No Gutters On Your House – Create a “Drain Barrel” (Rainwater Collection System)

Posted on June 8, 2014 by staff-writer

This is a great idea for capturing rainwater for your home, garden or even at your bugout location. It comes in handy in places where you may not be able to tap a well or water source directly.

I wanted to share instructions on how to build a “drain barrel” for those of you who may not have gutters on your house. This project is most useful for those of us who have a clearly-defined gouge in our wood chips where the water pours off the roof.

Step 1:

Purchase three cedar decking boards and screw them together in the shape of a trough. Seal all joined edges with a clear silicone caulk.

Step 2:

Obtain containers in which the capture the rainwater; it would be best to find containers with about a 2″ opening.

Step 3:

Line up the containers and measure the distance between the center of the containers’ openings. Leave about 1/2″ per container for expansion. Measure the diameter of the container’s opening and use a hole saw (attached to the drill) to make holes in the trough.

Step 4:

Purchase a 10′ length of PVC pipe. It should be slightly less in diameter than your hole. Count the number of holes and divide evenly. Cut the PVC into equal lengths. Purchase a narrowing PVC conduit to glue to the top of your pipes. Drill two holes in the widest part of the conduit and use a miter saw to remove the material between the holes. This will make a slit to help drain the water into the pipe and ultimately into your container.

Step 5:

Construct some simple “feet” to attach to the ends of the trough. If you drill a hole in the middle of the end of the trough, you will be able to swivel the trough up-side-down on the lag bolt to prevent snow from weighing the trough down during the winter. Dig a hole on both ends for the “feet”, level the trough, and add concrete to prevent the structure from moving during a hard rain.

Step 6:

Rake the area under the trough so that you can remove the containers easily. Insert the PVC pipe, and add metal menders if you like to ensure the container’s slit stays level with the trough. When it rains, the water will be directed from the trough, into the PVC pipe and then into your container. When the container is full, lift the PVC pipe out of the mouth of the container, remove the container, and water your plants. When the container is empty, put it back under the trough and slip the PVC pipe back down into the mouth of the container. If you like, you can purchase a rain barrel with which to pour the full containers.

[source]

How To Tie Fishing Knots

Posted on June 6, 2014 by staff-writer

Fishing knots are created to be tied with either a mono or a coated or un-coated braided line and should have the ability to pass through fishing rod eyes and rings as well as a fishing rig. For that reason they need to be as small and as strong as possible. Learning a new knot takes patience and practice. Some knots may seem challenging at the beginning but with some practice you will soon tie all these knots for fishing like a master.

Fishing line knots must be pulled extremely tight before it is used. To ensure fishing knots tighten smoothly, and to help minimize the amount of heat generated, the knot should be moistened with either water or saliva. Trim the ends of all knots closely against the knot. A nail clipper is a very good tool for this purpose.

“Click for more resources on learning how to fish”

Some of the most popular knots for fishing include the Palomar Knot (one of the well-known fly fishing knots), Nail Knot, Blood Knot, Clinch Knot and the Knotless Knot. The different fishing knots all have their own unique uses and it is wise to learn as many fishing line knots as possible to make sure that you have the right fishing knot for the right situation.

The Tie-Fast Knot Tool is a handy little tool that ties several different types of fishing knots. These fishing knots are quick to tie and they are very strong.

How to tie Fishing Knots – Snell Knot

In this fishing knots video you get some good tips on snelling and flipping plus you get to learn how-to tie a Snell Knot

Great Fishing Knot resource CLICK HERE

See more knots: source

Gardening Top Tip From YZS

Posted on May 18, 2014 by staff-writer

Gardening Top Tip: Tomatoes need calcium to achieve their full flavor potential, and calcium is often greatly lacking in our soils. 95% of a dry eggshell is calcium carbonate.

When planting your tomato plants crush up (to powder) about 4 or 5 egg shells and put them in the bottom of the hole. Then plant your tomato on top. They’ll provide calcium and prevent blossom end rot.

See Which Vegetables to Grow During Summer : Click Here

If you are looking for vegetables to grow during summer, these should be the ones you must consider. Plant Heirloom Seeds : Survival Seeds

The Vital Importance of Staying Hydrated: How Dehydration Impacts Your Body

Posted on May 14, 2014 by staff-writer

Drinking enough water is essential for maintaining good health, especially in survival situations. This infographic highlights the crucial role that water plays in keeping our bodies functioning properly, as well as the harmful effects of dehydration and its implications for our overall well-being. Make sure you stay hydrated to keep your body in top shape!

Infographic SOURCE

How To Make Your Own Vertical PVC Planter

Posted on May 11, 2014 by staff-writer

Short on space for your garden? Go vertical. Upright planters let those short on space still experience the joys of gardening. I’m so glad that there are options out there! The Owner Builder Network has put together a fantastic tutorial on how to make one of your own from PVC pipe.

Here’s a step by step guide on how to make your own vertical planter.

Materials:

– Any length 100mm-150mm (4″ – 6″) diameter PVC or any other kind of pipe
– Potting mix and compost
– Plants (not large plants or bushes)
– Large pebbles of about the same size for added support/stability
– A drip irrigation pipeline (or you can simply water from the top and it will trickle down) *

Tools:
– A drill and circular drill bit OR
– A jigsaw if you don’t own the above
– A hacksaw (if pipe needs to be cut down)
– Marker pen

Important:

A minimum of 25% of your above ground height needs to be below ground, to ensure stability. e.g. if you want your planter to be a metre high then the overall length of your pipe must be 125cm (or more).

How to:

If you are using an off cut or leftover material from a previous job, then the size and height of your project have already been determined for you.

If you are buying the materials you need to decide on the height and width of the pipe. For a 100mm pipe it is recommended to have only one hole in a horizontal row so the plants have enough room for their roots to grow. For 150mm pipes you can have up to 3 holes in each horizontal row depending on which plants you choose (three holes for flowers only, the rest either one hole or two).

Using a marker pen, mark out the holes you want to cut for your plants using the guidelines above. The size of the hole directly depends on the plants type and size.

Using the markings, cut the planting holes using either a hand drill with circular drill bit or a jigsaw.

Set up the pipe in a large pot or directly into the soil, using the pebbles for additional stability.

Finally, put the compost and soil into your pipe and start planting.

Keep the water up to your plants and sit back and reap the rewards.

* Because the planters hold only a limited amount of soil, it is essential you keep the water up to your plants. If you are relying in watering only at the top of the pipe, you’ll find that the plants at the top will get plenty of water but those at the bottom will get a lot less dry. That’s fine if you plant accordingly, but the best solution is to insert a weeper hose into the main pipe. This can be purchased or simply made by using 1″ conduit drilled with weep holes down it’s length. Wrap this inner conduit in geo-fabric or weed-cloth to prevent it getting blocked over time.

[source]

Homemade Sling-Bow

Posted on April 24, 2014 by staff-writer

by Kayak Kid

In this DIY I will be showing you how to make your very own sling-bow. A sling-bow is basically a slingshot that’s altered to shoot arrows. They are pretty powerful depending on what materials you use to construct them with, and can be made on a very slim budget. So without further ado lets begin!

Step 1: What You’ll Need

You’ll need:

A sling shot
A golf tee
An O-ring
Two medium zip ties
An old beat up arrow
A few strips of duck tape

Optional:

Whisker biscut

Step 2: The sling shot

The first thing you need to do is to prep the sling shot. The first step in doing this is to take off the existing elastic bands, and discard them. Next take your heavy duty replacement bands and trim them until there’s 1 inch of band for every 5 inches of arrow. For example I trimmed my bands to 5 1/2 inches, and they work perfectly with my 25” arrows. Next put your bands on and leaving a quarter inch to a half inch of extra band extending at the end. To test pull it back to it’s max draw and have someone measure the distance from the pocket to the extra bit of band on the sling shot. You want this number to be less than the length of the arrow by one or two inches.

Step 3: The Arrow Rest

The arrow rest is what is going to hold the arrow before and during the release. You want the O-ring, to be perfectly vertical, so to do that you first need to put one of the zip ties through the O-ring and then around the end tag of the elastic band like in the picture above. Don’t tighten it all the way yet, we’ll get to that later. Then next to get the ring to stand vertical you need to counter twist the other zip tie. If you are confused at this point just reference the pictures above. Now tighten the zip ties until the ring is right in the center, and vertical.

Step 4: Optional: Whisker Biscuit

Attaching a whisker biscuit is optional, but will help your accuracy and help preserve your arrow fletchings. To do this put a rubber band around your O-ring using a small zip tie, like in the picture. Then slide your whisker biscuit into place.

Step 5: Arrows

The arrows I use are just some carbon fiber arrows I out grew or some that just have bad fletchings. First you need to remove the fletchings and knock. The knock should pull out with a pliers, and the fletchings are easy to remove using a pocket of your hunting knife. You should by now have an arrow striped of everything except it’s Insert.

Step 6: Fletching The Arrows

To fletch the arrows I use duck tape. This is the best, cheapest, way I found to do it. First rip a section of duck tape about 2-3 inches long. Next crease the duck tape in the middle leaving a little bit not stuck together at the top. Then stick that part to the arrow shaft about 1 to 1-1/2 inches from the end were the knock use to be. You will get better flight and accuracy if you angle your vane’s to make the arrow spin, but it isn’t required for good performance.

Step 7: Reapeat

Once you have repeated this to all three to five sides you are ready to cut out the actual shape your vane/feather will be. I like to use a downsized version of the original vane’s shape, and make normally three of these.

Step 8: The Nock

For this I found that hot gluing a golf tee into the shaft is the best way to go. Shooting arrows with the standard nock is OK but it seem to put more stress on your fingers, and can sometimes slip out. The last thing to do after this is to screw in your point.

Now you’re all set to shoot! I hoped you enjoyed this instructable and wish to see more in the future.

[source]

41 Genius Camping Hacks You Must Try

Posted on April 19, 2014 by staff-writer

1. Make pizza in your pie iron with biscuit dough.

Get the complete recipe here. You can also just use sliced bread and a little butter.

2. Line your pie iron with foil for easy clean up.

You can go from grilled cheese to apple pie pocket with practically no clean up.

3. Wrapping your meat in cabbage leaves will keep it from getting burnt to a crisp.

The cabbage is dense and moist enough to create the perfect nonstick barrier. No more accidental charred-to-a-crisp meals!

4. A miniature Tic Tac box makes a great miniature tackle box.

5. Adding sage to your campfire or fire pit keeps mosquitoes and bugs away.

6. Kids can make an adorable and easy keepsake bracelet out of duct tape.

They can stick things on, like tiny pebbles, flowers, or leaves, and create a souvenir from their nature walk. Just make sure the sticky side is on the outside.

7. Here’s an awesome s’mores hack your kids will love:

8. Stovetop popcorn (like Jiffy Pop) can be made over a campfire.

They’re so easy to transport, and kids will be amazed when the foil begins to expand. Just be careful, as the handle will become very hot.

You can also make your own out of popcorn kernels and aluminum foil. Directions here.

9. Keep extra duct tape for emergencies right on your water bottle.

10. Make eggs and bacon in a paper bag.

It’s an easy way to make multiple breakfasts at once. Get the recipe/directions here.

11. Use an acorn cap to loudly whistle for help if you’re lost in the woods.

Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Or make a willow whistle.

Get the instructions here.

12. These compact towels can dry off two people after swimming and are dry to the touch within an hour of use.

Purchase here.

13. Bailey’s dipped toasted marshmallows are a must for camping.

Toast a marshmallow over hot coals, and then dip the warm marshmallow into a cup of Bailey’s. They’re so delicious and addictive, you’ll want to make them even when you’re NOT camping.

14. Make flaming Jell-O marshmallow shots.

HOW COOL IS THIS. Fill the marshmallows with a Jell-o mixture and dip into rum. Get the full recipe/directions here.

15. Make a last-minute camping spoon with a knife and a plastic bottle.

16. Fill a gallon milk jug with water and 1/4 cup salt to use as a salt block for your cooler.

The jugs mean that you won’t get water all over your food when the ice melts. The salt will make the cold last longer — however, it also means that the water in the jugs won’t double as emergency drinking water.

17. Carry your seasonings in straws.

Just use a lighter to re-seal.

18. You can also keep seasonings, toppings, and condiments separate but organized in stackable pill containers.

Label with a Sharpie.

19. Blue cheese filled bacon-wrapped mushrooms are the savory version of a campfire s’more.

Get the full directions here.

20. This is the coolest tarp trick:

Use a small stick to help secure the main center line. When pressure is put on one end, the line will tighten evenly, keeping the grommets from being torn out.

21. Pre-make your food and vacuum seal it.

It will stay fresh longer and will be easier to pack.

22. Keep your toiletries hooked onto a shower caddy.

You can buy one here for $9.95 or make your own.

23. Slit foam swim noodles lengthwise and slip over each awning strut.

Not only are you less likely to bump into them in the dark, but they’ll be padded!

You can also use a pool noodle to cushion a canoe before strapping it to your car to protect from scratching.

24. Carry some emergency TP in an Altoids container.

Especially if you’re going to be venturing off on a hike or nature walk.

25. A 16-ounce water bottle will hold 8–9 large eggs.

Pre-scrambling your eggs will save you the trouble of having to figure out a way of transporting them. It also eliminates the need for a separate bowl and whisk.

26. This collapsible silicone coffee dripper takes up almost no space.

And it has a super high Amazon.com rating. Get it here for $10.99.

27. For fewer burrs, rub the laces of your hiking boots with paraffin before hitting the trail.

28. Corn chips (like Fritos or Doritos) make a great substitute kindling when starting a fire.

29. Make an inexpensive candle lantern out of a used tuna can and a candle.

The foil will reflect the light and create more glow. It could potentially block some wind, as well.

30. Silicone cups are unbreakable and super easy to pack.

Get ‘em here.

31. Make toothpaste dots.

Spread them out on a plate, let them dry for 2–3 days, and then sprinkle baking soda over them. Once they dry, just pop them into a resealable plastic bag.

32. Keep your TP dry in a CD spindle.

If you’re trying to save space because you’re backpacking, take the tube out and flatten the toilet paper. Keep it in a plastic bag instead.

33. Instant grits will keep ants away from your campsite.

Just sprinkle wherever you see the ants.

34. Use biodegradable trail marking tape so you don’t get lost while hiking.

Buy it here.

35. Safely remove a tick with a cotton ball soaked in liquid hand soap.

Keep it on the tick for at least 20 seconds. The tick will cease biting, back out, and will remain stuck to the cotton ball when it’s pulled away. If the tick has been embedded for awhile, keep it in a jar so you can test it for Lyme disease.

Note that there is debate on whether this actually works. Here’s a testimonial that says it does, but there’s no scientific evidence to back it up, so try at your own risk and keep a pair of tweezers in your first aid kit.

36. Your deodorant doubles as a mosquito bite itch queller.

37. Make solar camp lanterns out of mason jars and solar disks.

Get the full directions here.

38. Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil doubles as a super effective mosquito repellent.

And you won’t smell like bug repellent.

39. Glue sandpaper to the top of your match holder.

Keeping your matches in a tupperware or stainless container will ensure they don’t get wet.

40. Cobble together a makeshift shower using a large water jug and a watering can head.

Get the full directions here.

41. Make camping sangria concentrate using a mason jar.

No, you don’t have to go camping to try this delicious sangria. Get the full recipe here.

Click here for more ingenious camping spots!

[source]

Save And Share This Infographic: What Is The Shelf Life Of Your Food?

Posted on April 17, 2014 by staff-writer

Wasted food

According to a survey by the Food Marketing Institute, such confusion leads nine out of 10 Americans to needlessly throw away food. The survey found 90 percent of Americans “at least occasionally throw food away prematurely because they mistakenly interpret the date label to mean their food is unsafe” — and 25 percent say they always discard food on or before that date.

Related: Long Term Food Storage

The researchers blame “a lack of binding federal standards, and the resultant state and local variability in date labeling rules” for the inconsistency in date-labeling practices.”

In 2012, one national study estimated that 40 percent of the country’s food supply goes uneaten. The cost of that wasted food is about $165 billion, including $900 million in “expired” food.

A family of four, the study found, spends an average of $455 a year on food it doesn’t eat. The researchers recommend making “sell by” dates invisible to the consumer, and have the food industry establish a standard, uniform labeling system.

Types of FOOD dating

There are three types of dates on a food that is purchased. If the package says “Sell By,” be sure to purchase the food before the date listed. The “sell by” date tells the grocer how long to display the food. The food should remain good for a period of time once you get it home.

The “Best if Used By” is not a purchase or safety date. The date stamped after that term is the date the food should be used by for best flavor or quality. A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for peak quality of the product.

All three terms are guides to help a purchaser determine the quality of the food. The food can be safe and of good quality after any of the three above open-dating terms are used.

This Infographic below explains a bit more:

[source]