Articles | Page 116 of 264

6 Oct 2016

How to Build a Wine Bottle Torch

Lighting is very important for Preppers, campers, and honestly everybody else.

Today’s article will show how to make a lamp out of an old wine bottle.

This works well as a tiki torch, and can be used outside with citronella oil to repel bugs.

Besides being a source of light and a way to repel bugs, this is a classy piece of decoration as well as an excuse to buy more wine.

Of course if you don’t want to buy more wine you can always make some homemade wine.

Materials

Empty Wine Bottle – Use any kind glass bottle with a 1” diameter neck
Teflon Tape
Copper Top Plate Connector (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
1” Split Ring Hanger (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
1/2” x 3/8” Copper Coupling
1/2” Copper Cap
Two Hex Nuts (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
Two #10 x 1” Zinc Plated Wood Screws (if your mounting it to wood)
3/8”-16 Zinc Plated Threaded Rod (a 3’ rod will cut down to 8, 4-1/2” rods)
Tiki Replacement Wick
Torch Fuel

Tools

Channel lock pliers
Adjustable wrench
Hacksaw
Screwdriver
Funnel

Procedure

Hanger

Position the Top Plate Connector on your mounting surface and mark the holes for where the screws will go.
Install Plate connector and screw in the 3/8”-16 Rod until it stops.
Thread the two Hex Nuts on to the Rod and tighten one all the way down at the point where the Rod meets the Top Connector Plate. Leave the other Hex Nut at the front end so it can be used to secure the Split Ring Hanger.
Thread on the Split Ring Hanger just enough so that the Rod is flush with the inside of the ring. Turn the 2nd Hex Nut counter-clockwise to snug it up against the Split Ring Hanger.

Torch

Carefully and tightly wrap the 1/2” end of the Coupling with your Teflon Tape.
Continue building up the tape until it fits very snugly into the opening of your bottle.
Insert the Wick into the Coupling until it sticks out about 1/4”.
The Tiki replacement wicks are about 3/8” in diameter so they fit well.
Unscrew the Split Ring Hanger on one side and position the bottle neck into the ring.
Flip the front half of the ring back into place and tighten down the Hanger evenly on both sides. You may need to loosen the other side to make sure both sides are an even tightness. (Don’t over tighten the Hanger. You don’t want to break the glass.)
Use a funnel to fill the bottle with your favorite torch oil.
Insert the Coupling & Wick into the top of the bottle and twist it snugly into place. Give the Wick a few minutes to absorb the oil before you try to light it.

Use the Copper Cap to keep the Wick dry when you’re not using your torch.

2 Oct 2016

Winwin Bluetooth Earphones Review

Gear Review: Winwin Bluetooth Earphones — Buy at Amazon

#WinWin_BT_Earphone

I am not normally a big fan of bluetooth headsets. people talking on ear pieces normally causes irrational thoughts. However, I do like to listen to music, and lately I have been driving to places my normal radio won’t pick up. Additionally, while working I like being able to listen to the music I have synced to my phone. This is where the Winwin earphone works best.

This small bluetooth headset syncs with any bluetooth enabled device to allow the wearer to listen to music. It works great when my child wants to hear 21 Pilots “Stressed Out” on repeat for a 2 hour drive.

I especially like how it comes with a second wired earbud do that I can listen in both ears if I choose. This gives me the freedom to hear more music, or stay situationally aware.

This was a pretty fun product to review, I got to walk around listening to Don Williams without disturbing anyone.

I like these earbuds better than the bluetooth headsets, as listening to music is cool, but those people wandering around talking to themselves is annoying.

I did not get paid to review the winwin earphones, but I did get them at a reduced price in exchange for my honest opinion.

2 Oct 2016

Island Miracles Essential Oil Review

Gear Review: Island Miracles Essential Oil — Buy at Amazon

#islandsmiracle
I like using essential oils, they work great as aromatherapy to help me unwind after a stressful day. I also use essential oil to solve problems. I use lemongrass oil to lure bees into my swarm traps. I have used tea tree oil extensively as an antiseptic and anti fungal agent. It is the only thing that works on my chronic ear infections (even though studies do suggest that undiluted tea tree oil is connected to some hearing loss). I have even used the patchouli oil as an insect repellent.

Essential oil sets can be expensive, or they can contain lesser quality oils – this set was a good value and had good quality oils. My wife uses these oils more than I do. I normally just stick with the oils with antibiotic properties, but my wife likes the aroma therepy oils. Seems like the shower smells of lavender means she had a hard day at work.

When Island essentials offered my this kit in exchange for an honest review, I quickly accepted. Having a kit of oils makes life easier. over 700 amazon reviews show this to be a good quality product. These are pure oils and not just expensive fragrance. It is a great value and I recommend this set.

25 Sep 2016

The Importance of Wilderness Survival Skills

Wilderness survival can be one of the most challenging adventures of a lifetime. Being in the wild and with nature can be a profound experience.

However, things in the wilderness may not be just about sightseeing, exploration and fun. If one desires to venture the wild and to keep alive staying there, he should know wilderness survival skills.

Get Trained:

To learn the basic wilderness survival skills, one should enroll in a survival skill program offered by a survival school. Participating in survival training seminar could also be an option. Various schools and institutions may have their own survival programs. Nevertheless, the programs offered may integrate the basic survival skills.
Survival schools may give instructions on aboriginal survival skills. One can check out survival schools or survival programs in local community or schools. It is also possible to learn the wilderness survival skills by reading survival articles on some websites and practicing them in local wilderness areas.

One should know the how to, where to, and what to in when it comes to wilderness survival skills. When staying in the wild, it is all about survival. Tending for the personal needs is of the utmost concern. Self-defense may also have to be learned as the dangers in the wild will likely be numerous and unexpected. Optimism is the best attitude that can be employed in addition to courage, faith and hope. There are various things that should be considered when having a trek or staying in the wilderness.

Skill is Important

The importance of wilderness survival training is that individuals will have a greater chance to stay alive in harsh conditions thanks to first-hand experience with the necessary techniques. By participating in a wilderness survival course, individuals may realize the importance of life in a more traditional way while learning first hand from an expert. Individuals may also have a better insight on what to do in the event a survival situation may come unexpectedly.

Learning the necessary skills that can be applied in the wilderness is perhaps one of the great academic achievements in life. Although most people tend to avoid dangers as much as possible by living in an environment where they think they are safe, people should also comprehend those things in life, particularly those that are extremely challenging, demand physical and mental competence. Involving oneself in wilderness survival program can help him overcome the various challenges in life.

Practice Skills

One can develop or nurture his abilities physically and mentally when his focus is all about survival.

Before you begin your trip into the wilderness, there are some basic skills you must learn. There are four basic needs that must be met to survive. Warmth, water, sleep and food must be provided for wilderness survival.

It can be very challenging to maintain body warmth at night in some areas.

The human body has a very narrow temperature range. You must maintain your temperature in that range for survival.
Water makes up the majority of the human body. Although you can survive for a day or two without water, you should not wait until you are out of water before you start looking.

A lack of sleep can greatly affect your cognitive ability. You may experience hallucinations and be unable to make a rational decision as to your wilderness survival.
Humans can go without food for a couple of weeks. Food may not be your first priority, but considering that you are using many calories on your trek, you will need an adequate amount of emergency food supply to maintain your stability.

Summary

Wilderness survival requires a great deal of preparedness. You need to prepare for the worst case scenario and hope it doesn’t happen. Be sure you have the right gear with you. Learn what would be the proper equipment for your trip. Your requirements for a week long backpacking trip will vary greatly from a day trip on the trails. Never go out on a trip without letting someone know where you are going. They need to know your route, your destination and the expected return time. There are services that will call family and/or friends if you do not return on schedule or within a reasonable time frame.

Dave’s Note: To me I think adaptability and mindset are high on the list – right after air. To illustrate that point, I have a link to an interesting article on the multiple uses of tampons (don’t worry plugging gunshot wounds is not on the list – that has been discredited)

Gear Review: Hobbymate 28 Led Solar Garden Light with Motion Sensor

25 Sep 2016

Hobbymate 28 Led Solar Garden Light with Motion Sensor Review

Having a shipping container out in the woods is a blessing, but not having power can cause problems. When Hobbymate asked if I would review their 28 Led Solar Garden Light with Motion Sensor I jumped at the chance. While I did not get paid for this post, Hobbymate did provide the lamp at no charge.

I haven’t had a chance to get to the land this weekend as I have a terrible ear infection that got into my throat. I am pretty miserable, so instead of bouncing down the back-roads to get down there, I “temporarily” mounted the light on my goat pen to test the light.

I think I like it there, so what will probably happen is I buy another lamp for the land.

The device was a little smaller than I expected, but this is a good thing. It is very bight and the batteries last a long time, so a smaller size gives me more mounting options.

This light is pretty neat as the PIR sensor detects people. It also detects light. The solar panel on the top of the unit charges all day long, then as it gets dark the lamp dimly illuminates the area under the device.

When I approach the light the sensor detects me and then brightly lights up the area. It says on bright mode for 20 seconds after motion stops. This is pretty useful when going out in the early morning to feed the animals.

In my mind, this thing is a good value, it costs less than $20, and is designed for outdoor use. I think several of these mounted strategically around the house are a great security option as well as being very convenient to use.