone know?
We couldn't fine any, either, but we got some from BIL who works as a truck mechanic, so I know they still make it.

And I know what a tubing wrench is, too. :wink:

[ssonb]

I have found CRC at CarQuestin our AO Georgia(USA) I now use BG product called In Force

[Rhodie]

Don't forget about having books to read, this will become a nightly have too. As one person reads to the others, everyone can take a trip and never leave the homestead. A chapter or two at night will help to ease the worry and relax the kids too.
Any book is good but the classics are the best.

Also if you can get a copy of 'Back to Basics' from Readers Digest, don't know if it's still in print but it is one of the best how to books I have ever read. I also made my list of things to have almost completely from it.


I smile every day, it’s easy because I know God loves me. The rest is small stuff.

[Caplock50]

And get a couple of blank-page books...to keep a diary/journal in. Just writing down your fears and worries will help ease them. And it'll help solve them too.

[Belle]

It's just a little thing, but keep some steel wool. It's good for blocking up holes where mice or rats might get in, getting rust off tools, and for stuffing pincushions, because it sharpens your pins and needles with every use.

[Saul Mine]

NON-PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES (http://clearvisionhawaii.com/)

[Belle]

Good idea, Saul Mine. The Dollar Tree has them for $1 a pair.

[ray16309]

Remember to put dessicant packs in with your stored foods. Certain types of dessicant packs can be "re-activated" by heating them up to 275 degrees for approx. 12 hours.

[Jay Seidal]

Needles & thread
safety pins
pencils
light string or twine

[Saul Mine]

Staples and small needle nose pliers. If a button comes loose, bend two staples to fit the holes and stick the button on that way. Then bend the ends so they don't scratch your skin. That is a repair that will outlast the shirt or pants.

[Manuel O'Kelley]

Tar paper/roofing felt.

Can be used to patch most anything and in a pinch can be made into a place to live.

[RightWinger]

Stungun - more of a question than suggeston.

I have heard that by using an old fashioned telephone generator and a couple wires leading into the water, fish could be 'stunned' and would float to the top where they could easily be harvested. The others, after a few minutes, would regain their senses and swim off unharmed.

Could this be done using handheld stunguns? IF it works, (although illegal in todays world) may come in handy in a life-threatening survival situation to get fish, frogs, and snakes.

Anyone ever hear of this being attemped?

[Caplock50]

"Anyone ever hear of this being attemped?"

No, I haven't, but, if it'll make a big husky man flop around on the floor like a fish out of water, I don't see why it wouldn't work...except for maybe the distance involved.

[SagebrushSue]

OK friends. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread dedicated to miscellaneous items that we all might forget and wish we had. If we all brainstorm then we should all be covered.

I I had an idea at Lowe's this AM. It came to me after reading a post from the old TOL site That stuck in my brain (TMI stuck in there and leaks out at the oddest of times). Anyway......We got a foot valve for a well pump in 3/4 inch PVC, 2 screw connectors and a 10 pack of connectors. Now if it ever goes down I put the valve on the end of 3/4 pipe (that I already have on hand) and use it as a hand pump to get water out of our well.
Did anyone mention buying up bags of potting soil when it is on sale or else getting a pile of good soil/fertilizer together somewhere and covering it, in case the dirt gets contaiminated? You might fix up some planting benches and put in a bunch of dirt now, then just covering it up for later use to grow some food . You can actually get a LOT of food in a small area. You can actually grow food in your house - (south east windows work best) in large pots.

[DreadPirate]

Did anyone mention buying up bags of potting soil when it is on sale or else getting a pile of good soil/fertilizer together somewhere and covering it, in case the dirt gets contaiminated? You might fix up some planting benches and put in a bunch of dirt now, then just covering it up for later use to grow some food . You can actually get a LOT of food in a small area. You can actually grow food in your house - (south east windows work best) in large pots.

It would work if one was to store the "soil" in an air tight container and the moisture has been taken out. I wouldn't want mold to grow. One would want a mild fertilizer to go along with it. Maybe some " Peters "

[Homesteader1]

Hey folks great info.!

I'd like to add that my dh and ds are both on the volunteer fire dept. and my Dh is on the volunteer ambulance service as an EMT. We consider both to be useful preps, as they get training( free most of the time) and the knowledge of things to look for in the event of a flu pandemic, items needed to work in such enviroments( provided by the services) My Dh has always wanted to be an EMT, and partly due to the wealth of info and training he receives, this works well for home usage and he can get medical supplies through the service for cost for our own usage.( IE: bee sting kits, snake bite kit, splints, etc....)

[dreadstalker]

Stungun - more of a question than suggeston.

I have heard that by using an old fashioned telephone generator and a couple wires leading into the water, fish could be 'stunned' and would float to the top where they could easily be harvested. The others, after a few minutes, would regain their senses and swim off unharmed.

Could this be done using handheld stunguns? IF it works, (although illegal in todays world) may come in handy in a life-threatening survival situation to get fish, frogs, and snakes.

Anyone ever hear of this being attemped?I don't think that it is a matter of voltage. Instead I believe that it is the applied amperage. But there is only one way to find out. Let us know of your findings.

[RightWinger]

I don't think that it is a matter of voltage. Instead I believe that it is the applied amperage. But there is only one way to find out. Let us know of your findings.

That is why its more question then suggestion... I'm in a state where possesion of one is illegal. If I had one, I would't have to ask.

But I do still wonder if it would work with a couple wires and perhaps two alligator clips to attach to the probes or whatever they are called on the stungun, then with the two bare wire ends in the water at some distance apart would work to stun fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, etc in the water. IF it works, would make an extremely quiet, light weight, and highly effective way to gather food in an emergency.

Thanks for commenting on this Capslock50 and DreadStalker. So.. Anyone out there that has the ability to accurately answer this question as to IF it will work?

[Tweety]

If we have an EMP set off. 1. would the gov. lets us know? So we can shut off the elect. on our homes. 2. Just how are we going to keep what is basic in our frig. milk, eggs, butter from spoiling. That is right now my biggest brain stumper. And I live in NM. THE HEAT. I was thinking in a bucket under our mobile home in water where it is cool.??

[Caplock50]

You'll need a bag or 'bucket' of some material that will allow the water to 'leak' through it. And hang it in a shadey spot where the breeze can blow on it. The water evaporating from the material will carry the heat with it and will cool the water inside to keep the foods cool...not cold.

Another idea is to dig a deep hole to store your foods in. You'll need to have around two feet of dirt over it and the entrance well insulated, too. The ground temperature down deep like that stays around 68 to 70 degrees year round. Cool but not cold. During the wintertime, open the hole up so the weather can get down into it and when it freezes, pour in water. Once that water has frozen, pour in more. When you have a good, thick layer of ice, cover it with a layer of straw and dirt; and then fill it with your food and seal the hole up again. that is how the old timers did it.

[hisbluelady]

I'm thinking if there was an EMP setoff there would be no way for them to let us know. All communications as far as I understand would be cut off, because the towers would not be working etc. I guess you'd know because EVERYTHING would be shut down. For example, if the electricity is off, you can still get stations on a battery radio.

[SagebrushSue]

Great bunch of listings some really jogged my memory.
DW order a 75' roll of wicking for kerosene lamps, we have several along with about 25 gallons of kerosene. It was cheaper than some of the 12 packs at the survival stores.
Bar Stop for radiators. Works great.
Super glue. Used it for a cut one time, about the same thing the doctors use.
Hand drill braces for when there is no power.
Vodka for making tinctures. Cheapest works well.
Medicinal herbs. I think the sale will be banned or controlled soon. Store them in a constant temperature if possible. We use an old frig. Keeps them dry, insect proof and temperature is fairly constant even unplugged.
Self sticking horse leg wraps for bandages. Will not pull off skin.
Sanitary napkins for wound dressing.
Self striking matches
Zippo lighters or clones. You can use gasoline and I have even used jet fuel (stinks though).
Bird shot shells for rifle or pistol. Makes less noise than shot gun.
Any medical equipment such as splints, crutches, walkers you can find at a thrift store
Any size plastic containers for storage- rodent proof and dry. Also good for ammo as they do not "sweat"

JBuck
HEY JJ-Do you remember that hunk a junk Chevy pickup that my ex sabatoged and I came close to burning up in it? Remember how the radiator used to leak something awful? Well, one day I was in town and a friend of mine saw the radiator leaking and told me (he was a mechanic) that he NEVER went anywhere without BLACK PEPPER in his truck - he had several cans of it in his jockeybox....and told me to put a couple three tablespoons in the radiator and it would quit leaking. I tried it and it actually worked in a pinch!! Boy am I ever glad to be rid of that awful truck! But black pepper might be good in a pinch.

ALSO
bags of lime that you buy at the co-op or feed store - it is great for stinky outside bathrooms. Also, my grandpa and my aunt used to sprinkle lime on their gardens...don't ask me why, but they had gorgeous gardens and nobody died. Grandpa had a huge garden and built a little fruit stand on the highway and that is how he made a living.

[grizzly]

I had a thought, and it may have been mentioned already, but didn't see it if it has.

Solar chargable lights, and batteries, just leave them outside in daylight hours, and bring them in in the eve. for your night time light, the same with the batteries.

Also I know JB weld was mentioned, but those 2 part epoxy's are ideal in many repairs, there is one we use in collision repair, for many things, it's called 40/50 by dura-mix, most auto paint jobbers have it in stock, you have to purchase the gun also and extra tips-nozzels, but it's one of the strongest repairs I've ever seen, you can actually make parts with this stuff, sand it shape it, and it set's fast.( It comes in 2 different drying speeds.

[BeWell]

That epoxy sounds good, I'll tell DH about it.

[DreadPirate]

A good clear epoxy is "Hysol EA 956" a bite pricey but the stuff fixes even carbon fiber and Kevlar. I used to use it on aircraft. Also some stuff called " PRC " it sets up semi flexible and will stop fuel leaks.

[medicinescout]

Did I miss someone mentioning boot-laces?
You are far better off with para cord it can be used for almost anything including boot laces.

[medicinescout]

Here is what I carry for my go-bag:
KJV compact Bible with both New and Old Testament
King of the Mountain Wool coat, shirt, pants, mitten system, hat.
Steger mukluks
5 pr smartwool socks
4 smartwool heavy weight wool base layers
large fixed blade knife
small fixed blade knife
browning folding saw with spare blades
KOM wool blanket
Wiggy's sleeping bag
titanium cook gear
flint fire starter and cotton balls soaked in vasoline for tinder
Katadyne pocket water filter
Gransfor Burks small axe
Tarp shelter
Fishing kit
Para cord
Spare glasses 3 pr
first aid kit
Goretex rain jacket
Buckskin shirt (worn)
CZ 75 9mm pistol
TC classic .22 rifle with scope
and a couple of other items

[GrayGal]

A lot of salt to brine meat and make pickles.
Enough tools to make other tools.
Open pollinated seeds.
Livestock. At least a couple of hens and at least one rooster.

Something to trade and a group of friends to hang out with. Community will be really important since folks living on their own will not be able to live anywhere near as well as folks in groups.

[StarDreamer]

I haven't read the whole thread, so this may have already been mentioned. I bought an item called the Rapid Washer from this site. I know that you can take a regular plunger and cut holes in it so that the wash water goes through the clothes better, but I have used this washer and it really works well. I used liquid detergent with it, and everything got clean and the soap washed out easily. I do not own stock in this company or profit from any sales, etc.,etc.

www.wisementrading.com/washing.htm

[joyce1954]

I converted my 17 stitch Wards sewing machine to the treadle and it works great. Most treadles that you find are sewn out - meaning it cuts more thread than it sews. So my husband said "why not put your new machine on the base?" (this was back in '79 when we were living without elec.) He took the hand wheel off and removed the belt going to the motor. Then put the handwheel back on backwards so the belt track was on the outside of the machine. We set it on the treadle base and adjusted the belt and I have been sewing on it ever since. I am very pleased with having a 17 stitch free arm treadle sewing machine.

The bonus is that I can sew heavier projects better/easier than I could when the machine was electric. I make a lot or denim clothing (shirts, pants, coats etc.) and have no problem going thru 3-5 layers if the project calls for it.

And you can bet I have several extra belts and white lithium grease to keep that machine maintained. I buy my thread on the 2000 yd spools and I always have a huge supply of machine needles too. Goodwill is an excellent source for sewing supplies and materials of all types.

Another use for the newspaper rolls is to make patterns for sewing. But I also take apart old clothes to use for patterns too.

Joyce

[SimonJ]

Need to have:
Brace and assorted drill bits. Both wood and metal cutting.
Taps and dies. Round stock to make bolts and flat stock to make nuts.
Metal cutting hacksaw blades. Cheaper is not better. I use lots of hacksaw blades and the best bang for the buck is the more expensive ones. Occassionaly they will be on sale.
Some old rebar makes pretty good chisels if you forge them out and do a good heat treat.
Old motor oil works for quenching. Water does too, on the simple alloys. Brine is a faster quench then plain water. Oil depending on its weight is slower. Light oil is faster then heavy oil. Old leaf springs make great cutting tools and axes. Any old scrap iron or steel is good idea to have around.
A book or two on OLD forgeing techniquies will be very useful.
An assortment of hammers and tongs and an anvil. A piece of mainline RR track will definately work. I have 5 anvils and the one Ive had longest is just that, RR track.
Made many a blade on it and still use it on occassion for small stuff away from the shop.

[bgraham]

Also, my grandpa and my aunt used to sprinkle lime on their gardens

Lime is used to 'sweeten' the soil (raise the ph). Acidic (sour) soil has a low ph. Vegetables grow best with a ph between 6 and 7.

We limed our garden this year and it made a huge difference.

Lime also keeps flys away. We use it in our goat barn.

[DreadPirate]

Thought this one up.

Take 2 air conditioner covers and set one inside the other. Used sheet metal to finish each box. Make a metal door with hinges and a Handel. Place over a fire and WHALA you have a oven. I'll let ya know how it works when I get a chance to put it into practice.

[Micah68]

You can also use copper tubing and clamps with your pressure canner (or cooker) to make a water distiller.

How? please.

[Micah68]

That is why its more question then suggestion... I'm in a state where possesion of one is illegal. If I had one, I would't have to ask.

But I do still wonder if it would work with a couple wires and perhaps two alligator clips to attach to the probes or whatever they are called on the stungun, then with the two bare wire ends in the water at some distance apart would work to stun fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, etc in the water. IF it works, would make an extremely quiet, light weight, and highly effective way to gather food in an emergency.

Thanks for commenting on this Capslock50 and DreadStalker. So.. Anyone out there that has the ability to accurately answer this question as to IF it will work?

I have NO idea if this would work, but what about a cattle prod? I can't imagine it being illegal to own one anywhere.

[Josh G]

Excellent discussion. I'd add that there are lots of free pdfs of old plans for everything from building your own lathe, to old timey toys here:

http://www.countryplans.com/vintage_farm/index.html


And, if it hasn't been mentioned before, www.survivalblog.com is a treasure trove of the lists, how to's, and what not, for the independent-living-minded.

Cheers,

:-P

[Yum-Yum]

sling blades
bush knives
machetes
files and stones for sharpening
cotton twine, different thicknesses
rapelling or parachute rope
spools of wire, different gauges
pulleys
single and double trees (excellent for hanging carcasses for cleaning and skinning)
axes, mauls, wedges, froe, 2 man saw extra handles
rubber mallets, hammers (ball peen, claw, etc)
hand drill and bits
lathe and planers
scrap lumber
replacement glass cut o size for windows
duct tape
rubber bands
work gloves
leather
awl
lag bolts
screws (sheet metal, regular etc)
nuts and bolts (hexhead, locking, wing, box)
pliers
tin snips
nails
bolt cutters
eye bolts
lag bolts
machine oil
wd40
hardware cloth
tape measures
chains
padlocks
scrap sheet metal and tin
polyurethane sheeting
t posts and driver
push plow
screen


hat is all the damage I can do for now. Just ask yourself anytime you do anything: how would I do this without gas/electric etc?

Angel


I like where you're going with the tools, Angel. Don't for get drawknives, spokeshaves, chisels, and a shave horse. You can make almost any basic item with these and a hatchet.

[Yum-Yum]

You can reduce the risk of spoilage by canning when you can. :| No pun intended. Butter can be canned, I will be trying it out in the next couple of weeks. You can find it in the kitchen forum on TOL.

[joyce1954]

Need the things to fish - line, hooks, etc and the things for hunting or trapping/snaring game. I would say if we are worried about an EMP that hunting may require bows instead of guns. Just a thought....Joyce

[wafflehouse]

these are great books.. how to do things the Old Way:



http://books.shop.ebay.com/items/Books__foxfire_W0QQ_nkwZfoxfireQQ_catrefZ1QQ_flnZ1 QQ_sacatZ267QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em282?_trksid=p3 286.c0.m282

[freefornow]

may i ask-- how does EMP affect guns?

[SimonJ]

She could be thinking about the electronic locks or Etriggers that TPTB keep talking about.
Think "Weeapon shops of Isher".

[Belle]

I thought of another prep item this morning - chewing tobacco. I try and keep a couple of packs of it for making insecticide.

[Salal Sue]

Laundry help:

Microfiber underwear; it is breathable, washes easily, and most important for winter when clothes may need to be dried inside--microfiber dries very quickly.

Cut bath towels in half and hem. I did this for the children when small but if doing laundry by hand this would be good for everyone. If you sew one of those plastic rings on a corner, the towels can be hung on a nail or cup hanger--kids seem to like this and it is much easier for them than trying to rehang a towel on a bar.