Introduction: Outdoor MakeKit V2.0

About: Hi I'm Alex and I love to make stuff! I mainly work with different metals but I also love to explore new (to me) materials and dabble in woodworking, jewelry, knife making, design and many more.

Hi Instructables Community,

this week I would like to share with you a kit that I've been thinking about for quite some time now. I named it version two because the first version was something I put together almost 15 years ago during basic training in the army. At the time we learned how to make a kit that we could use in the field to assist us with preparing shelter, maintain and repair equipment and parts of our kit as well as making live a little more convenient. These kits were called Pi-Pack (pi would be the abbreviated form of the word pioneer which in the military is a soldier that is specialized on construction & engineering tasks). In opposite to almost all other things the make up of those kits was not regimented but instead followed a loose list of items and recommendations based on the experiences of senior soldiers. The kit was usually part of the first or second line of equipment and in opposite to the survival kit (Which should only be used in an actual emergency) parts of the kit would be used regularly and later replenished.

I have since then thought about revisiting this concept and after reading SeamstersMakeKit Instructable the thought came back to my mind. A first step was now to make a large comprehensive version that would be carried inside a backpack (or bug out bag, INCH bag etc.) along with some other items that would complement it.

I have planned two more versions of this kit with one being medium sized to fit into your second line and the other small to fit into the pockets of your pants or jacket.

Please check the last step for info on the March 2016 Giveaway.

Cheers Alex

PS: This Instructable was admitted to the "Full Spectrum Laser Contest" and "Hack Your Day Contest". If you like my work I would really appreciate your votes! Thank you all!

Step 1: Not Included Items

There are a number of items that either didn't fit inside the kit or are already part of my EDC (Every Day Carry). These items are:

Paracord organizer

I keep one of these DIY paracord organizers in my backpack at all times. This variant holds approx. 10m (30Ft) of paracord whilst taking up just a small amount of space. This item is already on my list for a future Mini Project Instructable.

Multitool

I do not carry many EDC items but a multitool has been something I carried on an almost daily basis whenever and wherever possible. My current favourite due to its low weight & versatility is the Gerber Strata which I had for a few years now. My choice when heading outdoors however is the Leatherman Wave which packs more tools but also more weight. I guess the choice of the right multitool is a very personal one.

Lighters

I also carry a Bic Mini along with a small jet flame lighter. from starting a fire, melting the ends of paracord, (de-)soldering electronic items there is an almost endless array of applications.

Step 2: Tools

There are also the following tools included:

Wire saw

Along with a green stick one can quickly improvise a simple bow saw. These do however have their limitations that one should be aware of. Felling a tree is well outside its capabilities. when building shelter and with smaller diameters of wood this kind of saw can safe you lots of time and energy. I will demonstrate this in a future Quick Skills project.

Awl

An awl can be used for a wide range of tasks from using it as a marking tool, piercing small holes into leather and other fabrics to making small holes into wood when crafting tools & weapons.

Gimlet

This is a small and lightweight tool to drill relatively clean holes into wood with a minimum of energy.

Hacksaw blade

This is a length of a metal cutting saw and apart from cutting metal it can also be used as striker with a ferro rod to start a fire.

Utility Knife Blades

These come in handy for precise cutting tasks but can also be used to make tools and improvise weapons.

Pencil & Sharpener

Not only good for taking notes but also good to create tinder for a fire. Even when twigs are wet from the outside the sharpener will produce dry tinder if the core is dry. Wipe the outside of the twig dry and start to use it like a pencil the result are dry shavings that should catch a flame quickly.

Chalk

Chalk is inexpensive and will write on most surfaces. I wrapped this piece in some tin foil to protect the chalk and the other contents of the kit. You can use it to mark measurements on building materials when building a shelter or to mark the path your walking for yourself or others.

Step 3: Fastenings and Adhesives

I included a wide range of fastenings and adhesives that can be used for a wide range of tasks from building shelter, improving structures, improvising shelter & tools making traps etc.. I used pieces of cardboard to organize screws and nails in addition this also keeps them from creating unwanted noises. This takes up more space however and you would have to decide whether you wanted to use the space for something else or reduce the noise this kit creates.

Included are:

  1. 3x 2 1/2" (6,5cm) Nails
  2. 20x 1 1/2" (4cm) Nails
  3. 20x 1" (2,5cm) Roofing Nails
  4. 20x U Staple Nails
  5. 4x 3" (7,5cm) Nails
  6. 5x Hook screws
  7. 5x Eye screws
  8. 2 stainless steel shackles
  9. 7 Thumb tacks/Drawing pins
  10. 4 small carabiner swivels
  11. Assorted needles (Leather needle, upholstery needle, sack needle, sewing needles)
  12. 5 Large safety pins
  13. 5 Small safety pins
  14. 1 Large & 1 small paper clip
  15. 2 Large Velcro fastening loops
  16. 20cm of adhesive ripstop fabric tape
  17. 8ml Cyano Acrylate (Superglue)
  18. 2 Sticks of hot glue
  19. 20cm of self-cling camo wrap
  20. 10m of 1 1/2" olive duct tape
  21. 10cm of glue pads

Step 4: Cordage & Sewing Kit

The cordage I have included can be used for a variety of tasks around the camp. From lashing together poles for a shelter, as fishing line, snares, sewing thread, fire starting tinder etc..

Included are:

  1. 10'/3m reflective thread for marking purposes
  2. 33'/10m Mason's lacing cord
  3. 33'/10m braided fishing line
  4. 150'/50m crafting wire
  5. 10'/3m organic twine
  6. 4 steel wire leaders
  7. 2 cotton wicks
  8. Assorted sewing threads
  9. 300'/100m multi purpose thread
  10. Assorted sewing needles
  11. Pack of assorted buttons
  12. 1,5m/4 1/2' measuring tape

Step 5: ​Miscellaneous

In this category I have included items that didn't fit into any of the previous categories (or which I mistakenly photographed in the wrong category :P).

Included are:

  1. Compression & tension springs for improvising tripwire alarms and other things.
  2. Length of plastic coated twist ties - these are good to close a bag or create weak temporary lashings
  3. Cord stopper (Cord Lock)
  4. Shackles (I know I had them on the previous step)
  5. 2 rubber bands - Adds a little flexibility to this kit ;)
  6. 1 square meter (1,2 square yards) of tin foil - Signalling, marking wrapping things....
  7. 1 cotton cleaning pad - Fire starter
  8. 2 candles/tea lights - Light source, fire starting help etc.
  9. 2 pieces of Styrofoam - Improvised floats for fishing, improvise a compass
  10. Steel wool - Fire starter, cleaning accessory...
  11. Cotton wool - Fire Starter, protective padding for breakable items
  12. Tampon - hygiene, first aid, fire starter etc...
  13. 2 Red & 2 Green mini chem lights - Light sources, signalling, marking, tripwire....
  14. 2 regular & 3 mini clothes pegs - Hanging out your washing, tripwires, temporary fasteners
  15. 6 pieces of plastic straws - Use them as straws, improvise filters, improvise water tight containers...
  16. Length of PH test paper - test the acidity of water
  17. 2 pieces of heat shrink tubing - Fastening, protective layer etc.
  18. 2 Large & 5 small zip ties - these should have been included in the Fastening step
  19. 4 one liter plastic bags
  20. 2 coffee filters & 2 teabags - Make yourself a brew or improvise a waterfilter

Step 6: Monthly Giveaway

You can win one of three Let's Prep "Tinder" Skill Builder Kits including a 3-Month Instructables Pro Account.

The kit shown is the current work in progress of the Skill Builder kit which includes a number of natural and synthetic materials. The whole concept is still very much in development and I will publish Instructables & videos accordingly once I know where I really want to go with this.

All you have to do is to subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave me a comment at this video and include "I want to go out and learn something new!" & your Instructables username. You have until the 15th May 2016 1800 GMT to participate after which I will announce the winners on my FB, Twitter & Blog. (Only entries from the EU, Norway, Switzerland, USA & Canada are eligible to get the full package mailed (please understand that I pay for this myself), residents of other countries may only receive the Pro-Account).