Survival Article Contest !! Maxpedition Monsoon GearSlinger

[Diesel]

Ok folks

This is going to be a little different.

This is going to be done Raffle style ( a raffle application is being installed and will track all of this for us, to be posted shortly)

The Basics:

For every QUALITY article you submit here in this thread with pictures about any survival topic you will receive 1 Virtual Raffle Ticket

The more articles you submit the more tickets you get and the better your chance is to win!

Contest starts now and ends Aug 1st

The purpose is to stimulate your thinking about what you're an expert at or have deep knowledge of, and at the same time adding content and articles to the main site bringing in more visitors and potentially more family here on the forum so it's a win win for everyone

Article concepts and ideas:

• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing
• Farming
• camping
• Building & construction i.e cabin
• Bushcraft
• Homesteading skills
• Recipes
• Primitive cooking
• Solar power
• hydro power
• Military skills you have acquired
• How to's (anything like making a knife from scratch, making a cookstove etc)

Don't be afraid to submit a diff topic or concept or ask, the above list are just suggestions

All articles will become property of Survivalmagazine.org if submitted here

We reserve the right to reject an article, or ask for it to be expanded on

Think your typical magazine article you see in print can be anywhere from a half page to several pages.

They should be atleast a few paragraphs and original content, nothing copied

For examples please see some of the existing articles on the site

http://www.survivalmagazine.org/blog/

Tips: the more pics and step by step you can include the better the article and the better it will be received.


BONUS TICKETS:

• FIRST acceptable article submitted gets 3 tickets (3)
• Articles Submitted in the next 7 days will receive double Tickets (2)
• I will also Pick the BEST 2 Articles and give those articles a total of 5 RAFFLE tickets each! (5)

POST your articles right here in this thread

The Prize:

BRAND new never used, still with the tags on it. It's Khaki/Desert Tan with Foliage Green accents



Product Features

Dimensions (main compartment) : 18" (High) Tapers from 16" wide at base to 6" wide at top.
Total Capacity : Over 1600 cu. in.
Hydration (two) : Up to a 100oz/3L CamelBak reservoir (rear hydration pocket), 32oz/1L Nalgene (side pouch) (sold separately)
Shoulder Support : Wide shoulder strap (tapers from 4.5" to 3")
Waist Support : Concealable 1.5" waist strap
Empty Weight: 2.8 lbs
Optional accessories : Hook & Loop Modular Accessories, Grimloc Carabiner

The Maxpedition GearSlinger series is our premium line of single shoulder packs that bridge the design/functional gap between our classic double shoulder strap Backpacks and our uniquely innovative Versipacks. The single shoulder design allows faster on-and-off, particularly over LBV and body armor and are superior to backpacks in terms of balance and comfort when using a single strap. While there are other "messenger" bags on the market, Maxpedition promises a much more durable product with all the bells and whistles needed for life on the battlefield and in everyday urban use. You can expect the Maxpedition quality and "thoughtfulness" you have come to depend upon and love.

The Monsoon GearSlinger (#0410) is our large size single shoulder pack with over 1600 total cu. in. of total capacity. The quick release padded non-slip shoulder strap has two separate sets of PALS webbing for attachment of accessories. Based on a triangular design, the main compartment contains numerous internal accessory pockets. There is a small internal pocket for iPod or Walkman with rubberized head-phone port. Contents are protected by a padded front cover which is secured by a 2" Q.R. buckle while contents are secured by two criss-crossed compression straps. On one side there are three rows of PALS webbing over a flat concealed pocket while the other side sport a water bottle pocket capable of holding a 32oz/1L Nalgene. A 1.5" adjustable waist strap provides additional support and security; this waist strap can be stowed away in a built-in small elastic pocket. There are drain hole grommets throughout and three high airflow islands to keep your back cool.

The Monsoon is compatible with hydration system up to 100oz/3L reservoir (e.g. Camelbak HotShot). The hydration pocket is also equipped with loop side Velcro for attachment of our Hook & Loop Modular Accessories such as #3501 Universal Modular Holster.

As seen here: http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/...inger-2p11.htm


$129 Value

[Echo2]

10-4......sounds good

[maric]

lol.. Roger that... Sounds like fun! In in!

[Echo2]

new...right?...:)

[Diesel]

YEP new articles ;)

Thanks guys n gals can't wait to see what ya turn out

Good luck

[emergprep]

You got it, I'm in!

[Echo2]

Rocket Stove Part 1

Let me first start out by saying that the concept for this stove was originally put forth by Dr. Larry Winiarski, in 1982. The design was intended for 3rd world countries where fuel for cooking was at a premium....yet scrub brush and heavy weeds are in abundance. The principal is quite simple....a very small...bottom fed....insulated....combustion chamber.....onto which you can cook over the exhaust vent.

The local metal scrap yard in my area of operation.....generally has an abundance of tanks....these vary in sizes and shape. Being the scavenger that I am, asked about them, and why they had piles and piles of these things. Turns out they have a hard time recycling a closed vessel of any type. I asked I they'd part with a couple....and I was told to take as many as I'd like...FOR FREE....and I have.

You basically begin with making sure the tank is empty.....do this outside. First open the valve and listen for any venting (if venting gas...close and move on to the next bottle). Once you are sure the valve is open and there is no venting....if possible...use a wrench and remove the valve from the tank. I like the A/C refrigerant tanks.

The first step is to find the edge of the dome on the top of the tank and mark it. Then using the tool of your choice (I like slicer wheels on a grinder for this....035" thick)....and cut the top off.



Once this is done you will need to find material suitable combustion chamber and flu. I dug through my scrap and found a piece of 3" x 3" x 1/8" sq tube steel....and a piece of 4" pipe to use. I laid out a cut for the hole in the tank....and for the flu pipe with a sharpie marker.



As you can see....I kept the bottom of the combustion chamber up a bit on the tank. It is a bit of a trick to use the grinder to cut the holes....but I have found it to be the best tool for the job.



Here is where we get a bit fancy. I found a top off a 55 gallon drum....and traced the top of my tank on to it....you can use the grinder to cut it out....but I used my electric shears. You'll also notice that I tack welded the combustion chamber to the flu pipe.



I then traced the flu pipe on to the circle I made....and I used a torch to cut it out. (a Dremel or hole saw could be used for this). I then tacked the small circle on to the bottom of the flu pipe.



The next step is to fit the chamber and flu assembly in to the tank. I did a couple dry fits before I welded it together....then fit it into the tank.



In part 2 of the article....we will fit the top....make legs....and insulate the chamber. Thanks for reading.

Echo2

[Echo2]

D.....that's what you want?.....:)

[hminus]

That is a great idea.. Echo.. good article on the rocket stove. I am going to try to make one.

[Diesel]

excellent job prob going to want to merge part 1 and 2 together but great job and you are the winner of the 1st post bonus congrats 3 tickets to Echo2

[maric]

Again.. We need a "like" button! Great post Echo! :)

[Echo2]

I got a few pics for the part two....should have it up by the end of the weekend.

[Echo2]

The Validity of Going to Yard Sales for the Prepper

We all have drove buy them....and most of us has stopped at one from time to time, But have you ever thought of how a yard sale can be a valuable tool for prepping? Be it a yard sale, estate sale, garage sale, or community bizarre....you can find all sorts of very useful items for insanely low prices. You have to take the time to search though.

In my experience, I have found that some areas are better than others. A community that has many younger couples tend to have a lot of toys and baby clothes. This really isn't the place to find the "prepping gold". If you are preparing for a new arrival (baby), then by all means, use this to your advantage.

The communities that I have found to have the more valuable gear, is the middle age and older crowd. The middle-aged folks have sales to lean out the stuff they used to go camping with the kids....and items for cooking for larger groups. The older communities have folks selling off the "outdated items" they don't deem as useful anymore.

I like looking for the prepping items such as canning supplies, camping supplies, cooking gear, tools, you name it....it can be had. These Items were found at a small yard sale across from a local garage in my area...all pictured items below were less than $20.00



We do a lot of canning around harvest time....actually it's year round....but get's kicked into over drive around that time. I keep this in mind when ever I stop. Always ask about canning supplies. This pic show a large stainless steel pot with a long handle, a large strainer, a Raven's Head jar, 2 grinders, and a bunch of lids that tested ok when tried on water.





I will also never pay retail for another bike for as long as I live. I found the Mrs a DimondBack bike for $20.00. The bike pictured below is a Trex...it retails for about $400.00....it was had for $35.00.



A Shoe Last....or Cobblers Anvil....could come in handy....had for a couple dollars.



A microscope for a quarter found a new home with me.



And various other assorted items.....







I guess what I'm trying to say, is with a little time investment, and knowing where to look in your area, you can find some real gems. Not only do you have the opportunity to find some great deals on very solid merchandise, you may find some folks willing to share a story about "that old canner"....or "that back pack there has been to..." You never really know what you will find.

This is also the best time to practice your haggling techniques. My rule of thumb is to offer 1/2 to 2/3 of what they are asking, a lot of the time they'll take it. You will only want to go up in 10% incriments....or split the difference of their counter offer. If it is something you think you may or may not use...be prepared to walk away....the next sale is right around the corner.

It helps to take a friend, and START EARLY. The vultures come out here around 6:30am. Don't get discouraged if you don't find something every time....but when you do find that $300.00 All American Pressure Canner for $3.00....It will take quite a while for the grin to vanish from your face.

Echo2

[Diesel]

another outstanding article, maybe mod it with tips and tactics? or a 2nd article?

2 tix to you, something tells me u want to win :)

[Echo2]

another outstanding article, maybe mods it with tip and tactics? or a 2nd article?

2 tix to you, something tells me u want to win :)

It's a combination of getting home late from work....and primetime reruns....:)