I love the guys at conflicted cards – they had a great idea and really did a good job implementing it. They recently gave me the opportunity to both review their 7th set of cards as well as offer a contest.
The financial collapse deck is timely, as I have come to believe that financial collapse is the most likely cause of a collapse of our society. It is a little more educational that the previous sets, but not so much that it will turn away preppers.
Like the other card decks it stirs up heated discussion and makes for a better prepared user.
The conflicted card financial collapse deck is a little harder than the first versions. It takes thought. But, if you have been keeping up with the decks as they come out, you probably are ready for the challenge.
I like the deck, and I especially like how it can also double as a regular deck of cards. This makes it even more useful and makes it more likely to be used.
The military is also sneaky about making decks of cards that use blank space to add information they want their personnel to remember.
Conflicted Cards Contest Financial Collapse Deck is more specialized that the original set, but not so much that the common prepper would find it boring or overly complicated.
These guys understand their audience. and are constantly developing better products. I want to thank them for what they do, and to thank them for sharing with my audience by sponsoring the contest below.
The amazon pictures do not do this product justice. I was offered the chance to review these 36W Cree LED Flood Beam Lights. In all actuality, I was not expecting much. However, the quality of the lights impressed me.
These lights are very solid, and have a very flexible mounting system.
I had every intention of doing a full video of installing them in my off grid shipping container and powering them with a 45 watt solar panel I already have. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and I am stuck in the house this weekend.
As soon as I get a chance, I will install these lights in the shipping container and show how well they work.
I did receive this product at a reduced cost, but after using them, I am going to buy more.
Update:
I have used these in testing my solar set up in preparation for setting it up in my conex box at the land. They are really nice. I like how bright they are and how easy they are to set up. Finally, these lights are not very expensive, and I am thinking about buying a couple more sets and making a light pole from a volleyball net post.
I got to review this collapsible 16.2 ounce water filter bag. The bag comes with a built in .1 micron water filter straw which is capable of cleaning and purifying the dirty water you scooped up.
What I like best about this kit is that you can screw the filter directly into any standard (28mm) plastic bottle.
It filters up to 300 gallons of contaminated water with a single unit. At the recommended survival amount of one gallon per person per day, this is almost a year supply of fresh water in a cheap and portable bundle.
I really liked the idea. The package was very light and compact, and the design was well thought out. I left it with my dad to do more testing, as he is living full time out on the land.
This kit is a nice idea, and it is a good price. It is not as robust as a more expensive set-up. I would not use it for day to day use. I would however use it for kits and to use to give away to friends or to barter.
For a low price water and fire is taken care of. Add in a knife and you have the basis of a cheap kit.
Today I want to take a moment to show you how to make your own gun cleaning kit.
If you care for your things, you surely want them to look good and last long. Your gun might be one of those timeless objects, but it requires quite a lot of attention. If you recently bought a gun, there are plenty maintenance lessons to learn.
Why You Should Make Your Own Gun Cleaning Kit?
As you just made a significant investment, you might want to spare some money. Or, if you are like me and already have some gun cleaning materials from past gun purchases, you may not need to buy a complete kit.
Building your own cleaning kit is a cheap and efficient alternative. Here are some basic tips that will help you get it done.
What Does a Traditional Kit Contain?
First, we need to find out what exactly you need to put include in your gun cleaning kit. The items below are always present in kits you can purchase from specialized shops and online:
Patches: it’s recommendable to opt for cotton pieces which are more efficient
Lubricant or gun oil: this is used to lubricate the receiver components. A gun’s longevity depends on how you lubricate it. After buying a gun, make sure you read all the manufacturer’s instructions relating to lubrication. It is also important to purchase the specific products that are suitable for your weapon.
Additionally, some people like to use a solvent trap so that the dirty cleaning solvent is trapped instead of flowign out of the gun and onto the table.
Solvent to clean your gun: solvents are used to dissolve and remove the carbon and metal deposits in the bore. There’s a wide range of solvents on the market. Try to pick one that is less toxic and an ammonia-free (this substance is harmful to the steel barrels).
Brushes: they have to match the size of the gun’s bore. The can be made from:
Nylon
Brass
Plastic
If you own a rifle is better to go for a brass or a plastic brush. Be careful not to leave the brass brushes in a solvent for too long, it causes damage.
Cloth: cleaning your gun with a microfiber cloth will make it look shiny and faultless.
Cleaning rod: this item is essential for effective gun cleaning. It enables you to reach the parts of the gun you can’t clean by hand. The rod also has to go along with the size of the bore. There are various types of cleaning rods, if you are new at this, ask advice before purchasing one.
Cleaning pad: Be cautious. Prevent solvent from leaking on your carpet or couch using a pad.
How to Build Your Own Kit?
If you are passionate about gunsmith tools, building your own kit will be a piece of cake. Let’s focus now on making it yourself. You don’t have to buy all that stuff to clean your gun.
Your kit must be provided with the necessary containers to accommodate all the useful items. If you can sew, it’s great to make a custom size container out of an old piece of leather.
Some cleaning items can be replaced with homemade options:
The rod:
Instead of buying one you can replace it with a piece of string. This will be pulled through the bore along with the patches. You can easily clean most firearms using this improvisation. You just need a string that’s thin enough to go through the barrel. For my Mosin Nagant, I even go so far as using a wooden dowel as a cleaning rod
The brush:
This is one of your kit’s elements that can be replaced with other household objects. If you need a nylon brush for your gun, you might as well use an old toothbrush. You can cut it down to reduce its size and make it fit into the kit.
Cotton swabs:
You definitely have these things around the house. Cotton swabs can clean spots that are hard to reach by hand. Put them together in a plastic bag or an old container and include them in your homemade
The patches:
These items can’t miss from your gun cleaning kit. You have plenty object at home that can provide you the right material to make your own You could use old clothes or kitchen towels. Choose cotton items and mind the size of the gun before you start cutting them. Smaller bores require small thin patches and wider bores need thicker, larger pieces.
The bore cleaner:
You have to use a material that won’t wear off too quickly. You can choose a strong nylon thread. Measure its length according to the barrel of your gun. Then make a loop at one and so that you’ll be able to drag the patch through the bore. Mind the loop’s dimension, it must to match the bore’s diameter. Then secure the knot with a drop of resistant glue. The last step cut the thread and burn the ends with a lighter, so they don’t fray.
The oil container:
You will need it to store the gun oil. Get an old small plastic container. Picks something that allows the oil to come out drop by drop.
Flashlight:
Always have a flashlight in your kit because it will help you spot any imperfections you need to remove.
Toothpicks:
They are quite effective in rinsing the dirt that won’t go away using the brush. Toothpicks are useful to lubricate narrow spots that are hard to reach.
Pack all these items in your tool container. Make them fit inside compactly.
In Conclusion
One last piece of advice. Don’t forget gun safety while cleaning, you would not want to have a negligent discharge while attempting to work on your firearm.
These are the basic things you need to craft your own handmade gun kit. It’s not hard to come up with these items. Lastly, with a little bit of patience and a practical mindset, you’ll have your kit ready in no time.
There may come a time when government restrictions severely limit not only access to firearms but the tools and means to repair and maintain them, or you may someday find yourself in the boondocks with a busted weapon.
That’s where the guerrilla gunsmith comes in.
Ragnar Benson has had experience as a guerrilla gunsmith repairing “junk” guns in some tough places around the world, and here he shares some innovative ways to patch up, cobble together and otherwise make operational everything from antique rifles still found in remote war zones to modern firearms suffering from appalling abuse.
Drawing on lessons and stories from backwoods experts he’s worked with under desperate conditions in Africa, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan and beyond, Ragnar tells how to employ last-resort but effective techniques to remove hopelessly stuck rounds and other barrel obstructions, straighten bent barrels, replace lost parts, smooth out dented magazines, make repairs to some pretty hopeless stocks, scrounge up workable ammo and more.
These are last-ditch, do-it-yourself methods, but they may be all you’ll have to fall back on deep in the bush or with your back to the wall, when the only things between you and the enemy are a rifle and the know-how to make it work.
If you care for your things, you surely want them to look good and last long. Your gun might be one of those timeless objects, but it requires quite a lot of attention. If you recently bought a gun, there are plenty maintenance lessons to learn.
