Projects
FWD recumbent trike
I had an idea of making a skate type quadracycle. I felt this would be a fun racing vehicle on a short tight-turn course. Before making a full scale mock-up I wanted to test out the idea of using neoprene wheels. I purchased two wheels from a push scooter outfit and decided to…
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The Cycle Kart
For PDF plans, click here! Once my other prototype proved the neoprene wheels would work, I ordered 4 wheels from a push scooter outfit. These are 9″ in diameter, which are bigger than most. A BMX free wheel hub was added to the drive wheel. I don’t have proper machining tools for accuracy, but I…
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Cooking oil candle stove
I made this heater/stove for a small push cart shelter. For the main housing I used a Costco peanut can. This top view with the lid off shows the three vegetable oil candles. To make the you first need a floating wick. I used a small 3/8″ length of wine cork. I drilled a…
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Ammo box stove
This was my version of the air tight Ammo stove. The box I had was pretty small in comparison to others I’d seen. It was fun to build but the fire wouldn’t last for more than a half hour. I was hoping for a longer burn time. The bolt on the front (left) of the…
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DIY car top carrier
Here I am playing around again with a $20 sheet of 4×8 foot 4mm thick fluted plastic. I thought I’d make a car top carrier. I buy my fluted plastic at Laird Plastics Inc. (206-623-4900) in downtown Seattle Washington where they stock several thicknesses, sizes and color choices. Made with zip ties and held down…
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Survival kits
First I want to say that a common space blanket is one of the best things to carry on a day hike. Here I’m exploring more than just keeping warm. In 1986 Mother Earth News asked a few Outdoor experts to come up with a DIY survival kit. They were all huge and too big…
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Survival mailbox stove
Made with a mailbox, bent electrical conduit, copper wire and a rain gutter, this was an experiment in what a person could use around their home to create a make-shift stove for cooking and boiling contaminated water in case of a natural disaster. I used a drill for holes, but you could use a nail…
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Teardrop bicycle cover
This was an attempt to make a teardrop shell fiberglass plug for my road bike. Plywood ribs were attached together using 90 degree brackets. Holes spaced 4″ apart were drilled on the rib edges. 1/8″ wire was treaded thru the holes. Thin wire was used to attach the chicken wire to the 1/8″ wire…
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Paint can swamp cooler
This was an attempt at making a small traveling swamp cooler for a vehicle without air conditioning. The fan sucked air thru the small holes on the sides and thru the damp cloth wall lining. A small fountain pump pushed water up to the round tube. Multiple holes were drilled on the bottom of the…
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Tea candle survival stove
Made with sheet aluminum, I made three identical stands and taped them together. A jar lid was used to make the base that holds the candles. Notches were made to hold an aluminum can. I coped off the lid to the can and spray painted it with dull black stove paint. Here I’m cooking a…
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