I would like to read what general tips folks have that may have been handed down. Things learned from our fathers/mothers // and their parents. People who lived through the depression. I think since I have a few others will likely have more. In that these may not fit any specific category I thought to start a general thread to see if there is any interest. Could be things handed down or just things that work based on your personal experiences. Either way I like to read about others personal experiences.
A few of mine -
Growing up we never purchased chain saw bar oil, we strained used motor oil through a wire sieve - then through a cloth. I can't say this is the best for a saw, but it never hurt ours and it was all we had. I would not hesitate to use in my own saw if that was all I could do.
We fiddled worms - I suspect this is not all this uncommon on this board but it is uncommon with the X-box generation. Cut a small sapling about 8" above grade. Take a hand saw and saw perpendicular on the stump making it and the root system vibrate. If you can feel it in your feet that is perfect. Drives the worms crazy, rake the leaves and hunt.
I grew up on this and think it came out of the depression same as cornbread and sweet milk or butter milk. Nothing was thrown out including day old hard as a brick biscuits. My grand parents made something "they called," soakie biscuits. They would take a stale/hard biscuit and cut in half, pour coffee over it, a dash of milk on the top sprinkled with sugar. I think this may be how I got hooked on coffee . . . I have not had the soakie biscuits in some time though. They are not bad - especially if you farm all day. I still have the coffee though.
Some things I like based on personal experiences-
I sweat a lot and still like to run and work outside quite a bit on weekends. For a sweat rag I use the blue microfiber towels for detailing a car with. They are not as scratchy and they absorb a lot. For running I use only 1/4 a towel. I can keep it squeezed dry with one hand while I run. For camping or working outside I use a whole towel. I will rinse it out with cold water occasionally. For camping you can actually dry off with one. You have to keep wringing it out but they absorb a lot and wring out easy. If weight of a big towel is an issue the small micro fiber ones work. I think they are 12x12 and 16x16.
I use a small fountain pump to pump out mud holes. If you have an inverter on your truck you can attach a water hose to one of the small pumps and pump out a wet spot that needs assistance. I have used one for years and never had a problem with it. I typically set it on something so it is not sucking the mud bottom. This will get most of the water out of a bad spot - greatly improve the time for 100% dry out.
For every day knife use working around the land I really like the inexpensive knife / razor knife combos. Razor blades are dirt cheap (Harbor Freight) and you don't mind so much what you cut with them. The change out of blades is just a few seconds compared to an old Stanley razor knife. If you lose it or break it they are easy on the pocket book. Kobalt makes one for Lowes.
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