Preppers are huge DIY fans. Most of us are prepping for disaster on a shoestring budget and diligently adding to our survival stockpiles in an organized and money-conscious manner. Some self-reliance and self-defense items simply have to be purchased commercially, like my favorite rifle, surprisingly delicious long-term storage food, and advanced first aid supplies. However, a multitude of cheap survival DIY must-haves do exist.
There is no better time to review your prepping plan than at the beginning of a new year. This year, like all years, is 52 weeks long. Factoring a DIY prepping project into each weekend spaces out the nominal cost and still allows for plenty of time for other weekend survival and family recreational activities.
If you have already accomplished one of the DIY preparedness tips on the list, share your experience and add tips for other simple SHTF projects with Survival Based readers in the comments section below!
Prepare your children and grandchildren to survive a disaster!
Make Biodiesel Fuel in a Bucket
Fuel will be one of the first items to disappear during a long-term disaster. If the SHTF scenario involves a power grid down situation, semi trucks will not be able to deliver fuel and the full pumps at the corner gas station will no longer work.
Supplies
• 32 ounces vegetable oil – corn oil, canola oil, and soybean oil seem to work the best when making biodiesel fuel
• 27 ounces methanol
• ½ ounce sodium hydroxide lye
• Protective rubber gloves, safety glasses, and quality dust mask to cover the mouth
• Mason jars or other glass or plastic container with a firm-fitting lid
• Heat source such as a camp stove, charcoal grill or wood-burning stove
• Cast-iron cook pot
Instructions
1. Gear up with the protective items. Do not skimp on the skin coverings. Inhaling the fumes could likely prove fatal; methanol is toxic and absorbed into the skin quickly. Making biodiesel fuel is a rather simple process, but if proper safety precautions are not adhered to and the fuel is not made in a well-ventilated area, death would be a probable.
2. Pour the oil into the cast-iron cook pot while stirring continuously.
3. Heat the oil until it reaches approximately 100 degrees.
4. While it is still hot, pour the oil into the chosen glass container.
5. Carefully pour the methanol and lye into the container and screw the lid on tightly. Do not inhale the fumes while pouring.
6. Shake the container continuously over the course of a half hour.
7. Allow the homemade biodiesel fuel time to settle as it sits in a warm spot for 48 hours. When the fuel is ready, you will be able to easily see that the ingredients in the container have separated. The fuel will be at the top of the jar and the glycerin will have settled at the bottom.
8. Store the fuel in a cool, dry place until ready for use.
Heater in a Can
This lightweight and portable heater takes up little storage space, costs virtually nothing to make, and can provide heat for warmth, cooking, or boiling water in just minutes. Make multiple can heaters and store their necessary ingredients inside for quick use; they make perfect survival gifts as well!
Supplies
• 1 pint rubbing alcohol
• Empty metal can — This can be a thoroughly washed paint can, metal pail, or large coffee can.
• Firestarter – roll of toilet paper, gallon ziplock bag filled with dryer lint, found items such as dry twigs and leaves, or scrap fabric.
Instructions
1. Place the firestarter inside the can.
2. Pour the bottle of rubbing alcohol on top of the toilet paper.
3. When ready to use, carefully light the alcohol with a lighter or a match. To avoid burning your arm, light a piece of paper or a stick and use it to ignite the fuel.
Make a PVC Bow
Guns and bows, and all of the supplies needed for them to function properly, are prepping staples. Our tribe (my favored term for mutual assistance group) has a variety of handguns, rifles, and plenty of ammo and reloading materials. Bows are also an emerging part of our survival self-defense plan. Making arrows to replenish their store-bought counterparts is not a difficult task, and neither is making an emergency SHTF bow from PVC pipe.
A homemade compound bow is not only excellent backup for your backup commercially made bow, but would also likely be an excellent barter item. Stockpiling barter items is an integral part of our long-range TEOTWAWKI plan, but be careful when trading or bartering any type of weapon or ammunition, and make certain that the items will not one day be used against you and your loved ones.
Supplies
• 55 inches of bow string
• One 4‘ 5” long, 3/8” thick fiberglass rod
• Roll of duct tape
• Roll of electrical wrap
• One 5’ long piece of ¾-inch thick schedule 40 PVC pipe
• 12 inches of pipe insulation for the handle of the emergency bow
• Can of WD-40
• Hacksaw
• One 5’ long and ½” thick piece of schedule 40 PVC pipe
• Rough grit sandpaper
• Power drill
• 1/8” drill bit
• Metal file
• Permanent marker
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Camouflage spray paint, optional
Instructions
1. Measure the diameter of the ½” thick piece of PVC pipe with the measuring tape. Mark the center point and draw a line from top to bottom with the marker.
2. Use the saw to cut along the line and split the piece of pipe in half.
3. Use the WD-40 to spray the outside of one of the pipe pieces as well as the inside of both ends of the ¾” thick piece of pipe. Save the unoiled half of pipe piece for use when making a second bow.
4. Push one piece of the ½” thick pipe into the ¾” piece of pipe. Push the pipe against the ground or something hard to accomplish this task, but take care not to push too hard and crack the pipe pieces.
5. Using the marker and measuring tape, measure ¾ ” from the end of both sides of the pipe after fully inserting the smaller pipe.
6. Drill a hole onto the marks. Make sure the hole cuts through the piece of interior pipe as well.
7. With the hacksaw, cut across the opening of the pipe on each end to create a slit for the bow string. Stop cutting just before reaching the drilled holes.
8. Use the metal file to smooth out the rough edges created from the drilling and sawing.
9. File the same spots with the sandpaper to further eradicate any rough edges.
10. Wrap the pipe insulation, fashion into a handle shape, and place onto the center of the archery bow where the hand will go.
11. Secure the pipe insulation firmly into place with the duct tape.
12. Wrap the fiberglass rod in a layer of electrical tape followed by a layer of duct tape.
13. Slide the rod into the PVC pipes to help add a bit of substance to the bow and to enhance draw weight.