DIY GARDEN: gear

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Riverwalker’s Gear Review Instafire

Being able to start a fire is one of the best skills you can develop. It also usually requires some form of kindling or fire-starting material to make the task of building a fire easier and simpler. You also want to get that fire started quickly before it gets dark. Here’s a quick review of Instafire.

RW, Jr. left me in charge of the firewood for a short boondocking trip we were on and unfortunately my wood pile had gotten wet from a brief rain shower the day before. Wet or even damp wood can be extremely difficult to start a fire without some help along the way. It was time to check out the firestarter product from Instafire.

Instafire is fairly inert and very safe to handle. Although you should be able to start several fires with a single package, I opted to use the whole package. It does start easily with a match or a lighter and doesn’t flare up like charcoal starter or other readily flammable types of firestarters. It comes in a fairly rugged package that still manages to be easily opened by hand. A pile of the Instafire mixture was dumped in my hand and then added to the wood in my fire pit. With a quick flick of my Bic, I had a decent flame going right away.

It also burns really hot!

Advantages of Instafire:

!. It’s very safe to handle (non-toxic) and doesn’t impart fumes to items being cooked over the fire.

2. It lights easily with a match or lighter. These are the two most common means of starting a fire used by most people on a regular basis in most circumstances.

3. It works well for starting charcoal without the usual fumes from charcoal starter or ashes blowing in the wind from using newspaper.

3. It burns extremely hot and handles large chunks of damp wood with ease.

Disadvantages of Instafire:

!. It can be a little pricey but is available in larger containers to reduce the cost.

2. Although the package stated you could start several fires with a single package, it’s difficult to gauge how much is needed when your wood is wet or damp.

Instafire worked really well to get my fire started. It had no problem with getting my damp wood chunks burning. In less than thirty minutes, we had a decent fire. I probably wouldn’t use it on a regular basis but having some handy in case your firewood is wet or damp couldn’t hurt. It can also help if you have someone that has a low tolerance for some of the other types of chemical firestarters.

Got firestarter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear Review Instafire

The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide and Gear Winners

We have two winners in our survival guide and gear giveaway. They will be receiving an autographed copy of The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guideas well as several items of survival gear.

Here are their winning comments:

Ed Vaisvilas said...

In our home, after using it, the bathtub is always rinsed of any soap residue. If there is just an hours warning that the city water will shut off, the tub can be filled, and thats a couple hundred gallons we wouldnt otherwise have. Then a clean tarp will be placed over it, to stave off anything airborne.

MAY 24, 2013 AT 9:02 AM

Congetta said...

My best survival tool is to teach my 7 year old son the skills and information that I learn. I completed a first aid/CPR/AED class the other day and I will be teaching him the techniques.

MAY 24, 2013 AT 11:42 PM

The winners will need to contact me at riverwalker_texas@yahoo.com with their shipping address so that their free survival guide and gear can be sent to them.

Please respond by email within 72 hours in order to receive your prize.

Congratulations to our winners!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide and Gear Winners

Simple Survival Gear The Cup

Of all the different types of survival gear, one of the essential items is the cup. In a search for that perfect piece of gear, the cup is probably one of the most difficult items to find. When looking for that perfect piece of gear, there has been a lot of time and effort expended by a lot of people in their search for the perfect cup. It is only after many years of trying to find that ultimate piece of gear that the simple truth has come to light. Most cups have a number of good qualities in common and it is not the cup that is of major importance. It’s the manner in which you take advantage of all of its features.

Basic Features

The size and shape of most cups are fairly common and you only need one with a capacity to boil water for cooking or making a hot cup of coffee or tea. Stainless steel cups are probably your best bet with titanium a close second, if you can afford it. Your cup should also have a flat bottom in order to fit comfortably on most backpacking or hiking stoves. Your cup will also need to hold 16 to 24 ounces of liquid which will give you adequate capacity for fixing a dehydrated meal, soup or a cup of tea or coffee. The handle should fold out of the way when not in use and it should lock firmly in place when deployed. The handle is important to make sure you can securely handle your cup when it is hot. A couple of extra drinking cups that nest inside the cup are also a definite plus.

Cup Storage

The true secret to that perfect cup is how you utilize its storage capacity. Cups with canteens nested in them don’t give you much of a storage option. The majority of people carry separate water bottles and this allows you to take advantage of the storage capacity of your cup. You can add coffee filters for water filtration and a small bottle of bleach to purify it. You can add a lighter, a firesteel and some tinder to help make a fire to heat the water in your cup. You can include a small knife and a spork as well. Throw in some instant coffee packets, drink mix and a little salt and pepper and you’re good to go.

The true worth of any cup is not realized until you put something in it.

Got cup?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Gear The Cup

Riverwalkers Gear Review The Predator 4000 Generator from Harbor Freight Tools

If the grid goes down for more than a few hours, you could wind up suffering a bigger loss than your lights or TV. That fridge or freezer full of food items can be a total loss if you don’t have a means of auxiliary power to protect your food investment. If the power stays off for an extended period of time, you will probably need a portable generator to prevent a catastrophic loss.

The Predator 4000 generator from Harbor Freight Tools has received a lot of very positive reviews from numerous individuals. This made the Harbor Freight 4000 peak/3200 running watts-6.5 hp (212cc) gas generator #69676 an excellent choice for a survival gear review.

Here is a list of the Predator 4000 generator main features:

212cc 6.5 HP air-cooled OHV gas engine

10 hours run-time @ 50% capacity

Low oil indicator and low oil shutdown

Heavy duty 1" steel roll cage

UL listed circuit breakers

Recoil start

Four 120 volt, 20 amp grounded receptacles

One 240 volt, 30 amp grounded receptacle

One 12 volt DC cigarette lighter port

First Impressions

1.) The generator unit I received arrived in a very timely fashion in only 7 days. The shipping time was estimated at 7 to 10 days. This was within the time frame specified.

2.) Straight out of the box I was very impressed by the fit and finish of the Predator 4000 Generator. A check for sharp edges, loose bolts or missing parts turned up negative. The paint job was excellent and exhibited no major flaws or defects.

3,) It also came with a small tool kit (Philips head screwdriver, spark plug wrench and an open end wrench), an Instruction Manual and a Quick Start Guide.

Straight out of the box this unit gets a solid 5 star rating.

Operational and Maintenance Features

One of the most important things about a piece of equipment is its ease of operation and the ability to perform routine maintenance in an easy and simple manner. The Predator 4000 Generator comes out very “user friendly” in this regard with only one exception.

1.) The Fuel Tank - The top-mounted fuel tank with a capacity of four gallons makes refueling an easy task. It includes a tank vent, top-mounted fuel gauge, a debris strainer and a large fuel cap with a retention chain. The large opening on the fuel tank made fueling the generator a very quick and simple process.

2.) The Control Panel - The On/Off switch, the outlet receptacles, circuit breakers and low oil warning light are all located in a panel on the front side of the unit. This keeps everything together and makes it easy to access and check.

3.) The Spark Plug, Air Filter and Carburetor - The spark plug is easy to access and can be cleaned or changed easily with the spark plug wrench supplied in the tool kit that came with the unit. The air filter on this generator (foam) was easy to access without additional tools, very simple to clean (soap and water) and then re-install. The carburetor also included a drain plug to assist with long term storage. This makes the maintenance of these items a simple task without any extra hassle.

4.) Oil Fill and Drain - This is the exception when it comes to operation and maintenance of this generator. Access to the oil fill plug is somewhat of a hassle. You will need a funnel with a long “flexible” spout or an oil squirt can (my choice) to add oil to the unit. Draining the oil also requires the unit to be tilted. This is something that could be easily corrected with the addition of an oil drain plug to the engine.

Overall, I would rate the operation and maintenance of this generator 4 out of 5 stars. While the majority of operation and maintenance is a simple task, the process of filling and changing the oil is simply not as “user friendly” as it could be for what will most likely be a fairly frequent task.

The Load Test

After filling the generator with the required amount of oil (approximately 3/4 quart or .6 liter) and adding approximately 2 1/2 gallons (half a tank by the fuel gauge) of treated fuel with a stabilizer additive, it was time to pull the handle and crank this new generator up.

1.) Light Load - The unit cranked on the third pull and the engine smoothed out very quickly in less than a minute. It was allowed to operate about 15 minutes without a load. It was then shut down and re-started. It cranked on the first pull and was allowed to run about 5 minutes before a light load was applied.

A small lamp was hooked up to the init and worked well with no noticeable increase in the load on the generator. All power outlets on the unit were then checked and found to be functioning properly. The generator was run with this light load for approximately 45 minutes.

An LP14-30 cord was then connected and a light load used to check the four prong outlet on the generator. This was also found to be operating correctly.

2.) Heavy Load - A heavy load was not placed on the unit because the unit requires a break-in time of about 3 hours and was only operated about 2 hours during this initial use.

Here is an update with the results of a heavy load test and the installation of a wheel kit:

Predator 4000 Generator Update

Final Impressions

1.) The Predator 4000 Generator is a very “user friendly” piece of equipment and all features worked properly.

2.) Its cost is relatively inexpensive and can be found on sale frequently which makes it an even better buy. The fit and finish of this generator was also excellent straight out of the box.

3.) Most of the operation and maintenance chores on this generator are easy to accomplish. The only exception is the oil fill and drain issues noted previously.

4.) The generator unit is heavy (128 pounds). Unless you are planning a more permanent installation, you will probably need to order the wheel kit that is available for this generator. This will make moving it to various locations an easier task.

5.) You also need to add a torpedo level to the tool kit. This will allow you to check the level of the unit. Units that are not level can cause problems with the low oil shutdown feature or affect how efficiently fuel feeds from the gas tank.

6.) Make sure to read the Owners Manual and Instructions prior to operating this unit.

The Predator 4000 Generator makes an excellent and very affordable addition to your preparedness gear.

Got generator?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalkers Gear Review The Predator 4000 Generator from Harbor Freight Tools

DIY Survival Gear Tips Keeping Things Simple

If you find yourself in a survival situation, every person needs to be able to use what they have on hand and take full advantages of what may be limited resources to satisfy their needs. Each of your resources will have unique advantages and disadvantages. Your main task should be to figure out how to use these items to meet your needs and increase your chances of survival. Here are some simple tips to remember when making DIY survival gear.

DIY Survival Gear Tips

1. Use only the minimum resources necessary.

Making DIY gear is a great way to train yourself to find alternative uses for items to meet these needs. It is important to keep things simple because this often makes things easier to accomplish. It will also help to reduce the amount of your available resources that will have to be used to make your goal a reality. The less hardware that you need to accomplish your project will increase your ability to achieve a successful outcome with limited resources.

2. Use your survival needs as a guide.

Need is a great motivator. Combining a need with a little imagination can usually lead to a successful project. In a survival situation, failure is not an option and simple solutions often work best.

3. Limit your use of power tools and electricity.

Hand tools work even when there is no power available. Try to design your DIY projects to minimize the use of electricity and the need for power tools. If the grid goes down, hand tools may be your only option to complete your project. You don’t want your thinking to be dependent upon grid power that may not be available.

4. Keep your projects simple and uncomplicated.

Complexity can create more problems than it solves. If you make your projects simple and uncomplicated, other family members can assist in the creation and development of any survival gear you may need. If a project is designed with simplicity in mind, you can free up your time to work on other projects. Children and senior family members can also contribute to the process of making needed survival items if you keep things simple.

5. Remember the primary goal of your project.

Your goal should be to create DIY projects that require minimal tools, no electricity, and minimum amounts of hardware or resources. This will help you be better prepared.

Got DIY survival projects?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

DIY Survival Gear Tips Keeping Things Simple

Riverwalker’s Gear UST Bug Tent and Tarp Emergency Shelter Combo for Your Daypack

Normally on a day hike, you don’t really think about carrying shelter. The weather in Texas can fool you and it usually means someone is going to get wet. Although temperatures stay fairly warm through most of the year, there is a big chance of getting caught in a rainstorm. You might also want to stay out overnight if your sightseeing kept you from completing the entire hike you had planned.

Ultimate Survival Technologies Base Bug Tent

Ultimate Survival Technologies Base All Weather Tent Tarp

The UST Bug Tent and Tarp make a great lightweight addition to your day pack. It will work to keep you dry (drier?) until the rain lets up or give you a place to rest without feeding those blood-sucking mosquitoes all night. These work great for use as an emergency shelter when day hiking.

The tent poles can be easily folded and strapped to the side of your pack. You can also opt to carry the tarp only. I also carry a small nylon tarp to use as a ground cloth (see pic) to protect a lightweight sleeping bag that I also carry. With a little food and a full water reservoir, my day pack weighs slightly less than 15 pounds on average. Regular backpacking or a colder climate would require something more substantial. My regular backpacking bag runs about twice the weight of my day pack (30 to 32 pounds).

It’s a lightweight combination that can be easily carried in your day pack and be there if you need it. Never hurts to have a backup plan in case nature decides to hand you a different set of circumstances on a sunny day.

Got shelter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear UST Bug Tent and Tarp Emergency Shelter Combo for Your Daypack

Riverwalker’s Gear Test and Review Stealth Flashlights

Flashlights are a great way to extend your operational abilities past normal daylight hours. Most are extremely portable and are simple to operate. Many also include additional features which can further enhance their usefulness. Sometimes required activities can’t wait until daylight and you are going to need some form of lighting to assist you with getting your work done. There’s also less chance of a mishap when traveling at night becomes necessary. You will need to have a good flashlight handy to accomplish these goals.

This review will cover two different types of Stealth flashlights with a very unique feature. They also function as a stun gun for personal defense and protection. This can add an additional layer of protection for you and increase the level of your personal security.

The two different models of Stealth flashlights and their different features we will be testing are the Model HW 1101 (medium size) and the HW 1108 (larger version). The picture above gives you a reference point in order to see the difference in the size of these two flashlights when compared with a pocket-sized LED flashlight that is fairly common and found in stores most everywhere.

Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1101

Basic Features:

Stun capacity rated at 3,000,000 volts

Constructed of premium aircraft grade aluminum alloy.

Powerful 180 lumens LED Flashlight

Approximate 2 hour constant run time on single charge.

Recharging Hardware (car and wall chargers) included.

Two Light Settings: Dim and Bright

Attached lanyard included.

Compact and lightweight size (approximately 9 ounces).

Color: Black

Price: $40.00 plus shipping

The Review: Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1101

Similar in size to your average flashlight, the lightweight and very compact Model HW 1101 does fit nicely in a glove compartment or console in your vehicle. This enables you to keep it handy for when it’s needed. It also can be easily carried in your back pocket or in a bag or purse. You may simply want to keep one by the door just in case you get an unwelcome visitor. This is important if you need to access it quickly in order to use the personal defense stun feature. This model also includes a wall charger and a car charger. Both charging units were tested and worked as expected. The cords were of sufficient length to make the recharging process quite simple. Having both a wall and car charger was an added bonus. The case of the flashlight was easy to grip and felt very comfortable. The switches were also readily accessible.

The stun feature (3,000,000 volts) was fairly localized when tested. Unfortunately, Mrs. RW wouldnt volunteer (more like refused...lol) to help out on this part and said this check was all mine. When used on myself, the stun was fairly localized but I did suffer a quick reaction to the stun when tested on my bare foot. It definitely got my attention even with the localized effect. Suffice it to say, this test was only performed once with the HW 1101. The stun feature only works when the flashlight is off and the slide switch on the unit is placed in the full forward position.

The flashlight worked extremely well when tested at night. It easily light up objects at a 100 yards and made them easily identifiable. The 180 lumens LED worked better than expected. The dim setting worked well also but the range was decreased by about half when tested. The lower setting does allow you to conserve battery life and extend the amount of time for working with light. This model also features a replaceable battery.

The price of this unit was also a pleasant surprise and had a very reasonable cost of only $40 plus shipping. This is important if you are on a tight budget and want to keep your gear costs at a minimum. Overall, the Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1101 is a reasonably priced, compact and lightweight LED flashlight that has the additional ability to function in a personal defense capacity which makes it a unique multi-function tool.

Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1108

Basic Features:

Dimensions: 9 1/2" L x 1 3/4" W

Stun capacity rated at 5,000,000 volts

Powerful 180 Lumens Flashlight

LED light good for approximately 100,000 hours.

Built-In Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery

Recharging Hardware (wall charger only) included.

Approximate 2 hour constant run time on single charge.

Battery is rechargeable up to approximately 1000 times.

Metal Belt Clip attached.

Lightweight (approximately 11 ounces).

Constructed of premium aircraft grade aluminum alloy.

Three Light Settings: Dim, Explosive Pulse (Strobe), Bright

Safety Switch Installed in the Base of the Flashlight to Prevent Accidental Stun

Color: Black

Price: $45.00 plus shipping.

The Review: Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1108

The old saying “Bigger is Better!” can be applied to the Model HW 1108. This flashlight easily lighted objects at well over a hundred yards with ease. The three different lighting modes all worked as expected and the strobe function was an added bonus. The dim setting was also important since it allows you to still use the flashlight while conserving battery power.

While it won’t fit in your vehicle glove compartment, it does fit easily into the side pocket on your vehicle door or a large center console. While quite a bit larger, it weighs in at approximately 11 ounces and feels a lot heavier than its actual weight. If the battery went dead, it could still function as a nifty little club.

Due to its larger size, this model is equipped with a sturdy belt clip. This it allows it to be easily carried on a utility belt or even clipped to your backpack. The clip holds the flashlight securely while allowing it to be removed quickly and easily when needed. The belt clip is fixed and not removable. The design of the flashlight also has a very nice feel to the grip as did the HW 1101 model.

The Model HW 1108 comes with a wall charger only. The supplied power cord does come up a little short in the length department. You will need to have the flashlight in a vertical position in order to recharge it. If the charging cord had been somewhat longer, it would have allowed it to be charged in a safer and more secure horizontal position. This would eliminate the possibility of your flashlight getting knocked over during recharging.

The Model HW 1108 does have a separate switch that’s allows the stun feature to be turned off for additional safety. It is located in a recessed area on the end of the flashlight next to the recharging port. This is a great feature when you consider its higher stun capacity of 5,000,000 volts. The stun feature on the HW 1108 was also tested and my bare foot once again felt the full force of this feature. While also a similarly localized effect as the Model HW 1101, this did get a “knee jerk” reaction on my part. The stun features works really well. This test was also performed only once.

While less compact and only slightly more expensive at a cost of $45 plus shipping, the Model HW 1108 offers a safety switch, extended flashlight range, increased stun capacity and a strobe feature. The only major limitation is that it only offers a wall charger and the battery is integrated into the flashlight and is not replaceable by the user. It still affords an excellent option for a multi-function tool that can add to your personal security and defense.

Due to the stun features, these flashlights are not water-proof and can be damaged if submerged. Additionally, both of these flashlights carry a 30 day return policy and 90 day money back or exchange guaranty for any component related issues. You can purchase either of these flashlights by clicking on the links in the article or by visiting StealthStunGuns.com .

NOTICE

Please consult your State laws before purchasing. The vast majority of states do not require a permit to carry a stun gun but some states do have restrictions in regards to stun guns.

You can visit this link to check stun gun restrictions in your state:

http://stealthstunguns.com/stun_gun_laws

Ready to light something up?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear Test and Review Stealth Flashlights

Riverwalker’s Book Review and Gear Giveaway The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide

In his latest book, “The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide”, Creek Stewart has put together a rather impressive and unique wilderness survival guide. This survival guide utilizes a theme based on a very popular series of books and a major motion picture. Hollywood special effects and make-up crews can create on camera sequences that almost make survival look easy. In real life, you will need a lot more to survive. This book showcases many of the survivals skills and tricks utilized by the characters in the movie and gives a thorough explanation of how to develop those same survival skills. It is having a proper working knowledge of survival skills that will ultimately keep you alive.

One of the things that is fairly unique to this book is the number of illustrations it contains. It is positively loaded with pictures from start to finish and this makes visualizing the skills being taught much easier. It also makes it an excellent guide for younger people who are quite likely to be more “visually” orientated. If you like illustrations, this survival guide has plenty from start to finish.

Building a primitive survival shelter is one of the more impressive sections of the book. Techniques for building a debris hut are clearly illustrated so that even the novice survivalist can build an excellent shelter for their survival. These shelter instructions are very good.

Even if you haven’t read the trilogy or seen the movie, this is still an excellent survival guide with many useful tips and tricks for developing your primitive survival skills. The subject matter is laid out in an easy to understand and organized manner that closely follows the table of contents. It also has a very impressive index that can quickly guide you to the location of relevant survival information you may be seeking. This also allows you to review specific survival topics quickly, easily and in a very precise manner. Creek has also included a section that lists numerous survival kit resources that will allow you to find additional survival gear or information that you may need.

Creek also includes a number of “Survival Quick Tips” throughout the book that can help you further enhance your survival skills. These tips cover a wide variety of survival techniques that can be of value to anyone reading or using his book.

All things considered, this is an excellent survival guide that is well organized, with easily referenced topics and numerous illustrations to help the reader have a much better understanding of the survival skills being outlined and taught in the book. This can certainly help to put the odds in your favor.

Whether you are new to the game of survival or youre a seasoned "pro", this book will help the novice develop new skills and the more experienced survivalist to reinforce their current skills.

Riverwalker gives “The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide ” by Creek Stewart a thumbs up!

Special Reader’s Bonus - Free Survival Gear Giveaway

As a special bonus to my readers, Stealth Survival is also having a survival gear giveaway sponsored by Creek Stewart and Willow Haven Outdoor. Two lucky readers will win a multi-function survival tool, a bandanna, a drawstring backpack and a free copy of “The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide” signed by the author.

In addition, the winners will receive an added bonus. A signal mirror from Riverwalker and Stealth Survival will be included in the gear the winners receive. This is the same signal mirror featured in the recent series of posts on “Building a Survival Kit.”

How do you win? It’s simple and easy. Leave a comment on this post with a “Survival Quick Tip” of your own that you feel others may be able to use. That’s all you need to do in order to have a chance at winning the gear giveaway. Two winners will be chosen from the responses received and will be announced in a special post on June 1, 2013.

You may also want to check out Creek Stewart’s first book, ”Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit”. This is another excellent book that you may wish to include in your survival library.

Creek Stewart is the owner of Willow Haven Outdoor, a Survival and Disaster Preparedness Training Facility located in central Indiana.

Are you ready to put the odds in your favor?

Then let the “games” begin!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Disclaimer: This book is unofficial and unauthorized. It is not authorized, approved, licensed or endorsed by Suzanne Collins, her publishers, or Lionsgate Entertainment Corporation.

Riverwalker’s Book Review and Gear Giveaway The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide