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What did you do to prepare today?

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Onanon wrote: »
    Got recurring ingrown toenail removed and the nailbed treated with acid.
    Ouchie. Better by far to have it permanently fixed though.


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    grapeape wrote: »
    Since I last posted
    Ive been trying recipes that can be cooked on a gas stove /open fire /hexi rather than in the oven or on a full cooker and stacking up on supplies for them
    Getting the kids used to using pmr446 radios and teaching the older 2 basic first aid

    Good for you on two fronts...experimenting now, not waiting till it is essential

    And teaching the kids skills. Kudos


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭ShadowFox


    bonniebede wrote: »
    Good for you on two fronts...experimenting now, not waiting till it is essential

    And teaching the kids skills. Kudos
    Thanks
    I was amazed at how much i use the oven/ microwave/ other electric items in the kitchen in day to day cooking so trying to figure out how to basic cook again has been a challenge
    Another thing I want to try (if I can get the war office to agree) is shutting off the power in the house for a day to see how we will manage also handy to find out what we need that we dont have


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    grapeape wrote: »
    Thanks
    I was amazed at how much i use the oven/ microwave/ other electric items in the kitchen in day to day cooking so trying to figure out how to basic cook again has been a challenge
    Another thing I want to try (if I can get the war office to agree) is shutting off the power in the house for a day to see how we will manage also handy to find out what we need that we dont have

    Just make sure you know how to reset all the timers you have on electrical goods :eek: Late for work anyone :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭ShadowFox


    Just make sure you know how to reset all the timers you have on electrical goods :eek: Late for work anyone :D
    only electric timer i have is the heating and alarm clock battery so safe there I mostly want to do it to see how the kids will cope without tv and xbox (and see if i need extra duct tape to stop them annoying me :D)


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  • Registered Users Posts: 326 ✭✭evilmonkee


    Got a pair of cheap walking boots in Aldi, started breaking them in with a bit of gardening and a good long walk with the dog.
    Very comfy, good quality for the price, strong laces, have enough stability to support your foot without forcing stiffness (as I have experienced with more expensive ones I have had) the only issue I would have is the lack of arch supports, but easily sorted with a couple of arch support insoles.
    For €23 quid, definitely a good buy, furthermore only €13 for the kids ones.

    The kids go to a ladies size 3, which is actually more like a 3.5 as they fitted me (woo, tax free shoes :D)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    tried a recipe for a seaweed, shellfish and chorizo stew for dinner.

    not bad but needs tweaking


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    mawk wrote: »
    tried a recipe for a seaweed, shellfish and chorizo stew for dinner.

    not bad but needs tweaking

    you mean cut out the seaweed and shellfish and just eat the chorizo, ummmmm that would be good :D


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,750 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    Chorizo, the duct tape of the preppers kitchen :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    Chorizo, the duct tape of the preppers kitchen :pac:

    An excellent analogy but might give anyone who hasn't eaten it before some strange ideas - I have a vision of someone going into Dunnes and asking for a roll of Chorizo.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Today I bought and set up a metre square raised bed. Wanted to make it myself as a diy thing but in the end bought a kit, just to get started. Filled it up using the lasagna method, adn planted up fruit and veg which have been hanging around since i splurged in Aldis.

    Also used my new first aid stuff to repair the damage caused while doing the above. :rolleyes: Can anyone say 'Is your tetanus jab up to date?'

    Growing lettuce should NOT be this hard.

    But maybe it isn't. Could be just me.

    My theme song for the day was 'I will survive'. Can't say the same will be true of everything that i planted.:D

    I should add I am loving being more active in the garden.


  • Registered Users Posts: 326 ✭✭evilmonkee


    bonniebede wrote: »
    Growing lettuce should NOT be this hard.

    A large number of people have been having problems getting lettuce to germinate, its warm behind glass at this time of year. make sure the air temperature doesn't exceed 25C, or the seeds won't germinate.

    Also if its outside, ensure its protected from frost, which will also stop it from germinating and can kill young plants.

    What I'm doing this year is growing an oriental salad mix (supplements my diet in the same way lettuce will). This can be kept at higher temps and so can be left in the greenhouse / coldframe / hot window-sill.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Not sure if this really counts as preparation, but I managed to finish setting up an encrypted partition on my USB stick, cunningly concealed inside a home movie of my puppy which actually still plays. Big improvement on the first effort, which was so cunningly concealed I couldn't find it again. :/

    Now if only I had something to hide in it...


  • Registered Users Posts: 39 Onanon


    Doc Ruby wrote: »
    Ouchie. Better by far to have it permanently fixed though.

    Done without anesthetic. Definitely made me look at getting locals into the home medkit if there was more serious home surgery to be done. Either that, or heavy belts to strap someone to the table.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    Doc Ruby wrote: »
    Not sure if this really counts as preparation, but I managed to finish setting up an encrypted partition on my USB stick, cunningly concealed inside a home movie of my puppy which actually still plays. Big improvement on the first effort, which was so cunningly concealed I couldn't find it again. :/

    Now if only I had something to hide in it...

    you could also make an info dead drop in your house
    I saw a neat way of making one by hiding a usb drive hidden inside a working rj45 wall plate. you just plug into the wall and find a drive not a phone line


  • Registered Users Posts: 326 ✭✭evilmonkee


    Doc Ruby wrote: »
    Now if only I had something to hide in it...

    Assuming you always carry your memory stick.

    How about a soft copy of important documents, passport, house lease (just the signed part) / deeds of house, if the physical copy cannot be reached/gets destroyed at least you have a backup or some way to prove your telling the truth.

    Also pictures of spouse, children, parents, pets etc. If a major event happens and you need to use them for posters, ID etc. always good to have a copy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    evilmonkee wrote: »
    Assuming you always carry your memory stick.

    How about a soft copy of important documents, passport, house lease (just the signed part) / deeds of house, if the physical copy cannot be reached/gets destroyed at least you have a backup or some way to prove your telling the truth.

    Also pictures of spouse, children, parents, pets etc. If a major event happens and you need to use them for posters, ID etc. always good to have a copy.

    Only problem I can see is that you need to have the encryption/decryption software to use the hidden data on the USB stick and its a bit obvious if you have that copied on the stick that you might be hiding something :confused:


  • Registered Users Posts: 326 ✭✭evilmonkee


    Only problem I can see is that you need to have the encryption/decryption software to use the hidden data

    Not necessarily, depending on the encryption (and compression) methods used, some off the shelf software could easily work.
    Also, if using an encryption key, it can be as simple as entering the correct sequence of input before being asked for a password, just like a combination lock.

    OR, you could simple write the decryption algorithm when needed, If you design the encryption you must have designed the decryption too.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    mawk wrote: »
    you could also make an info dead drop in your house
    I saw a neat way of making one by hiding a usb drive hidden inside a working rj45 wall plate. you just plug into the wall and find a drive not a phone line
    Nice, I was always a big fan of the hidden in plain sight school of thought.
    evilmonkee wrote: »
    Assuming you always carry your memory stick.

    How about a soft copy of important documents, passport, house lease (just the signed part) / deeds of house, if the physical copy cannot be reached/gets destroyed at least you have a backup or some way to prove your telling the truth.

    Also pictures of spouse, children, parents, pets etc. If a major event happens and you need to use them for posters, ID etc. always good to have a copy.
    Yes, perfect, I've a few of them but this one is on my keyring.
    Only problem I can see is that you need to have the encryption/decryption software to use the hidden data on the USB stick and its a bit obvious if you have that copied on the stick that you might be hiding something :confused:
    Its a good point, but Truecrypt lets you set up a container inside the encrypted file so you can "give up" the password to the first (filled with important looking stuff) shell, while never saying a word about the second one. Thats if you have to have the decrypting software on the stick.

    Of course I've completely invalidated that tactic for myself since I've publicly posted about it on the internet, but I haven't much to hide anyway! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Strange it is supposed to have a cleaning effect on the Coleman stoves and lamps. Unleaded tends to block them up so general advice is to use Coleman fuel every 3-4 fills, but never actually bothered as its so expensive.
    Okay, I finally got to the bottom of the non-lighting problem, it was the crappy wicks supplied by DX. When I was wiping off the residue I also wiped off the burnt bits of the wick. By pulling up a bit more length it worked fine. I'll replace the wicks in the peanuts and triplexes with good quality zippo wicks when they wear out. The fluid worked fine in an old zippo I had lying around so that's not the problem.

    The solar charger arrived pretty quickly, unfortunately it doesn't actually charge anything, so that's going back home to mamma. I did get a cool folding cup as well though.

    3ac4f373-8b72-4190-82b3-ebdb6596b743.jpg

    My keyring is starting to look like some weird techno-totem carried around by a modern day shaman. I've a carabiner with proton flashlight and clip on compass, metal cup, pen knife, peanut and USB key with all sorts of goodies installed in it, plus keys.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    Doc Ruby wrote: »
    My keyring is starting to look like some weird techno-totem carried around by a modern day shaman. I've a carabiner with proton flashlight and clip on compass, metal cup, pen knife, peanut and USB key with all sorts of goodies installed in it, plus keys.

    Well if you ever get into a confrontational situation a way out might be to shake that lot around while shouting "Unclean" "Unclean".


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    I read this. Not much to it yet but might be worth watching. this is issue one.
    http://www.preparemag.com/may-2012


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Just tried out the low cost alternative to vaseline in Dunnes, Health Point its called, for firelighting and it works great. The cotton makeup removal pads they sell are perfect as well, since they are like a flat sandwich of firm cotton with soft cotton in the middle, almost custom made for easy packing and transportation, taking a spark nicely from even the most dodgy of firesteels.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    Today I put together a mini First Aid Kit for my cycling holiday. We'll be cycling from town to town and weight will be big issue so it's very basic:
    • Nail Scissors
    • Medical Tape
    • Gause
    • Cotton Swab
    • Cuetip
    • Alcohol Wipes x 2
    • Sticky Plasters x 4
    • Ibuprofen Tablets x 4
    • Immodium Tablet

    Will also have a couple of survival blankets and whistle with us.

    IMAG0070_2.jpg
    IMAG0069.jpg
    IMAG0067.jpg


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭Deus Ex Machina


    I bought a can of medium roast coffee beans which I can use if I ever run out of dark roast. You see I prefer dark roast, and I will always drink that if it's available, so a can of medium roast will only ever be used in the event that I run out of dark roast, so it will last ages.


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Well yesterday really... Picked up two of the little solid fuel cookers and some extra hexamine tabs in Aldi. One for each bob.

    now i have to revise my 72 hour food pack, which was based on the premise of not having a stove of any sort.

    Also expandable 20 litre water carrier, and a hose. The hose is really for the new veg in the garden, but it would also make the job of filling water storage containers easier.

    Gave away my nice tarp to himself, who after slagging me for buying it, then discovered he had an urgent need for it for a particular project. There's gratitude!:rolleyes:

    Today i became Godmother to a friends little boy, its the forth time I got to play that role but so far the only one who is a baby, all the rest are adults. His family are on my 'people I would try and help survive list' so he's another one to think of when prepping. Discovered that his mum was in the FCA, knows all sorts of skills and learnt how to shoot. Who knew? Since I started prepping and thinking about survival group people i have discovered friends with all sorts of hidden skills, like my first aider friend who is, it turns out a crack archer.


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    In the spirit of test driving survival items, today I had a tin of my Tesco ultimate cheapy value ownbrand garden peas. Not bad at all, for sometihng at 20c per tin, even better with a bit of butter and mint.

    Especially as the wind carried off all my pea plants and all i have to show for them this year was some tasty shoots in a salad and one tasty pod of peas.

    Have been watching the aldi value veg, like cheap onions turnips etc, and wondering if I should buy some to test drive root veg storage options.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    bonniebede wrote: »
    ...
    ...
    Have been watching the aldi value veg, like cheap onions turnips etc, and wondering if I should buy some to test drive root veg storage options.

    Some of that cheap veg will have already been in storage for quite a while, you really need to take note of where it was grown in relation to the natural growing season, for example any onions grown in Europe will at this time of year been in store for 5-6 months.


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Some of that cheap veg will have already been in storage for quite a while, you really need to take note of where it was grown in relation to the natural growing season, for example any onions grown in Europe will at this time of year been in store for 5-6 months.


    good point. Also when bought in the shop they are more trimmed that you might want for storage.

    Sorted through the tinned storage food items and reorganised my food storage in general.
    Think I have pretty much maxed out my capacity at three months food at my urban location until such time as I get the attic floored. Hopefully sometime this year. Thankfully i have now reclaimed space under trhe stairs for the items of normal life. Repeating to myself regularly 'prepping is not being a packrat'.:rolleyes:

    Also righted the little aldi four shelf green house thing which tipped over in the recent storms. I'm wiring together the frame for more stabilty and going to wire it to a fence post to keep it upright. on the plus side, once on its side it started to collected rainwater, and though it sagged and bulged the plastic cover remained intact.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,635 ✭✭✭eth0


    mawk wrote: »
    you could also make an info dead drop in your house
    I saw a neat way of making one by hiding a usb drive hidden inside a working rj45 wall plate. you just plug into the wall and find a drive not a phone line

    would you need a special cable for this since RJ45 isn't a standard USB connector or have they gone about it some other way?

    i always wanted to throw a small server in between the two floors of a house, just a small fanless embedded thing with a small SSD for storage, along a cat5 cable that was serving some other part of the house so they wouldn't wonder what purpose it serves. throw in a 5 port switch that runs off the same power supply and run a few more connector boxes off it to a few of the rooms.

    it would be even better if you were selling the gaff to someone who'd want a good broadband connection and log into it remotely. the thing would likely die of natural causes before anyone went looking for it


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    eth0 wrote: »
    would you need a special cable for this since RJ45 isn't a standard USB connector or have they gone about it some other way?

    i always wanted to throw a small server in between the two floors of a house, just a small fanless embedded thing with a small SSD for storage, along a cat5 cable that was serving some other part of the house so they wouldn't wonder what purpose it serves. throw in a 5 port switch that runs off the same power supply and run a few more connector boxes off it to a few of the rooms.

    it would be even better if you were selling the gaff to someone who'd want a good broadband connection and log into it remotely. the thing would likely die of natural causes before anyone went looking for it

    You could plug the network cable from that hidden server into home plug plugged into a socket hidden betweem the joists?

    btw I have an infallable computer detection device - its called a Long Wave Radio :mad:, just try listening to Radio 4 LW when there is a computer on anywhere nearby ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    More repairs to my little greenhouse.

    Something is crapping in my new raised bed and digging up the plants and leaving crap:eek: Anyone know how i identify it? Can only be a cat or a fox, we get both.
    Also how do I stop it? Would this be illegal?

    16-tons-weight.jpg

    Will it be edible?

    Seriously, any ideas for prevention would be appreciated, I presume I need to add netting or something.

    Oh and can i still eat the lettuce that is growing in the bed. If I eat it raw will I get toxoplasmosis or something?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,615 ✭✭✭kildare.17hmr


    Its likely a cat and not a fox. In urban areas you obviously cant shoot the fecker but you could catch it in a cat trap and give it back to the neighbour who claims to own it. If no one owns it im sure you would not have trouble getting rid of it. Cats are a big bloody pest and need to be controled and to answer your question, no that would not be illegal but defo would not be edible after that!! Haha


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,249 ✭✭✭GY A1


    it'll be bloody cats, craped in all my leuttice to, an when i reseeded the lawn they rooted holes and crapped there to.
    they'll keep comming back to
    bonniebede wrote: »
    More repairs to my little greenhouse.

    Something is crapping in my new raised bed and digging up the plants and leaving crap:eek: Anyone know how i identify it? Can only be a cat or a fox, we get both.
    Also how do I stop it? Would this be illegal?

    16-tons-weight.jpg

    Will it be edible?

    Seriously, any ideas for prevention would be appreciated, I presume I need to add netting or something.

    Oh and can i still eat the lettuce that is growing in the bed. If I eat it raw will I get toxoplasmosis or something?


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Added to food storage, 1 bag of sugar, four tins from tesco value range - meatballs and chicken curry. Will try them out and let you know what I think at some stage.

    also another thermometer, for the car bob FAK.

    and ordered a few bits from deal extreme.

    Shopping is the real way to escape any stress.:rolleyes:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,645 ✭✭✭krissovo


    My prep today will mostly be catching up on what has been going on here :D

    Followed by looking for another job as I have been stuck in the middle of no where the last 3 months and cannot take it more:eek: Now in one of the biggest cities in the world for a couple of weeks R&R and cannot figure a bug out plan for the life of me:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    stored some crap:
    • 3kg of salt
    • pasta
    • oats
    • oil
    • vitamins and minerals
    • tinned fruits

    and spent the evening building the first half or so of a new/bigger/tougher/faster food dehydrator. I had not really planned that for prepery, I just like jerky.

    Im studying for my final exams at the moment, so i need a few post library hours of doing something to unwind


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    mawk wrote: »
    and spent the evening building the first half or so of a new/bigger/tougher/faster food dehydrator. I had not really planned that for prepery, I just like jerky.
    Sounds like fun, whats involved in setting that up?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    Doc Ruby wrote: »
    Sounds like fun, whats involved in setting that up?

    not the worlds most complicated build at all. just something fun for a few hours.

    a case with a layer of foil inside to reflect the light (and make for easy cleaning). A 60w lightbulb for a little warmth and some fans to draw the air out of the case and with it, moisture.

    I pulled a few 80mm computer type fans off something going in a bin last week so im using those. the only possible awkward part is there, I stripped the cables for two of them, and off a transformer (dunno off what, christmas lights?) and soldered the fan cables together and then, them to the transformer to make the fans simple and mains powered.
    then i hole saw'd two holes to fit those and glued the fans on the outside of those. Screws would have worked better but i couldnt find any the right size close to hand.

    light bulb went in a standard ceiling fitting and suspends from the top of the case and is just wired to about ten feet of cable and a plug, just so it can stretch from a socket. nothing fancy

    marinaded meat then goes on a steel mesh on a shelf inside. old one was fairly crap and took about 18-20 hours. hopefully this one will half that.

    ill try remember to stick up some photos when its done


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    I found an oul small but tough plastic bottle into which I decanted some camp fuel, that's about six months supply and it just about squeezes into one of my pouches, with flints and wicks taped to it. Nice. Its amazing the amount of obvious (in hindsight) little things you can do that greatly extend your capabilities.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Ok. I started looking at this site from a vague interest in scifi and a vague interest in prepping and now i've gone nuts.

    What I should be doing is finishing a piece of long overdue academic work which i have to get done by Friday. What I actually did was design a raised bed for the garden, sourced some tanalised wood, got it cut to size, got into the car (miracle) and unloaded it all into the garden.

    Oh and bought a cordless drill from argos which doesn't actually have a drill bit. AAAARGH.

    Thank goodness for Aldi - wouldn't you know, 179 piece drill bit set coming in tomorrow.

    Now here's a question for people who actually make things, like, will those drill bits fit in this drill, is there a standard for for these things? Or do I have to go back to Argos and go postal because their add said 'drill' and the picture showed a drillbit and you don't find out till you get home that there is none in the box:mad:

    Somewhere in my dreams I am the suave master prepper for whom all this runs very somoothly. Can it be that life's not actually like that??:rolleyes:

    Anyway new garden bed design should allow me to deal withe the cat problem. Or if not, maybe the new drill will.:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    bonniebede wrote: »
    Ok. I started looking at this site from a vague interest in scifi and a vague interest in prepping and now i've gone nuts.

    What I should be doing is finishing a piece of long overdue academic work which i have to get done by Friday. What I actually did was design a raised bed for the garden, sourced some tanalised wood, got it cut to size, got into the car (miracle) and unloaded it all into the garden.

    Oh and bought a cordless drill from argos which doesn't actually have a drill bit. AAAARGH.

    Thank goodness for Aldi - wouldn't you know, 179 piece drill bit set coming in tomorrow.

    Now here's a question for people who actually make things, like, will those drill bits fit in this drill, is there a standard for for these things? Or do I have to go back to Argos and go postal because their add said 'drill' and the picture showed a drillbit and you don't find out till you get home that there is none in the box:mad:

    Somewhere in my dreams I am the suave master prepper for whom all this runs very somoothly. Can it be that life's not actually like that??:rolleyes:

    Anyway new garden bed design should allow me to deal withe the cat problem. Or if not, maybe the new drill will.:D

    hey there bonnie, welcome to the madness. and welcome to building things too. drills almost never come with drill bits. some cheap ones do but they usually come with horrible blunt cheap ones. the aldi bits will fit fine, up to about 10mm holes. but beyond that you wont be using a normal drill bit. you will be using 3-6mm ish for a wooden planter( pilot holes for screws or bolts)
    the metal or wood bits will both be fine, but dont use the masonry ones with the sort of flat heads.

    remember: screws are cheap, but **** falling apart is annoying, so add extra.

    if you need any advice, ask here and ill try help.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    @ bonniebede you might not want any drillbits at all, most of the time making up something like you are I drive the screws striaght throw the wood using the drill with a screwdriver bit. Now remember if you do that the screw driver bits don't last that long and the cheap ones not very long at all so if the bit slips in the screwhead it probably needs replacing with a new one.

    My frames are made up of 4inch x 1 1/4inch timber and just butt joined in the corners with 3 number 5 or 6 about 80mm long screws (80mm minimum normally 100mm and when I have them 120mm) but your drill might not handle the larger screw sizes (not have the power) and thats when pre drilling the holes might help at least pre drill the cross grained sections which also helps prevent splitting.

    Edit> If you are driving long screws a tiny bit of lubricant on the tip of the screw goes a long way, traditional methods are to rub the screw thread with a bit of wax candle, bit of soap or even a touch of washing up liquid (using oil is jut tooooo easy), many screws are now pre-lubricated because most are put straight in with a drill/driver but a littly more lubricant often helps.


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Thanks guys, emm, i think i got very sturdy timber:o

    So I'll probably go with the whole pre drilling thing. I'm used to an electric screwdriver for flat packed stuff, i guess this is just one step further.

    What can I say- When they were teaching this stuff at school I was learning to sew and cook.:) (Maybe I should just knit myself a raised bed.)



    kuyck_knitting_girl.jpg

    Hope they have some left on Monday morning, no Sunday shopping for me. I think I'll use this as my 'reward' to motivate me to get some REAL work done. Ahh, the trials of having the strength of character of a three year old.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,615 ✭✭✭kildare.17hmr


    Dont pre drill it will be stronger if you dont!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    Dont pre drill it will be stronger if you dont!

    Depends, on the timber, the screw, how the timber is orientated and if not pre drilling results in the wood splitting. If it is hardwood you are screwing into then you'd normally pre drill every hole, softwood with the right screws not close to end grain you normally wouldn't.

    When I use part thread 120mm #6's there is no way I can drive those without splitting the cross grained timber if I don't pre drill. Pre drilling in that case also allows me to get an acurate start on the direction the screw is going in at, with 1 1/4 inches of end grain to aim at if you go off by a few degrees your in trouble.

    In my case I'd be butting the side of one end of a plank againt the end grain of another (repeating that for the other 3 corners) so I'd pre drill the cross grain side of the plank because I'm near the edge but not pre drill the end grain because the grip you get in it is crap enough to start with.

    2259264833_9e82657444_m.jpg
    I know you can argue thats not very strong but with 3 120mm long screws across 4 inches its more than strong enough and quick to put together provided all you timber is cut squarely. In fact most of the time I'd use one 120mm screw in the middle and slightly shorter ones (cheaper ones as screws that size aren't that cheap) either side of it.

    In that picture above I'd only pre drill the top piece of timber, I'd then use a clamp or vice to hold the joint together while I put the screws in. With part threaded screws if the joint is a bit loose to start with they will pull it up tight. If you use full threaded screws you need to make sure the joint is held very tightly together to start with unless you over drill the top piece of timber (make the whole over sized) because the screws thread is acting equally on both bits of timber and not just one so won't pull the joint tight. - if you understand that you have a better grasp of language than I obviously do :o


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    My plan is to put in corner posts, and screw the boards onto them.

    THat way I can sink the posts abit, as its going against a wall, and i'm only making three sides to it.

    Also the posts can come up above the bed to attach netting to, as its mostly fruit in that bed, and also to stop cats.

    Thinking if i make it and then drop it in place it should work.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭baords dyslexic


    bonniebede wrote: »
    My plan is to put in corner posts, and screw the boards onto them.

    THat way I can sink the posts abit, as its going against a wall, and i'm only making three sides to it.

    Also the posts can come up above the bed to attach netting to, as its mostly fruit in that bed, and also to stop cats.

    Thinking if i make it and then drop it in place it should work.

    If you put in a 4th side it will help make it easier to drop in place, doesn't need to be in the same wood or even across the back, a piece of timber temporarly screwed across the middle of it will help hold it all square while you move it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 563 ✭✭✭bonniebede


    Bought stuff of course:rolleyes:

    Hexamine tabs.

    nice dry sack, planning to rearrange gear so it can be more easily divided between a teotwawki bag and an ordinary walk in the mountains bag, using the same bag but with lift in and out bits.

    More garden wire. I lost the last bit. I never knew I had so many uses for it till i got some to make snares, now I'm lost without it.

    Duct tape. Have no idea what to do with it, but everyone seems to include it in their kit. Ideas on a postcard please!:)

    Dibber for the garden. Now I know it makes sense, having planted stuff out without one. Yahoo, an actual, honest to God need driven purchase.

    Out door thermometer for the garden.

    Nice little RHS family gardening book, lots of pictures, for a friend with small children. The little lad of three wants to 'be a farmer' so a little urban plot might be a good start.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    finally made my survival tin last night. fit a lot of crap in!


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