Latest update April 29th, 2018 8:52 PM
Keep Spare Parts With Your Preps
I can’t emphasize enough, to keep important spare parts and supplies to repair your essential systems! For your preps (and/or anything you value) that has moving parts, parts that will wear out, or parts that might break, it is an important part of your overall preparedness planning to keep spares – spare parts – spare assemblies.
During times of disruption (or worse), you might not be able to drive to the local hardware store, automotive store, parts supply store, Home Depot, Lowe’s, or the lumber yard, etc. to buy what you need when something breaks or when you need to build or replace something…
Without spare parts or the supplies necessary to adapt and repair something, you have something that is essentially useless for it’s intended purpose when it breaks.
It is essential that you first list the most important life-sustaining prep items or systems that you rely on for survival or well being, and then determine what spare parts would be prudent to have on hand for them. Work your way down to non-essentials, but concentrate on those which are mechanical or could potentially break down.
Just a few quick thoughts (to get you thinking) include the following.
Do you have a generator? Then determine what you should keep for spares to keep it running. Oil, gas line hose (any of the hoses), extra spark plug, recoil starter rope/assy., spare parts kit for your model, etc.
Do you have a well pump? Consider purchasing a spare pump to have on hand.
Do you have a chain saw that you rely on for wood heat? Have a spare chain? Bar? Oil? How about a spare chain saw? Same thing for log-splitter.
Do you have spare parts for basic plumbing repairs in your house?
Do you have a camp stove? Are there spare parts that are applicable? What about a 2nd camp stove as backup?
Do you wear clothes? Do you have material and sewing supplies to mend them?
What about tools? Do you have hand tools at home in the event of no electricity?
Two is one and one is none.
I could go on, but the fact is that if you’re a prepper and are preparing for short or long term self-sufficiency, then you must include spare parts, materials and supplies to enable you to repair, build, and adapt whatever it is that you may need to do.
Ideally, you would keep on hand the spare parts that you need for existing systems, and the building materials, tools and supplies related to them.
Having a well stocked supply of general hardware can be very valuable. Being a do-it-yourself person will enable your ability to adapt what you have to possibly repair what you need to (up to a point).
Here’s the thing… even if you don’t know how to repair things, it could still be a life-saver if you have the spare parts on hand for someone else to do the work.
Do not neglect having spare parts on hand for any important piece of gear, tool or system that is integral to your self-sufficiency, survival, or well being. Look at what you have, and then determine if there are specific parts that you could have on hand for any of them.
Let’s hear from you –
What are some of the spares that you feel are important to have on hand?
by Ken Jorgustin – modernsurvivalblog.com
Other useful resources:
Pioneer Survival - Lessons We Should All Learn
Alive After The Fall (Advice onto handling crisis situations )
US Water Revolution (Have Plenty of Water when others don't have any!)
Blackout USA (EMP survival and preparedness guide)
Conquering the coming collapse (Financial advice and preparedness )
Backyard Liberty (Easy and cheap DIY Aquaponic system to grow your organic and living food bank)
Bullet Proof Home (A Prepper’s Guide in Safeguarding a Home )
- Arms, bulletproof home, Equipment, Food, guns, home, prepper, Safety, Security, Spare Parts, storage, survival, tools, water, weapons
Our furnace motor went out in May. We went without a/c for the summer, but I wouldn’t want to go without heat in the winter. I bought a new, surplus motor for $35, and will get the old one rebuilt for a spare.
The last time there was a major power outage in or city, there was a long line of people at the high school (which had power). I bought a spare furnace (a wood burning stove) for about $200.
The water main broke in front of our house twice in 5 weeks. Be sure you have enough garden hose to reach the nearest fire plug, and threaded adapters for the hydrant.
Spare bicycle inner tubes; and a good, full sized spare tire that holds air for your primary car.
Bulbs, batteries, and fuses of all kinds.
Spark plugs, especially for 2-cycle engines.
Oil (and air) filters.
The right diameter of braided (not twisted) rope for small engine pull starters.
Extra keys for all locks.
PS: The point about having spare parts on hand, even if you need someone else to do the repairs is a good one.
Spare toilet tank mechanism parts. My last water bill was _double_ because the ball wasn’t seating. Sometimes you cannot hear or see any signs of the leakage.
Also, faucet repair parts.