Thursday, June 28, 2012

Publicly Traded Firearms and Ammuntion Companies

Doing a little reseach, I've put together a list of publicly traded companies in the firearms business.  Many major manurfacturers and most ammo manufactureres are private companies (and closed to nosey public inspections).
The stock ticker symbols are:
 
SWHC - Smith & Wesson; TASR- Taser International; MTSX -  Metal Storm Ltd; GD - General Dynamics; OLN - Olin Manufacturing; ATK - Allient Techsystems; RGR - Ruge
I've set up a "Watch List" to check the progress of these companies.  Today, not so good. #Preppers and survivors should be interested in these stocks.  On a seperate note, I also have a "Watch List" of major Defense company stocks...they are down as well!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

50,000 Evacuees from Fire...Where do you go?


Colorado Springs is burning....Mountain towns like Woodland Park are threatened. Where on earth do 50,000 people go?  Many will have no home to return to.  lots of apartments in Colorado Springs, but not that many vacancies! For many this will be long term...what on earth do you do?

Monday, June 18, 2012

Underground Living...A Home & A Bunker!

As a former Designer-Builder of Solar Homes & Structures, I always built above ground.  Looking forward, I can see many advantages in underground or Earth Sheltered designs, particularly as a #prepper.  For one to maintain safety for your family, you only need one structure....not two (home + bunker)!

Underground construction, back East in Upstate NY where I worked, cost a large percentage of constructions costs for water-proofing, due to snow and rain...and ground water.

Now remote land in the high desert or mountains, requires less waterproofing and more modern materials exist.

Depending on family size and how many you need to "shelter" will obviously determine your costs.  My current studio apartment is 12" 6" X 20' 6" (256 Sq Ft)  It has everything I need.  If built as a stand alone cabin in the woods, I'd add a loft for a bedroom, and a deck or porch.  Plenty big enough for one person.

Built as a cave home, or into a hillside, adding aluminum security shutters on exterior windows.  You have a secure area.  Easily under $100,000.

Underground-Homes

Cave Homes

$50 & Up Underground Homes!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Forest Fire Survival



With record breaking Forest Fires in Colorado and New Mexico now burning, and people's retreats burned to the ground, Fire Survival is critical.  Your retreat has to survive as well as your family and critters!

Underground construction with concrete would seem ideal.  Above ground, build your cabin or retreat of materials that resist fire as much as possible...tile or metal roofs, concrete or stucco siding, & full log siding is relatively fire resistant.

Clear the area around your home for about 100 yards of flammable material (also creates clear field of fire). Keep grass and brush trimmed or choose plants that are fairly green most of the time (don't dry out).  Bury your propane tank if you have one, cover top with gravel, keep firewood away from your house (insect reason too).  Many states now require these items on all new construction...some states or counties require sprinkler systems on rural homes.

Building your cabin in the woods, surrounded by trees, with a wood shake roof are a thing of the past.  Are you #prepared for Fire Season?

Kudos to the brave men & women who help fight Wild Fires, risking their lives to protect people & property!  In 2006, my son and I took part in Wild Fire Training in Colorado Springs, CO.  It involved wearing a lead weighted 40 pound vest crammed with instruments, to measure vital signs, while walking 4 miles as fast as possible and climbing up an 18" step as many times as possible in 5 minutes! At age 57, I wasn't first, but I finished and wasn't last!  It was one of the most strenuous things I've ever done!

Fire Resistant Construction

Log Homes

Fire Resistant Construction Requirements

Aluminum Security Shutters

Steel Security & Fire Doors

Underground Homes

Fire Resistant Plants

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Free Kindle Books on Prepping!

One of the first things I did when I got my Kindle Fire a month ago, was to research books on Prepping. I've loaded several that were free.  many more are available at $0.99 to $2.99 range.  There are many for every situation from general surviving and prepping to specific Tornado's, Earthquakes, Nuclear War and other specific scenarios. Go online & check them out!

The Everything Grow Your Own Vegetable Book by Catherine Abbott  A large ammount of information, well organized with illustrations.

Woodcraft & Camping by George Washington Sears

Backpack Gourmet by Linda F Yaffe  A great tie in to the current Mountain House 20% to 25% off sale!

Basic Soap Making by Elizabeth Letcavage - Editor  An informative book with nice color illustrations and photo's.

Prepping for Off Grid Survival by Nicholas Hyde  Covers many of the the key topics of any prepper homested.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Learn to Use Hand Tools for Carpentry and Woodworking

I come from 3-4 generations of German carpenters and woodworkers.  I've build a boat, made furniture and designed and built energy efficient passive solar homes.  From the time I was a wee lad, working with my grandfather and uncle, I started out using hand tools to cut and shape wood.  Anything that can be done with modern power tools are just an extension of hand tools.

There is something tranquil about using hand tools though...it's quiet, doesn't create huge clouds of dust or the need for noisy dust collectors.  You use your body & mind together in a way a power tool just doesn't.

One aspect I'll briefly mention as a #Prepper...if there is an EMP...power tools will not work!

For the price of a professional table saw, $1,000+, you can buy quite a few quality hand tools.  Taken care of, hand tools last for generations....so do power tools, as my grandfather's & uncle's tools still exist with my cousin!

Hand tools are also far less dangerous for a beginner to learn woodworking with....I'd recommend anyone, young or adult, first learn to use hand tools.  It is better to have quality than quantity.  Tools are one of those things, you get what you pay for.  If you don't have a relative to teach you, get a good book form Amazon or even the library.  Several great catalogs exist for quality hand tools as well as places like Ace Hardware, Sears, or Home Depot.  Some stores even offer woodworking classes...a good idea!

Here are some good catalog links for hand tools.

Traditional Woodworker

Garrett Wade

Rockler

Stanley Tools

Woodcraft