Misc tips: cheap buckles, candles, more
Here's a collection on misc tips.
- Get inexpensive plastic clasps, buckles, and D-rings for repairing backpacks, bags and other items. Buy cat and dog collars at the dollar store and remove buckles.
- My dollar store has metal perforated pencil holders and small office pad holders. Since these are made of metal they might be useful for making small camping stoves. Or as a strainer/pre-filter for dirty water.
- Mix epoxy in plastic or metal bottle caps.
- Make candles by saving old glass candle holders, then buying new wicks. Melt the old wax in a metal can in a double boiler, then pour in a heat-safe glass container. Other heat-safe glass containers are: hot fudge jars, cheese jars (where you microwave the cheese to melt it). These jars are designed to take the heat.
I have tried making wicks out of cotton string but they did not work for me. I don't know why so I just buy my wicks from the hobby store.
- My dollar store also carries catholic prayer candles. These are 10-12 inch high glass jars that have a long-burning candle. Great for power outages, camping, or any where you need light. Since the glass is heat-safe you can refill them easily.
- Cheap tent stakes could be made from ice picks from the dollar store.
- If you want to make a knife in your own shape, you might practice on a dollar store knife and simply shape it to the shape you want. Then use real steel for your "real" knife.
- You might also find cheap metal pots and convert them to a wood or alcohol stove.
- Tampons are made from pure cotton. Use the fuzzy part, fray it out, and use it for tinder.
- www.cheaperthandirt.com has great prices on camping, hunting, and survival equipment. I got an East german alcohol stove kit (cook pot, stove, alcohol bottle, wind shield, pan with handle) for $7 (plus shipping). I also got the Swiss Volcano stove, about $8 I think. And they have Esbit and other fuel tabs and fuel tab stoves, lots of surplus stuff and gun parts. TONS of ammo (though it looks like cheap eastern European stuff).
