Budget EDC, Upcycle / Reuse to save money

[pfrsantos]

I brought my Sportsman out today, after some days with the Spartan with the clip mod. It felt a little uncortable so I took a paper clip and made a suspension clip. Holding out pretty good, I'll try to get some pics to post. Takes about 4min to make.

 

[Jothra]

I've been using a modified picture hanger hook for my EDC flashlight for more than a year. In fact, the hook has outlived one light already.

[detron]

Nice,   glad they hold up.   It is a cheap source.

Thanks for sharing

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Jothra]

Nice,   glad they hold up.   It is a cheap source.

Thanks for sharing

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

The suspender-clip ones sure look cool, though...

[tattoosteve99]

Not cheap, thrifty! Being a single dad with 2 growing preteens, you have to figure out how to make the most of the money. As to that I haven't bought any new toys for myself, I've been spending most if any extra money on clothes, food and more food.

[detron]

Not cheap, thrifty! Being a single dad with 2 growing preteens, you have to figure out how to make the most of the money. As to that I haven't bought any new toys for myself, I've been spending most if any extra money on clothes, food and more food.

I like being thrifty.  and if I can accomplish the same thing for a fraction of the cost, I am going to use the cheaper method.

[Lynn LeFey]

Just a little thing, but thought I'd share. I store my sugar in emptied soda bottles. We had an ant problem a couple years ago, and i started sealing all of my sugar inside old soda bottles. It also makes a handy way to pour it.

[detron]

Just a little thing, but thought I'd share. I store my sugar in emptied soda bottles. We had an ant problem a couple years ago, and i started sealing all of my sugar inside old soda bottles. It also makes a handy way to pour it.

Love it,  simple,  easy,  cheap,  and improves usage.   Nice one Lynn

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[tattoosteve99]

I use my empty soda bottles to store water in. Just in case there's a power outage or the world goes to smurf. The body can only survive 3 days without water. So far I've stored almost 20 2 liter bottles.

[Philthy]

This is a great thread.

[Cupboard]

I use my empty soda bottles to store water in. Just in case there's a power outage or the world goes to smurf. The body can only survive 3 days without water. So far I've stored almost 20 2 liter bottles.

Do you periodically refresh them or anything? I can just see a lot of potential for nasties growing in there!

[pfrsantos]

I use my empty soda bottles to store water in. Just in case there's a power outage or the world goes to smurf. The body can only survive 3 days without water. So far I've stored almost 20 2 liter bottles.

Do you periodically refresh them or anything? I can just see a lot of potential for nasties growing in there!

I do the same with 5l containers. Once in a while, I use the water in the toilet or to wash the floor. Rinse the containers and refill them. Since I drink bottled water, I've always got a new supply of containers, too.
 

[pfrsantos]

I brought my Sportsman out today, after some days with the Spartan with the clip mod. It felt a little uncortable so I took a paper clip and made a suspension clip. Holding out pretty good, I'll try to get some pics to post. Takes about 4min to make (the clip, not the photos).

 

Here it is, hope you can see it.

I suck at taking photos...
 

[Jothra]

Is that clip blue? Cool.

[pfrsantos]

Nope, just smurfy lighting... It's a common metalic paper clip. I've thinking about it and probably will try a new design, kinda like the metal clips in Spyderco. Will keep you posted.
 

[tattoosteve99]

I use my empty soda bottles to store water in. Just in case there's a power outage or the world goes to smurf. The body can only survive 3 days without water. So far I've stored almost 20 2 liter bottles.

Do you periodically refresh them or anything? I can just see a lot of potential for nasties growing in there!

Not yet. I put a small amount of bleach in the water to kill any nasties and it stores longer.

[lowtech]

This is not so much of an upcycling, but just a reminder that repairs do save money, too.



The Velcro on my Swisstools sheath did no longer stick, so I removed teh Vic Logo and the Velcro hooks and put in a snap closure.



Voila, back in service.

[Jothra]

This is actually a good thread to remind people that if you do preventative maintenance and misuse your tools less than I do, you can get an awful lot of mileage out of one of those $3-4 Coghlan's Army Knives.

[dbeeks1]

I think the Tec Accessories A-3 glow fob looks pretty cool, but costs more than what I want to spend for something that just looks cool. I made 4 of these for the price of one A-3.

I used a cheap 3" plastic line level, v10 glow powder and 30 minute clear epoxy. The glow powder and epoxy are well documented on other forums, but I haven't seen the use of the line level before.

(I also filled the eyes of 10 metal skull beads with the glowing epoxy and still have a small amount of epoxy and glow powder left.)

[detron]

Beautiful!  great job @dbeeks1.

Love the idea, and might have to play with this.  where do you get the v10 glow powder from?

[dbeeks1]

I ordered the powder and the epoxy from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Glow-Inc-Ultra-Green-Powder/dp/B00BNEX8QK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384138943&sr=8-2&keywords=glow+inc+v10

http://www.amazon.com/Devcon-2-Ton-Crystal-Clear-1-Ounce/dp/B0006O8QQ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384138983&sr=8-2&keywords=devcon+30+minute+clear

[detron]

I ordered the powder and the epoxy from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Glow-Inc-Ultra-Green-Powder/dp/B00BNEX8QK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384138943&sr=8-2&keywords=glow+inc+v10

http://www.amazon.com/Devcon-2-Ton-Crystal-Clear-1-Ounce/dp/B0006O8QQ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384138983&sr=8-2&keywords=devcon+30+minute+clear

Thanks!  that not only helped me, but any others who come here and try to follow your idea.

[dbeeks1]

Glad to help! I would be happy to provide more details about the process if anyone is interested.

[detron]

Glad to help! I would be happy to provide more details about the process if anyone is interested.

I am interested, It is up to you if you want to do a more indepth guide, but if you do, it will help everyone who might decide to try this

[rickboone]

I think the Tec Accessories A-3 glow fob looks pretty cool, but costs more than what I want to spend for something that just looks cool. I made 4 of these for the price of one A-3.

I used a cheap 3" plastic line level, v10 glow powder and 30 minute clear epoxy. The glow powder and epoxy are well documented on other forums, but I haven't seen the use of the line level before.

(I also filled the eyes of 10 metal skull beads with the glowing epoxy and still have a small amount of epoxy and glow powder left.)

That is sweet bro!!  I want one . I need creativity and talent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pfrsantos]

Glad to help! I would be happy to provide more details about the process if anyone is interested.

I am interested, It is up to you if you want to do a more indepth guide, but if you do, it will help everyone who might decide to try this

+1
 

[dbeeks1]

I'll write something up. Maybe start a new thread so this one doesn't get too far off the rails.

[detron]

I found a great way to store my SAK scales

RAM packaging



Plus scales fit snugly and do not move or slide.

regular scales are loose, but I just put the paperwork that came with the RAM and it is all better.

What I like is I can see the scales, and it is not too big. 
some people may like the peg board ready option.

[Etherealicer]

Key Wallet

Have a spare key wallet? Take it apart. Its a great source for extra small locking carabiners..

[Etherealicer]

Surgical Gloves

Cut off the fingers of cheap surgical gloves and you have an elastic sleeve to fit lots of different stuff, e.g. your flashlight.