My DIY weekend

[John Fenna]

I spent the weekend up in the woods - but this time with a twist ...
Everything I had as personal kit (and some of the communal kit) was of my own manufacture - or at minimum had some input from me ....
Examples of this - the meths stoves I used were made from beer cans - the wind shields were made from beer cans or an old billycan: My medical/1st Aid/hygiene kits were full of purchased kit but the pouches were made by me ...
My Ax and E-tool were handled by me and the covers were by me but the blades were only shaped and sharpened by me...
You get the idea
The only kit I used that had no input from me were my head torch (I should have used the candle I made) and my undercrackers! - the boxers (thai silk) that I had made were made when I was 7 stone heavier and no longer fit!Load outLoad outSpecial wide hammock matCamera caseCotton Cambric tarpMOD tarp hammockMat into hammock will go!Under sheet/ spare tarp (I do not like sleeping directly on nylon...)

Baby beast rabbit skins on cotton blanketSpare warm kit pillowSpare warm kit (once my Iron Age Costume at work ...) hat from MOD wooly Pully lined with a damaged BuffStoolTripods and stoolHygiene etc kits

 

[John Fenna]

More pictures
Fire and furnitureCooking and eating kitPot hooksKitchen tidyToolsKnives (forged and stock removal)Meths stovesObvious ...

 

[John Fenna]

And more
Making charcloth...
Home made boots And clothingWaterproof from Ventile!Bacon Grill with Garlic Pepper in a folding frypan made from two metal plates...Wax cotton covered blanketMy impressed mates Mark and Roly

 

[Chris]

Brilliant stuff, John. The sort of self sufficiency I one day aspire to. Must be a great feeling to know it was all made by your own hand.

 

[demented dale]

good work . i enjoyed looking at that x

 

[Broch]

Great stuff! (but, come on, you could have brewed your own beer )

 

[John Fenna]

I like making stuff - it started cause I was too poor to buy decent kit but now I generally prefer to make than buy stuff (if it is within my capabilities... torches are not ... but I have made candle lanterns but have none at the moment ... another project coming up I think
I have in the past made wine and beer but now I only have room for flavouring Vodka (using adapted Sloe Gin recipes) and "Port Substitute" made by infusing wine with flavoured Vodka by pouring the wine into the jars of the fruit once the vodka has been taken of filtered and bottled

 

[Mesquite]

Well done for making everything John, very impressive skills

 

[Tengu]

Im just envious you can upload pics with no bother.

(Not easy in the Iron Age...)

 

[bearbait]

Very impressive!

And despite all that work, you still manage to find time to get outdoors!

 

[markheolddu]

Great work as always John, long time no see.

 

[Springchicken]

Wonderful work! But, with so many items made by you, it's a minor miracle that you also find time to use it all! What's your secret?

 

[Aristotle]

That is brilliant, John Fenna.

I too enjoy making things, but that is an impressively extensive collection you have there!

 

[John Fenna]

I have always enjoyed making stuff and as I am trained in clothing design soft stuff comes pretty easy - metal is the big test for me - and any kind of joinery in wood! As I am now 67 years old I have had lots of time to make stuff so far and as I am now retired I have ample time to make more
If you want inspiration for making stuff yourself my thread

MUG LID, RESIN GLUE AND FIRE WINDLASS and more! - things to make
might be of interest .... have fun