Compact cook kit with a woodstove for Christmas

A few of my Christmas gift recipients are getting a compact cook kit, which includes a 24oz. cook pot with strainer lid, an insulated cup, and a wood burning stove. I made roll top storage bags to complete the package. The wood burning stove has five pieces, a base, a fire chamber, a stack with … Continue reading Compact cook kit with a woodstove for Christmas →

DIY Christmas Gifts – Production begins.

September seems like a good time for me to start production of Christmas gifts for my recipients. As the days get shorter, colder, and wetter, working indoors is far more productive. Here are some of the components necessary to complete one of the gifts, while I'm awaiting delivery of straps and hardware. This will … Continue reading DIY Christmas Gifts – Production begins. →

Cutting tools for field, forest, survival, and defense.

Here I show some of the hand tools that I use, and give an idea of their primary purpose, and my philosophy of use. Field and forest. Many consider the axe to be the predominate hand tool for working in wooded areas. It certainly out performs smaller tools that can accomplish the same task, but … Continue reading Cutting tools for field, forest, survival, and defense. →

Duffel/Backpack DIY Project

Here is a project that I am working on. A duffel style backpack for Sheila's car, a hatchback SUV. Constructed of 1000 denier Cordura nylon, 500 denier Cordura nylon attachments, polyester lining, YKK #10 coil compartment zippers, and heavy nylon straps with adjustable side release buckles. Camo pattern is True Timber MC2 - purple with … Continue reading Duffel/Backpack DIY Project →

Sew Relaxing

As a sewing hobbyist, I find sewing to be very relaxing pastime. As with any hobby, one's mind can become completely enveloped in their task, reducing pressure from one's worries of their world, or the tension of issues in one's day. Listening to music and enjoying one's favorite beverage (coffee for me, please) while sewing, … Continue reading Sew Relaxing →

My Sewing Machine Arsenal

I realized that I had been aesthetically drawn to many of the older Singer models. There's something about a classic design that is appealing to me. It's not like I needed another sewing machine, but I wanted something special, something in classic black, something that was revered universally to be the top of it's class in it's day.

Beginner sewing – Thread

Thread! Where do I start? Usually on the loose end of the spool. (just kidding) Originally I was looking for something that was very strong, rot, mildew, and abrasion resistant, as my main objective was to create outdoor/camping/backpacking gear. I tried with some success to use Power Pro 100% Spectra fiber 20 and 25 pound … Continue reading Beginner sewing – Thread →

Beginner sewing – First projects

I started sewing last year. An odd hobby for a 62 year old man to take up. My interest in sewing was spurred by my interest in examining the mechanical synchronies of a sewing machine, and an interest in producing outdoor gear products for myself. I found a Montgomery Ward Model URR 787 - 21 … Continue reading Beginner sewing – First projects →