The 5 Dollar Preps series is to show people that even if you don’t have a lot of extra cash you can still do a lot to get prepared. Last week we got some first aid supplies and a basic fishing kit. This week Zack got some things for gun cleaning, and I put together a small sewing kit for my Bug Out Bag.
Lucas
I started with a little travel sewing kit for $1.37. It came with a tiny pair of scissors which is always useful, and a thimble. It also came with several small spools of thread, which is much better for light packing than a full sized spool you will probably never need.
I beefed up this little kit with two packs of needles. One variety pack of standard needles for a whopping $0.67 cents, and a pack of heavy duty needles for bigger jobs like canvas for $1.67.
Finally, I found some really cool stuff called Bondex Outdoor Restore, that is basically peel and stick nylon. For $1.77 I can cut a square of this stuff and patch a tent, backpack, or jacket that would not be at all possible to sew. Not that it really matters much, but they sell it in several colors.
Zack
Zack got the essentials for gun cleaning that will get used up the fastest; cotton patches and cleaning solvent. Gun cleaning supplies will get used up just like anything else but aren’t something you hear people mention often in their survival gear.
The cotton patches are just a bulk pack of Winchester cotton patches that you have to cut up yourself, but for $2.97, not a bad deal.
The cleaning solvent is of course, Hoppe’s No. 9. Zack got a 4 oz bottle at the store for $2.97, but I come home to find out they actually sell it by the quart online. Or if you you don’t want to keep a giant quart bottle of this rather potent stuff all in once place, Amazon has a 10 pack of 4 oz bottles for $9.79.
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My name is Lucas and I run SurvivalCache along with the help of several great contributing authors. You can read more on the
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Hey Lucas – good sewing kit idea. Another item to add that adds zero weight – a couple of yards of monofilament fishing line. Great for tarp, poncho, or backpack emergency repairs. With the new flexible lines that are out, you can easily use 20lb test and have an excellent repair "thread".
Steve,
Good tip. I actually have some 15lb pound line in my basic fishing kit that I talked about in 5 dollar preps last week but I hadn't thought about using it for sewing. I can see how it would work well for things that are move heavy duty.
Thanks for the good idea
another thing to think of with that line is stiches it works but it is not the best thing to use a line of the dental floss works better non mint.
Mono filament is good, but braided Dacron fishing line is better. 50 lb rated Dacron line is the diameter equivalent of 8 lb mono line. It cost a little more, but it lasts FOREVER, and is easier to sew with if needed. Some brands of the Dacron I like and use are spider-wire and gorilla-braid, both available at sporting goods stores.
diesel,
The Dacron sounds good, 5 times the strength in the same size line. I might have to pick some up next time I am at sportsman's warehouse.
How much more expensive are we talking?
the thread in those cheap sewing kits is crap, as are the scissors. Like premade first-aid kits, don't bother, build your own. Sewing is a survival skill often forgotten or underestimated. Get good gear from the ladies at the FABRIC STORE. Monofilament is scratchy and stiff, dental floss is a better emergency thread. Or buy some real thread, in black, gray, brown, (cotton wrapped poly, buttonhole twist, upholstery thread) and wind it off onto a clear plastic sewing machine bobbin for more compact storage.. Your sewing kit should also contain many safety pins, and some curved needles make sure the eyes are big enough for your thread. a tiny pair of GOOD scissors (mundial, fiskars, gingher) is a good survival tool, not just for sewing.
I stopped using Hoppes and use only Break-Free now on my guns..not one rust spot and the bores are as clean as new…maybe better. It cuts down on keeping oil, cleaner and such when you take it all in one bottle. I even found it works well with 22 lead-head bullets…cleans the lead out just like brass.