lets discuss preps for disasters

[Soundguy]

I've seen those powder coat kits. I've thought about one for small parts for tractro repair.

I already relaod for about 40 calibers now. have decent amount of consumables on hand.. and as I said. lead casting supplies are starting to show up each week now, and by the end of may, I should be set to cast, with a starting load of about 25# of lead accumulated on hand.

The group I'm in, we already make our own soft and hard wax lubes, wads, patches and overshot and overpowder cards. Have been experementing with making percussion caps etc. Once we get rolling with the lead, our relaoding costs will drop about another 30%.

As a side benefit,t he casting will make my 69 caliber smoothbore musket much much much cheaper to shoot.

 

[SirReal63]

Anyone ever used a freeze dryer? I keep hearing ads for them on the radio ... a casual google search shows they are $$$$.

We have been looking at them, compared to what freeze dried food costs, it could be a huge savings in the long run. Unfortunately there is a huge learning curve in freeze drying foods, some work better than others. This is one of those purchases better shared by a few families to keep the individual cost down.

 

[Garycw]

I wonder how much advantage of freeze drying vs just dehydrating. I've seen small freeze dryers around $500 vs $50 for dehydrators

 

[hutchman]

I wonder how much advantage of freeze drying vs just dehydrating. I've seen small freeze dryers around $500 vs $50 for dehydrators

Been reading stuff and looking at pictures like this:
Dehydrating – Freeze Dryer vs Dehydrator | TorontoFoodLab

 

[SirReal63]

If you are looking at freeze driers, these are about the best price we have seen.
Products – Harvest Right

 

[hutchman]

Harbor Freight may come to the rescue ....

DIY Freeze Dryer - Makers Local 256

 

[NorTracNY]

Those freeze driers sure look like a big expense, both in purchase and energy cost for each food, compared to the advantages of a normal dehydrator. With a normal dehydrator and vacuum sealer you can get 5-20 years.

 

[hutchman]

.... looks like serious freeze drying takes a LONG time!

Finally Got My Freeze-Dryer

 

[ch1ch2]

The only disaster I worry about is an E.M.P.

 

[Garycw]

The only disaster I worry about is an E.M.P.

What about the other 99 possibilities? Granted you can't prep for everything. Cover the basics and you should be good for many things. WATER, food , ways to produce more water & food, shelter, protection, back up power, xtra meds, Rx eyeware etc....

 

[ch1ch2]

What about the other 99 possibilities? Granted you can't prep for everything. Cover the basics and you should be good for many things. WATER, food , ways to produce more water & food, shelter, protection, back up power, xtra meds, Rx eyeware etc....

EMP will cause you to need all of those at once.
Each thing can be handled if it is the only thing.
When everyone across the nation needs them all at the same is when we have the problem.
North Korea can cause that problem.

 

[hutchman]

3rd Annual Prepper Festival, New Castle VA. Sat. May 14th

Prepper Festival - Prepper Training Workshops, Speakers, & Vendors

 

[Egon]

Disaster Preparedness?

Read about the preparation time in the Ft. McMurray Fire! Not even a chance to get home. How do you prep for that?

 

[paulsharvey]

Disaster Preparedness?

Read about the preparation time in the Ft. McMurray Fire! Not even a chance to get home. How do you prep for that?

You'll never be prepared for everything. If your at least somewhat ready for most stuff, your ahead of most people.

 

[3930dave]

Speed - that is the value of a Bug Out Bag, or the other names it is known by (link).

Bug-out bag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Takes discipline to set up and maintain one, but can make a big difference when seconds count.

Fuel for vehicles was another key issue in that evacuation from Fort Mac (same as most mass evacuations) - good lesson in keeping vehicles topped up.

When I travel in remote parts of Canada in my own vehicle, I take at least 40L of extra fuel with me. Those 10 cans of extra fuel racked up on expedition vehicles aren't just for show.

"Prepper" can have some negative connotations today, in certain circles. Many of my grandparents generation would have considered most of todays prepper values to be common sense/basic skills.

Rgds, D.

 

[kcflhrc]

Just remember, save the last bullet for yourself

 

[tractorshopper]

Have a friend who is over the top with prepping. Not bashing it, but it can be carried pretty far. Each of us has our own ideas about how much stuff and which items to have. My friend carries this to levels way beyond anything I would.

Anyway, I recently bought an IBC (270 gallon poly tote) to use to water my garden since I put my garden in at my property this year and not at my house. My property doesn't have a water tap and I'm too cheap to spend $2,500 to have one put in for just watering the garden.

I had this IBC in the back of my truck and was at the softball field after work where our daughters were having practice. My buddy came over the field after work and saw the tote in my truck. He was real serious and asked me what that was for. I told him I had bought it to carry water over to the property to water the garden when necessary. He then asked how much it was. I told him. He said he might need a couple of them and asked where I got it. I told him that too and naively said, but you have water at your property so if you put in a big garden you wouldn't need these. He said, no, I'm thinking for long term drinking water storage just in case the govt shuts everything down. I got a kick out of it. I told him he can buy filter straws for $20 that can do that many gallons each. Maybe one day he'll be laughing, but right now I am.

 

[3930dave]

Have a friend who is over the top with prepping. Not bashing it, but it can be carried pretty far. Each of us has our own ideas about how much stuff and which items to have. My friend carries this to levels way beyond anything I would.

Anyway, I recently bought an IBC (270 gallon poly tote) to use to water my garden since I put my garden in at my property this year and not at my house. My property doesn't have a water tap and I'm too cheap to spend $2,500 to have one put in for just watering the garden.

I had this IBC in the back of my truck and was at the softball field after work where our daughters were having practice. My buddy came over the field after work and saw the tote in my truck. He was real serious and asked me what that was for. I told him I had bought it to carry water over to the property to water the garden when necessary. He then asked how much it was. I told him. He said he might need a couple of them and asked where I got it. I told him that too and naively said, but you have water at your property so if you put in a big garden you wouldn't need these. He said, no, I'm thinking for long term drinking water storage just in case the govt shuts everything down. I got a kick out of it. I told him he can buy filter straws for $20 that can do that many gallons each. Maybe one day he'll be laughing, but right now I am.

Many things, taken to extreme, can look like..... let's just say..... somebody has their tinfoil hat wrapped too tight..... unfortunately, a lot of people who could probably learn a thing or 20 from your buddy use that perception as an excuse to do nothing for their family/household.

A shop near me has a sign that says Independence Requires Competence. To many people, that sounds like a lot of work - sometimes it is.

Or, maybe your buddy in the Prepper Arms Race just had a problem with you having one up on him ? :laughing:

Rgds, D.

 

[hutchman]

I told him he can buy filter straws for $20 that can do that many gallons each. Maybe one day he'll be laughing, but right now I am.

... like this?

Sawyer Mini Water Filter - Prepper Festival

 

[Soundguy]

You'll never be prepared for everything. If your at least somewhat ready for most stuff, your ahead of most people.

A 'go bag' in your vehicle helps a little.