PREP Overlooked Preps

[notyoung]

Here is the modern version... https://www.amazon.com/HeatnBond-UltraHold-Iron-Adhesive-Inches/dp/B000XAMYXI/ref=sr_1_6?crid=PYZ9CFH4N0U6&dchild=1&keywords=fusible+webbing+for+fabric+applique&qid=1633961041&sprefix=Fusible+webbing,aps,938&sr=8-6

Buy a pack of this stuff, and you'll never spend hours cussing, trying to stitch a patch on the inside of a pair of jeans!

You use better parts of jeans too worn to save for the patch. I actually sent several "ready to apply" iron on patches in denim and khaki with our sons when they went off to college.

If you've got boys, you iron on patches on the knees of their jeans *before* they wear them!

Summerthyme

Not just boys - our then six-year-old "pretty little girl with curly blonde hair" wore out the knees of "double knee" jeans ;-)

Other prep ideas:

There is a convenient sewing awl that works well on leather (and other heavy fabrics). It's the Speedy Stitcher from Speedy Stitcher® Sewing Awl Kit - Sailrite and it's about $20US. You might also find it at Walmart, Ace Hardware or Amazon. I used one to repair the handle on my wife's leather Bible cover. Just a matter of minutes but she was impressed ;-)

For jotting down your history or leaving notes, ink will survive longer than pencil so pen and ink - and perhaps a "pen knife" to sharpen that turkey quill?

Unless you're very neat, lined notebook paper or composition/theme books will produce a document that's more readable in the future. If your cursive isn't the best - or you kids/grandkids weren't taught cursive - perhaps block printing. In the near future, I have a little solar power, paper and ink/toner to print electronically for lasting documents that are universally readable.

The Luci (and other lights from MPOWERD) have lithium batteries so should be good for perhaps 2000 cycles (to full discharge) - much longer if you recharge them before they go dark.

I have two Chinese knock-off self-winding watches. Reasonably accurate and they last a while if not in daily use - if SHTF, we'd be depending on the windup wall clock for long-term time reference.

Include "How To Build An Outhouse" in your reference books - it's in the Storey Country Wisdom book series.

Maybe a cookbook or two on "Cooking From Scratch"? Or some from "Farm Journal" magazine's series of cookbooks?

 

[Safetydude]

You really do need to try eneloop's! Not only do they hold their charge they don't leak.

Frankly that's where Alkaline batteries do the most damage, installed in something that is forgotten. When found you can't get the end off with vise grips because of corrosion.

ETA: If your using non-rechargeable batteries inside stored items I hope your using Energizer's Disposable Lithium cells the expensive ones. That is what I use in a several hundred dollar pocket size multifunction Radiation detector.

Yes if you have a Maglite or other cylindrical-body flashlights and use alkalines, if you drop the flashlight on a hard surface and it lands on either end, the battery seals are highly likely damaged and will leak. I have gotten many new flashlights or or checks to replace damaged items and new sets of batteries. With all the AAA and AA adapters otu there now, you can build ampacity to make rechargeable 'C", "D", and 18650 But with LED flashlights, Eneloop or EBL long shelf-life NiMH work just great and never hand any leakage. But for cold or long-term, Energizer lithium batteries have worked well for me. I power my Ludlum rad meters with "D" cell adapters and NiMH to many dollars to risk leakage.

 

[CaryC]

Include "How To Build An Outhouse" in your reference books - it's in the Storey Country Wisdom book series.

That's a great idea.

However a couple of things to bear in mind.

So long as you have any kind of water, you can still use the facilities in your home, just have to do it manually.

While someone may want to conserve water, and once we get in this type of mode, is a smart idea, it won't work for people living in apartments.

Those folks will be having a lot of problems, so may want to have a bucket on hand, with a small amount of water, mostly to cover the smell. Put a GOOD garbage bag in, and carry the contents to the sewer opening down at the corner of the street.

Let me try that again that doesn't sound right to me:

Have a 5 gallon bucket with a garbage bag already in it, before use.

Sanitation is going to be a big problem, and the lack there of carries lots of diseases.

So having a 5 gallon bucket on hand, even if you are using it for something else right now, AND some spare BOXES of garbage bags is something to think about for your situation.

 

[jed turtle]

I never could understand on this forum how all the men folk would carry on about FLASHLIGHTS.
I thought "what's the big deal?"

I recently decided to get an "upgraded flashlight". Had 2 tiny ones in my kitchen junk drawer.
Bought a RECHOO LED S2000 Super Bright. Holly Cow! I'm having fun!

Amazon.com

Ah, one of my favorite subjects, although I own none of the “best”. I do have flashlights, mostly small one AAA powered types everywhere. However the ones that are MOST essential on the homestead are the several head lamp types, 3- AAA Batteries each. usually I expect to pay $20 each minimum. Frees up my hands to work or carry stuff. Same idea behind having Bluetooth earpiece for the cell phone.

 

[Tristan]

If I might suggest the Minimag. It runs on 2 AA batteries. Is bright enough to use around the house, and spotlight the yard, or woods. Easy to carry. Using AA is a real bonus. AA are used in a lot of other items so can scavenge from other items, and if you get rechargeable ones, you can recharge them with a genie, solar, etc... way easy. If you need your hands free you can stick it in your mouth, and if you're sitting in the bathroom it will stand up on it's own.

On the sewing it's not just the needles, its also the thread. To stitch up a tear in a pair of pants (I know it's fashionable to wear holy pants) it's not just pulling the two sides together and sewing it shut. Like skin. It's more in the way of darning socks. Meaning you will need to use a thread like they use in cross stitching, and make a weave out of the repair.

Maybe the ladies can give some advice on how to do that. I only remember my mom doing mine, when it wasn't fashionable to have holy pants. I know gasp, she even used patches over the hole.

Anyone else notice how crappy modern batteries are?

Well stored, un-used, name brand batteries are leaking all over in less than two years. Energizers last a little longer... a little.

I formerly had batteries that were 6-8 years old that worked, perhaps with a bit of loss of power.

Point of this post is that batteries, and therefore battery powered devices, are going to be problematic if there's supply disruptions, which can come in many forms.

 

[xtreme_right]

I had to change my vacuum bag and realized I only have 2 left. I buy packs of 12 from Amazon and hadn’t thought about making sure I have enough put back.

Same with AC filters. Mine is an unusual size so I order packs of 12 from Amazon. I just have 3 left.

 

[kyrsyan]

Duct tape makes good temporary "casts" as well. My ex twisted his ankle pretty well. Friend was there that was sport med. And we couldn't do a hospital run. So wrapped in tp to protect the skin. Then duct tape over that. Made for an impressively sturdy support bandage.

 

[jward]

I had to root around town looking for something to kill pantry moths; 55 years and never had a bug in my pantry, as late DH said, why, they. just. wouldn't. DARE. LOL.
...so very late to the game I am, and looks like it'll be ever so much fun. ..

 

[Marseydoats]

I've got pantry moths too, and never had them before?

 

[psychgirl]

Anyone else notice how crappy modern batteries are?

Well stored, un-used, name brand batteries are leaking all over in less than two years. Energizers last a little longer... a little.

I formerly had batteries that were 6-8 years old that worked, perhaps with a bit of loss of power.

Point of this post is that batteries, and therefore battery powered devices, are going to be problematic if there's supply disruptions, which can come in many forms.

Yes. They age real quick

 

[West]

I've got pantry moths too, and never had them before?

We found out that ours came from the dog food, that was stored away from our pantry.

Longshot.

 

[armadillogray]

I actually found solar powered cell phone chargers in case electricity goes out.

 

[psychgirl]

I actually found solar powered cell phone chargers in case electricity goes out.

Where did you find them? Amazon?

 

[armadillogray]

Where did you find them? Amazon?

I ordered them from a place called Invative, Inc. DD goes camping in backwoods, good for others when power goes down. We may not always have electric, but we do have the sun.... Everyone has a cell (or at least most). Did a bit of research and it is best on market.

 

[psychgirl]

I ordered them from a place called Invative, Inc. DD goes camping in backwoods, good for others when power goes down. We may not always have electric, but we do have the sun.... Everyone has a cell (or at least most). Did a bit of research and it is best on market.

I’ve been googling
thank you!

 

[jed turtle]

Anyone else notice how crappy modern batteries are?

Well stored, un-used, name brand batteries are leaking all over in less than two years. Energizers last a little longer... a little.

I formerly had batteries that were 6-8 years old that worked, perhaps with a bit of loss of power.

Point of this post is that batteries, and therefore battery powered devices, are going to be problematic if there's supply disruptions, which can come in many forms.

I use Energizer rechargeable batteries in virtually all my devices. They eventually wear down and become a waste of time to recharge, but never had one leak ever. And I am sure the extra cost for rechargeables is recovered several times over.

 

[rob0126]

A few inexpensive but useful toolbox preps:

An exacto knife - good for slicing off vaccuum hoses from fragile plastic parts(radiator and evap nipples) or anything thats fragile that you want to preserve. (one of my goto tools)
Just be careful how deep you cut.

stiff metal pipe - basically a breaker bar for when you need ridiculous leverage to remove nuts and bolts. (make sure its big enough to fit over your ratchets handle)

Turkey baster - to suck fluids out of reservoirs.(brake fluid, power steering fluid, etc)

 

[Tristan]

I actually found solar powered cell phone chargers in case electricity goes out.

Good idea.

A spare, high quality battery may also be a good idea.

 

[summerthyme]

We found out that ours came from the dog food, that was stored away from our pantry.

Longshot.

That's a REAL common source of pantry moths....

Summerthyme

 

[xtreme_right]

We found out that ours came from the dog food, that was stored away from our pantry.

Ooh, I’m glad you mentioned this because I keep 6 bags of dog food on the floor of my pantry. This is also where most of my shorter term food is that’s still in boxes and bags so it could all be easily infested. I’m moving the Dogfood to a closet somewhere else.

 

[9idrr]

Havin' had a couple of slips with an Xacto knife blade, they might be an adequate substitute for a scalpel if the need arises.

 

[summerthyme]

Havin' had a couple of slips with an Xacto knife blade, they might an adequate substitute for a scalpel if the need arises.

Oh, yes... used as expedient scalpels in barns all over...

Summerthyme

 

[Martinhouse]

The pantry moth problem I had a few years ago must have come from bags of cat food.

My mom's entire big old Pontiac Cutlass became infested because she carried around a big bag of birdseed in her trunk for a while instead of unloading it right away. I'm pretty sure she was glad she didn't bring that stuff into her house!

 

[armadillogray]

The pantry moth problem I had a few years ago must have come from bags of cat food.

My mom's entire big old Pontiac Cutlass became infested because she carried around a big bag of birdseed in her trunk for a while instead of unloading it right away. I'm pretty sure she was glad she didn't bring that stuff into her house!

Moth eggs can be found in things with a grain base so any pet food may have them. Also any foodstuffs with flour such as open pancake mix or crackers. Doesn't necessarily have to be confined to pet food but that is a common culprit

 

[Martinhouse]

I got rid of my one bad infestation of pantry moths with lots of the traps made for them, plus a failure to keep my house cleaned of little spiders and their webs.

Also was able to trap and kill a lot of those moths by setting out several little saucers with just enough cooking oil in them that the moths would get stuck in the oil. Kinda like using a white platter on the floor with enough water in it to attract and drown fleas.

 

[Crusty Echo 7]

Tampons for a deep wound.

If it only worked on the emotional side too…the guy who figures that out will beat Bezoz and Gates

 

[Profit of Doom]

My dentist used clove oil when I had dry socket pain after a tooth was pulled. It worked really well, and it was fast.

Is it safe?

 

[ssonb]

A good set of metal shears you will need both one for straight cut one for curved.
A long wrecking bar
A buck bar (ya know the thing you use to roll logs and timbers with)
A good quality long handled bolt cutter (You never know when someone will put their lock on your gate.)

 

[Hfcomms]

Spare parts for your toilet that wear out or a spare toilet in a box. I did a web search for the make that I have and got a spare fill valve, float, flush handle and made sure to have at least one spare wax ring. If your toilet breaks going to be some unhappy people. In addition picked up a few spare circuit breakers for the panel as well as making sure I have a roll of standard 12/2 romex on hand in case I have to replace any wiring or pull a new circuit.

 

[summerthyme]

Is it safe?

Yes.

Summerthyme

 

[Millwright]

A decent set of basic tools.

FARM - Basic tools that everybody should have.

Everybody spends a lot of time on food, meds, guns and shelter parts of being equipped for whatever may come along. Being able to repair what you have is becoming a lost ability these days and people just don't spend the time to learn how to do anything mechanical. A large part of being...

www.timebomb2000.com

 

[Quiet Man]

A few more:

• Get some corded drills. Batteries will die and probably be impossible to replace.
• Get a battery charger that is designed to desulfate and 'recover' batteries. Extend the life of your car/truck batteries.
• Spare tires and drive belt for your Band Saw
• Spare MicroSDXC cards (probably will become expensive and hard to get)
• Coffee (of course! )
• Tea -- I've recently discovered tea. Was/Am a huge coffee fan. The company 'Tea India' makes a nice Assam Black tea (loose CTC) tea at good prices.
• Super bright LED lights. I sometimes imagine that, since I have a solar system, that really bright LED lights might be needed for emergency surgery at my home.
• Spare remote controls for your garage door
• Shilajit. Look it up. Good for health; provides trace minerals. Stores forever.

 

[Illini Warrior]

A few inexpensive but useful toolbox preps:

An exacto knife - good for slicing off vaccuum hoses from fragile plastic parts(radiator and evap nipples) or anything thats fragile that you want to preserve. (one of my goto tools)
Just be careful how deep you cut.

stiff metal pipe - basically a breaker bar for when you need ridiculous leverage to remove nuts and bolts. (make sure its big enough to fit over your ratchets handle)

Turkey baster - to suck fluids out of reservoirs.(brake fluid, power steering fluid, etc)

go one better and fabricate a little - find a pipe that fits your wrench /tire iron - then get a length of larger pipe that allows a sliding fit of the smaller cheater pipe - I always add a locking thumb set screw to lock it together ...

 

[Mushroom]

Just ordered some extra blankets. Found some king sized so they can be folded over for single sleepers for extra warmth. Got 3 for $100 so not terribly expensive. I already have some unwoven wool emergency blankets that can be used on top if the cold gets that bad. Most other needs have already been covered.

 

[coloradohermit]

Our electricity was out for a few hours the other day and it was nice to have my folding sterno stove to keep my coffee hot.

 

[Quiet Man]

My Sonicare toothbrush died recently. I discovered that one can purchase the vibrator assembly inexpensively ($12) on eBay. Fixed me right up. Might want a few as spares. They look like this:



Also:

• You can purchase sterile injectable Vitamin B12 liquid (at on-line vet shops, like ValleyVet). Some folks really need this.
• Purchase glass syringes, which can be sterilized and reused many times.

 

[Mushroom]

Just bought some new undies so I have enough till I can wash them. Ordered some seeds for the spring too. DH brought home some chick feed and some layer pellets as we plan on getting some chickens as soon as we can get accomodations for them. Thought I might as well get while it is still available..

 

[West]

My Sonicare toothbrush died recently. I discovered that one can purchase the vibrator assembly inexpensively ($12) on eBay. Fixed me right up. Might want a few as spares. They look like this:

View attachment 308110

Also:

• You can purchase sterile injectable Vitamin B12 liquid (at on-line vet shops, like ValleyVet). Some folks really need this.
• Purchase glass syringes, which can be sterilized and reused many times.

At first glance, I thought it was a sonic screwdriver. I was like right on! Then read the post...

I just looked for a real Sonic screwdriver, and at first thought I found one, for a few hundred dollars. But it's just a prop.

Really I want a real one. At least one that is a great light, circuit tester, voltage and Amp tester, temperature, taser, lighter etc...

Think there be a market for it.

 

[fish hook]

Mom always ironed on, then sewed the edges. I've always been really rough on clothes.

I recently did this with great success.

 

[fish hook]

A big disadvantage is using the Vehicle Cig Lighter outlet. Typically Cig lighter outlets are wired & fused to blow at ~15 amps.

So your only going to get 150-200 watts using the Cig Lighter outlet, not 400 watts as rated.

However...If the back of the Inverter has screw terminals used to connect the Inverter's Cig Lighter cable, you're in luck!

Make up a bit longer 12ga cable using Ring Terminals(on Inverter end) and battery clamps on the other end. You should get full rated power...connecting direct to the Vehicles battery.

ETA: If you have a 12ga extension cord, worth sacrificing ... you could cut 6-7 feet off and use it for the inverters. Of course after you crimp & solder the ring terminals & battery clamps on the cable. I do this quite a bit, cutting off a section of extension cord for two conductor cable, heavy duty jacket makes extension cables a good thing in a pinch. That's one of my prep items - outdoor extension cables.

I keep a rig like this with my 12 volt compressor since i have no lighter plug on the mower.