Knowledge Weighs Nothing

How To Build A DIY Generator From A Lawnmower (UPDATED)

DIY lawn mower generator

So you know getting a backup generator is a great idea, but you just can’t afford to purchase one? Well, could you afford $50 give or take, for a small backup generator?

If you search around at yard sales or your local junkyard or landfill you should be able to pick up most of the bits required to build this DIY lawnmower generator.   There are a few extras you’ll likely need to purchase, but you could bring this in for around $50.

I have listed several different tutorials below that show how simple and affordable it is to build a basic generator out of an old lawnmower engine.

Below is a great video showing how to build a lawnmower generator.

This is a really interesting and entertaining video tutorial. I think a lot of the build is overkill, but it does give you an idea of what can easily be accomplished with some cheap/free scrap parts and a little DIY skill. I particularly like the fact the generator was built onto the frame of the lawnmower, rather than removing the lawnmower engine and mounting it on another base.

Here is a different, written tutorial for DIY generator built from a lawnmower. As with all these lawnmower generators, it isn’t going to power your whole house, it won’t run your AC, heating or large kitchen appliances; it will, however, keep the lights on and power smaller electronics etc.

Additionally, here are links to two further written tutorials for building lawnmower generators for you to check out lawnmower generator tutorial from doityourself.com & and lawnmower generator tutorial from theepiccenter.com

 (Image used from Oliver Motorized)

How To Make Mountain Pies: Perfect For Campfires & Backyard Firepits!

How to make mountain pies

If you don’t know what a mountain pie is, it is basically a grilled sandwich that is cooked on a campfire, in a small device called a mountain pie maker. Mountain pies are also sometimes known as ‘hobo pies’.

A mountain pie maker is like a small cast iron skillet with a lid and a long handle. Mountain pie makers can be purchased for between $15 and $50. The one we use and highly recommend is the Rome 1705 cast iron mountain pie maker. It can be purchased from Amazon for around $20. If you purchase one, I can all but guarantee you that it will become one of your favourite things ever. In fact, you’ll probably go on to buy several… We did.

mountain pie maker
Rome 1705 cast iron mountain pie maker

How To Make Mountain Pies

You prepare your mountain pie, the same as if you were using a grilled sandwich (toastie) maker at home. We like to butter the outside of the bread (so it crisps and doesn’t stick) and then add our fillings in the sandwich. Our favourites are cheese, cheese and onion, and cheese and ham.

Once assembled, place your sandwich in the mountain pie maker, close it, and hold it in the campfire to cook (think roasting marshmallows but bigger). Cooking time can vary depending on the size and heat of the campfire so check often until your sandwich is cooked to your preference. Once you have made a few mountain pies you will get the hang of it.

When ready, very carefully remove your sandwich from the mountain pie maker. Please be very careful when doing this as the cast iron mountain pie maker is obviously extremely hot.

Now enjoy! Mountain pies are truly one of the most delicious and satisfying things you can cook outdoors on a campfire or firepit. We make them on the firepit in the back yard all the time. The kids absolutely love making them.

If you are considering getting a mountain pie maker, we have several of the Rome 1705 mountain pie makers and we can highly recommend them.

 

AMAZING Survival Hack For Getting Unstuck On Icy Roads

Get unstuck on icy roads

First things first – you should always carry a snow shovel in your vehicle during winter, it can literally mean the difference between life and death… You should also put together a small kit of essential survival items in case you have to spend the night in your car or hike miles home in freezing weather.

Even if you have a snow shovel, if the road is frozen hard, even after digging out around the wheels, it can still be difficult to gain traction and get un-stuck. In this situation the tip below help you get traction and get moving again. It can also work even if you didn’t have a snow shovel, so couldn’t dig out first, but only if the snow isn’t too deep.

This tip will only really work on hard surfaces such as roads, driveways, and car parks, but here’s what to do –

  • If there is snow and you have a snow shovel, dig out as much snow around the wheels as possible. No snow shovel, skip to next step!
  • Now take out the floor mats in your car, turn them upside down and place them in front/underneath the wheels which are spinning, this will obviously depend on whether your car is front or rear wheel drive.
  • Jump back in the car and try to drive forward slowly and steadily.  If you escape, be sure to run back and pick up your floor mats. If your car simply moved over the floor mats and immediately got stuck again, you can keep repeating the process and inch forward.

Please share this page with other – most of us have floor mats in our vehicles, but I am not sure many of us would consider using them to help us get un-stuck in ice and snow.

(Photo from:  Daniel Veazey)

Home Remedy For Earwax & Ear Infections

Earache home remedy

This home remedy is actually better than some of the over-the-counter solutions you can purchase from the pharmacy; most of the drops for swimmer’s ear (mild infection) contain just isopropyl alcohol to dry and wash out the ear, but the home remedy below contains rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.

The rubbing alcohol and white vinegar combination in this home remedy work together to break down earwax, dry the ear, fight infection and soothe the pain. The addition of white vinegar makes this home remedy way more effective, as white vinegar is an antimicrobial, or antibiotic and it fights infection, that otherwise might require a prescription antibiotic.

For anything other than a mild to moderate ear infection/trapped water/wax build-up, go see your doctor first for a proper diagnosis, as you may require different treatment or stronger prescription antibiotics.

Making And Using This Home Remedy

You will need – some rubbing alcohol, white vinegar and teaspoon.

It couldn’t be easier to make – mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part rubbing alcohol.

To use – take one teaspoon (5 millilitres) of the mixture, tilt your head to one side and pour the mixture into your ear. Leave your head tilted for 30-60 seconds and then sit upright and allow the mixture to run out of your ear. Do this twice a day to treat an ear infection and clear out earwax and trapped water.

Note – If you see no signs of improvement after 3 days, I recommend you go see your doctor. Also, this remedy is not recommended for perforated eardrums. If you have perforated your eardrum, there is nothing much that can be done other than to take pain-relief. I know this as I perforated my eardrum last year, it was very painful and took three months to heal.

I am not a doctor or medical expert – I have simply researched this very popular home remedy recipe online to a level that satisfies my own needs. As with all home remedies we post about, I recommend you do further research to be sure you are happy and satisfied before trying the home remedy.

DIY Quick Fix For Solar Lights

fix solar garden lights

Solar lights like the picture above are in 90% of American gardens and yards, they make gardens look awesome, plus these little solar lights actually double up as emergency lighting if the power goes out. In fact, there is a whole load emergency preparedness, SHTF and homesteading uses for these solar lights. These solar lights are cheap, but often don’t work so well, and when they do, they normally only last a few months. A lot of people throw them away and just buy new ones… What a waste!

What many people don’t realize is that these solar lights usually come with very, very cheap/poor quality standard sized rechargeable batteries.  These batteries are usually rubbish, to begin with, but they deteriorate and lose their ability to hold their charge, very quickly. It is basically the batteries that fail within the lights that stops them working. The good news is – you can easily replace these batteries!

If you actually replace the batteries with some good quality rechargeable batteries, you’ll likely be blown away at home much brighter the lights are, and how much longer they burn brightly throughout the night. They will literally be better than when they were new! The crazy this is – decent solar light rechargeable batteries don’t cost much anyway, so it’s a no-brainer given how useful these lights can be.

If you follow the simple steps below I will explain how to change the batteries in your solar lights.

These lights are usually really easy to open. Usually, you’ll just need a screwdriver to take out one or two screws and you are done. Once open, check which sized batteries are used in your particular lights (usually AA or AAA) and then replace them with some better quality, but still very cheap solar rechargeable batteries.

Do this and you will have much brighter solar lights that hold their charge for way longer than before, and they will last for years before needing replacing.

Free Firewood: Heat Your Home 100% For Free! (UPDATED)

How to get free firewood

With the cost of living skyrocketing in areas all throughout the country, many consumers are seeking out cheap, or preferably free, ways to curve their utility bills. When it comes to heating your home throughout the winter months, a wood-burning stove effectively warms your living spaces without burning through your bank account. To further deepen your monthly energy costs, stop buying your firewood and turn to these completely free, and completely legal, ways of gathering perfectly good free firewood.

Ask Tree Surgeons/Arborists For Free Firewood

Update: We use this method every year now. It is the only method here that we need to use, to get all the firewood we need (for FREE). We simply get the green, unprocessed wood delivered in the spring and early summer. I then saw, chop it, and store it for use the following winter. 

Most tree surgeons (Arborists) are clever enough to realize that logging, seasoning and selling their hardwood waste is a no-brainer. However, there’s only really any value in hardwood logs, as this is what most people want to burn. This leaves a lot of fresh softwood being wasted or chipped for biomass (that usually just gets taken off their hands in bulk for little or no money). If you are willing to burn softwood (and if it is free then you should be willing!), it’s not too difficult to find a local tree surgeon/arborist who will be happy to dump loads of cords/tree rings on your driveway for free. This literally is an untapped resource for free firewood! All you need to do is cut it up and season it. Contact some of your local companies and ask. Some will ignore you or say no. Some may offer to deliver loads for $20 etc, but some will also be happy to help you out for free, as it helps them out.

We do this and get all the firewood to heat our home for free. As we have built relationships with a few local companies, they also sometimes deliver hardwood loads as well. If they are cutting several trees close to us, it is easier for them to quickly dump loads with us, rather than travel further to their depot each time during the day.

At the beginning of this year, we had several large loads of tree rings and branches delivered. None of it was perfect firewood, there was some very wet (but not rotten) oak that had been laying on the ground for sometime and some green sycamore and pine. This was all sawn, chopped and stored to season throughout the summer. We now have more than enough free firewood to get us through the winter, without spending a penny on heating. If you want free firewood, get in touch with local arborists!

A note on burning softwood: providing it is well dried and seasoned (which takes half the time of hardwoods!), and you get your chimney/flue cleaned once or twice a year, there is absolutely no problem with burning pines and other softwoods. Sure softwood burns through a bit quicker, but it is not an issue when it is free!

Free Firewood From Construction Tree Debris

As construction crews clear the land for new developments etc, there may be a significant amount of heavy brush or tree branches left in their wake. While some construction companies sell wood to firewood merchants or lumber yards, smaller branches and brush are often available free of charge as long as you receive permission from the construction manager. It is always worth asking when you see new developments in your area.

Find Free Firewood On eBay, Gumtree & FreeCycle

Every day, there are people in your area giving away waste wood (pallets etc) and wood from trees and bushes they have cut down on their properties. People without wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are only too happy to give their wood away for free, rather than having to dispose of it themselves. All you have to do is go around and pick up the wood. Check eBay, Gumtree and Freecycle and other similar websites, and search in your areas for free firewood and logs etc. Some people will charge a small amount, but most are only too happy to have someone to come over and take it away for them.

Gather Dead Tree Branches

Often times, dead tree branches are found scattered throughout residential or commercial properties. If you notice dead or even dying, trees lining a property, ask the owner if you can gather some of these branches. In many cases, property owners don’t have the need for the wood, or the financial resources to have the trees removed. Therefore, by gathering these potentially hazardous tree branches you’re not only stockpiling your free firewood supply but also helping out a neighbor.

Post Storm Tree Debris

After a major thunderstorm, tree branches tend to accumulate along the side of the road or in yards of commercial and residential properties. While most property owners simply throw away storm debris, ask the property owner if you can help collect and remove the debris with the premise of keeping some, or all, of the wood. If you live in an area that frequently sees windstorms, this could be the sole source of your free firewood supply.

Wooden Pallets Make Excellent Free Kindling

Commercial retail stores and warehouses use wooden pallets for a myriad of reasons. While many businesses reuse pallets, once damaged, or once their stock of pallets becomes too large, many are open to donating to local residents for firewood purposes. The size, shape, and portability of wooden pallets make them a perfect source for firewood, especially kindling. Just be sure to check they are pressure treated, rather than chemically treated. Most are these days, but it is better to check. A quick Google of the stamps on the pallets will tell you.

Ask Sawmills For Free Waste/Off Cuts

Many sawmills actively search for ways to reduce their overhead, which includes disposal costs associated with end cut removal. Contact your local saw mill and ask about pick up times for scrap lumber. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up a bag or two of sawdust, which may be used as kindling. The sawmill got rid of some waste and you got some free firewood!

BONUS Section: How To MAKE Free And Virtually Unlimited Fuel To Heat Your Home

FREE fuel and unlimited fuel to heat your home – that’s quite a promise! It doesn’t actually promise to be a solution to provide ALL of the fuel to heat your home, but depending on the size of your home it probably could do just that… If you have a small house or cabin heated by a wood stove you could probably heat your house using just this method. For larger homes with a wood fire or stove, this would be an excellent addition to firewood which could possibly save you 50%, maybe more on your fuel costs.

You are obviously not going to be able to generate enough junk mail, cardboard and magazines etc to save a fortune (although still worth doing!), but if you ask friends, neighbors and family to save all their paper waste you’ll start to generate a significant amount of fuel material. You could also ask around local businesses for their waste paper too!

(Image from Tiny House Listings)
(Image from: Wikipedia)

How To Make Flour Paint: Natural, Non-Toxic, Durable & Cheap

how to make flour paint

Normal outdoor wood paint is expensive, an ecological nightmare (eco paints cost even more money!), they are toxic, harmful to nature/humans, take ages to dry and you have to use even more nasty chemicals to clean your brushes etc when you are done…

What if I told you there is a natural, healthy/eco-alternative that’s easy to clean, dries in an hour and that costs the equivalent of a few dollars a tin? It’s called flour paint, or Swedish Paint! Just mix the natural ingredients in a pan on the stove and in 30/40 minutes you’ll have an awesome natural rustic outdoor wood paint that will last for between 5-10 years depending on your location/weather etc. You are not restricted to red either, there is a whole load of natural earth pigments you can use to color your paint. Find out more below.

It’s called flour paint, or Swedish Paint! Just mix the natural ingredients in a pan on the stove and in 30/40 minutes you’ll have an awesome natural rustic outdoor wood paint that will last for between 5-10 years depending on your location/weather etc. You are not restricted to red either, there is a whole load of natural earth pigments you can use to color your paint. Find out more below.

Now, you might be concerned about the durability of an outdoor timber paint made from flour. You shouldn’t be, this paint originates from Scandinavia. They have used flour paint for 100s of years to paint their timber houses and outbuildings. If the paint can withstand Scandinavian weather, it’s going to withstand pretty much anything1

How To Make Flour Paint  (This is a French site, so I have used Google Translate to make it easier to read!)

(Photo from:  http://engelleben.free.fr )

The Four ‘Golden Rules’ For Caring For Cast Iron Cookware

Caring for cast-iron cookware

Rule 1: Don’t wash cast-iron cookware like normal pots and pans.

Don’t wash cast-iron cookware like normal pots and pans. Dishwasher detergent and dish soap will remove the seasoning (oil coating) on the skillets etc, that is required for successful cooking and storage. If the seasoning is removed, food will stick to the cookware, and when stored the cast-iron will oxidize and rust.

Rule 2: Clean cast-iron cookware like this.

In most cases, a quick wipe around with some kitchen towel and cooking oil will suffice. If you do have some stuck-on food that doesn’t come off with a quick wipe – pour a cup of water in your skillet (etc), put it on the heat and let it boil for a minute or two. Remove from the heat, pour the water away and carefully wipe with some kitchen towel and oil. If the pan has still not come clean, add a handful of coarse salt and use some paper towel to rub the pan. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive that won’t damage the cast-iron.

Rule 3: Re-season after use

After you have used and or cleaned cast-iron cookware, be sure to re-season it before storage and further use. To do this – add a little oil to the cookware and use some paper towel to gently rub it around to seal and protect it. This will protect and stop the cookware from rusting in storage, and mean it is ready for use straight out of the cupboard next time.

Rule 4: Treat with care

Never use steel wool to clean cast-iron cookware, it will scratch the surface. Be very careful using metal cooking utensils too as they can also cause damage. Use wooden utensils if possible. Lastly, store your cast-iron cookware carefully. Cast-iron cookware is heavy so it is easy to chip or dent when handling and storing. Chips and dents can affect how food cooks and sears, so handle with care.

BONUS: Find Out What The Numbers & Letters On Cast-Iron Cookware Mean

You’ll either be really interested in this, or you’ll be thinking what’s the point?  Actually, since you are reading this post you are likely in the ‘interested’ party category.

There is so much heritage and history wrapped up in old-cast iron cookware, old cast-iron Dutch ovens, skillets, kettles and those beautiful old cast-iron wood-burning stoves. Wouldn’t it be nice if you find out a bit more about them, when were they made, what was their original purpose etc? Well, now you can! Below is an article to the ‘Cast Iron Collector’ website that explains what all those numbers and letters on your old cast-iron cookware mean.

Find Out What The Numbers & Letters On Cast-Iron Cookware Mean

The Upside Down Fire Technique (And Why You Should Try It!)

Upside down fire method

So what is an upside-down fire and why should you be using this technique to light your fires?

With the traditional way of building a fire, most people start with a small pile of kindling and then add larger logs as the fire gets going. With the upside-down fire technique you build your fire from the base up before you light it, not only that, but you start with the biggest logs at the bottom, then some smaller logs and then the kindling on top. Watch the short video below for details on how to do this.

When you light the kindling on top the fire burns down slowly through the larger logs, whilst still giving off a similar amount of heat. You probably won’t have to put any further logs on the fire for two to three hours, so this will reduce the amount of wood your burn each day. Also when done outdoors in a camping or survival scenario it enables you to leave the fire unattended for several hours, as the initial fire burns much, much longer than a traditional campfire.

(Video/Photo from: Household Hacker)

Quickly Turn An Off-The-Shelf Carport Into A Barn (Or Even A Cabin?)

Use a carport to build a barn

What a great idea! Purchase an off-the-shelf carport, assemble it, clad it with timber, add a door, and you have an awesome low-cost barn… You could cut costs even further by cladding with wood stripped from free wooden pallets. If you ask around local businesses, you can get an endless supply of free pallets. See our 160+ pallet tutorials post for more pallet projects and ideas.

What interests me about this the most though is not necessarily building a large barn as in the photo, but the opportunity to use a smaller carport to build a tool shed/workshop. In fact, come to think of it, you can pretty much build any single-story building by adapting one of these off-the-shelf carport kits.

In fact, I am sure you could build a low-cost cabin using this method, providing you insulated the ceiling and possibly the walls as well. It would appear fairly straightforward to cut and install additional windows and doors, so why not a cheap/quick/affordable cabin or single story house?

Anyway, I thought I would feature this great project from ‘Mulligan’s Run’, as it provides plenty of food for thought for affordable and very quick building. Check out how the barn was made here: Turn A Simple Carport Into An Awesome Barn

(Image from: Mulligan’s Run)