Field Improvised Fixes, whats yours?

[RogerinTPA]

I want to start a discussion about field improvising, thinking outside the box, to fix whatever you got with what you have.

Examples of some that I've heard, and some that I've used:

Replacing a broken fan belt with a piece of rope or panty hose.

Using a .22 shell case to replace the old style car fuses (highly NOT recommended).

Using a vehicle battery to power an electric well pump.

Jump start another vehicle without jumper cables.

You get the Idea. Tell us what happened and what your method was to remedy the situation. Disclaimer, no offense to Rednecks!

Edited by moderator: Excellent post... I only moved it because it seemed to fit in this forum better.

One Rule: When listing a "trick", please note if you have actually tried it and know for sure that it works -- otherwise please state that you do not know for sure that it works.

[Jay Cunningham]

Zip-ties and 100mph tape can fix *anything*...

[Thomas M-4]

I will list a few things that I have heard about.
Uncooked potato cut in half pushed in a hole in the radiator.
Pepper pored int the radiator supposed to slow down or stop minor leaks.
Most radiator leaks start close to the hose clamp just cut off the part that leaks and reinstall.[I have done that a few times works good when you can]

Wrap aluminum foil around blown fuses [bubble gum wrapper is supposed to work to]

If I can think of any more I will repost.

[sjc3081]

Bicycle tire tube to fill the gap between my Cab and pickup cap. This allow use of cab heater to enter and remain in truck bed and keep windows ice free in the winter.

[rat31465]

My father once used hairspray to dry out a distributor on a vehicle that wouldn't start after the engine got wet crossing a flooded creek.

Baby powder will quiet down a fan belt that squalls.

Hot glue sticks and a bic lighter for temporary fixes to smaller holes in a boat or canoe.

Kotex pads in the first aid kit for wound compresses/bandages.

Everyone knows that you can urinate in an over heated radiator of a car low on coolant when antifreeze/water isnt available.

Rubbing an apple core on wiper blades will clean the blades and keep them from squeeking.

[Thomas M-4]

Coka-cola on corroded battery terminals [works pretty good]
Coka-cola on fan belt squalls [surprisingly it does work ]

[RogerinTPA]

Kotex pads in the first aid kit for wound compresses/bandages.

Man I can't believe I forgot that one. They make excellent compression bandages!

[Kfgk14]

If your Camelbak fails on you, take a bike squirt bottle (the kind with a deep groove around the body) and tie it with paracord to the shoulder strap of your pack/armor/vest/etc with a piece of paracord just long enough you can get the bottle to your mouth. To secure it, you can put a little EMS carabiner at a sufficiently lower on the vest or further down the shoulder strap into a loop of webbing and then take another piece of cordage tied to the bottle with a loop in the end so that you can clip it into the lower carabiner. I know that's kinda confusing, but I could do pictures...

[TommyG]

We have always saved ruined bicycle tubes and I usually have one in the truck. Cut them to width and you a very strong rubber band. I have used a length of it over a worn smooth pistol grip for better purchase. Long strips can be cut for binding, tourniquet, etc.

Squares of tube and duct tape make a passable waterproof patch for containers, etc.

The entire tube is easy to configure into a useable sling in a first aid situation.

I have not had to use it yet but I suspect a cut strip of the complete loop doubled or tripled over for length would make a passable fan belt for the vehicle in a pinch.

They weight very little, are small, and have come in very handy in many situations.

Oh yeah, if you are out riding your bike and get a flat and have no spare tubes, stuff your tire as full as you can with leaves and pine needles (or the equivalent from the local environment) and re-seat the bead. It will be like riding on a tire with low air, but it will keep you from having to walk the bike or damaging the wheel by riding on the flat tire.

[Brimstone]

Instead of rail protectors on my AR I filled the slots by wrapping the handguard with black 50lbs sash cord. I have almost 20' on it. Works for shoelaces, fixing slings, tournequiets, carry handles, etc

Pics of that?