Using broken stuff for Bushcrafting
- Thread starter Tony
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being low on funds and/or having only limited access to raw materials means i'm a bit of a "pack rat" and have gotten rather adapted at repurposing over the years.... recent example: a while ago i saw a piece of handle poking up on the beach which turned out to be a machete sticking out of a banana "log" (my guess it got forgotten in the banana which then got washed downriver in a flood and then spent some time floating in the ocean before being washed ashore).as there was a big chunk missing near the tip i reshaped it with a grinder, made a scabbard out of a scrap piece of pvc pipe over the fire and sewed a belt loop from some webbing -- now it's my "beach machete" (blade length ca. 13" ), it's compact size makes it ideal for taking it with me on the bus when visiting friends, too (wrapped into a shirt and carried on my backpack; as everyone here uses machetes == no problem 
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What would people make from say an old washing machine...
Obvious one is a fire-it from the drum, but I'm sure there's plenty of other uses, any thoughts?
Obvious one is a fire-it from the drum, but I'm sure there's plenty of other uses, any thoughts?
Motor for a spit? Although it would likely need to be geared or have a controller, maybe the controller from the machine would work? Otherwise that piece of pork might fly off at 1800rpm
About face the motor, work out a gearing/sails arrangement and you've got a wind generator, or a hydro one if you do it water wheel stylee.
Ancient wringer washing machine. The owner was a machinist, retired and immigrant. He rebuilt the thing into a power grape crusher for wine making. Better than anything I ever bought.
Iv gutted trout with a peice off broken glass when I forgot to bring my knife it worked better than a knife actualy glass is basically man made flint anyways
By far the best woodworking awl Ive ever used is the electricians screwdriver I found in a skip with the tip broken off.
I cut the insulation off the shaft, ground it so the shaft was square in section and a gentle taper to the square point.
I can tap it into timber, give it a quarter turn and remove it with ease.
Try doing that with a round awl.
I cut the insulation off the shaft, ground it so the shaft was square in section and a gentle taper to the square point.
I can tap it into timber, give it a quarter turn and remove it with ease.
Try doing that with a round awl.
I've been trying out different methods of making cheapo candle lanterns,just using jam jars.Oil on water is ok,and i've tried oil on salt,but i thought it was a waste of good salt,so maybe some sand next time i venture to the coast.All this started because i watched a vid on Diwali.Anyway,went to B and M this morning,and they are selling Mason jar copies,some with lids,some with handles,for a quid.I use the wicks that i salvaged from tea lights.
Younger son told me over christmas that he has attached an old bike to an otherwise defunct washing machine so that it can be used to wash clothes on his off-grid finca in Spain. He is currently researching applications of pedal power. He gets his volunteer helpers to recharge their electrical devices usin a bike powered generator. He is currently thinking about barstools with pedal attachments so electric power can be generated as you drink and chat.
He has years of experience in re-purposing broken things on his finca. I asked him to contribute to BCuk as he could benefit from feedback but he claims to be too busy. I also suggested he make a YouTube video and cited British Red as a role model. They'd have a lot to talk about!
He has years of experience in re-purposing broken things on his finca. I asked him to contribute to BCuk as he could benefit from feedback but he claims to be too busy. I also suggested he make a YouTube video and cited British Red as a role model. They'd have a lot to talk about!
Handle came off my stainless steel sieve, managed to get a new one, but, what to do with the old... a little fire bowl , perfect!
Even better when I found a circular stainless steel cake rack, in the charity shop , which fitted the top perfectly , so now it could be used as a grill, or support a pot.
Even better when I found a circular stainless steel cake rack, in the charity shop , which fitted the top perfectly , so now it could be used as a grill, or support a pot.
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