Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books, and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how-to” self-sufficiency videos. There is also an emphasis on links to sources for storage food and a variety of storage and caching containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This week the focus is on cordless tools and chargers. (See the Gear & Grub section.)
Books:
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First Freedom: A Ride Through America’s Enduring History with the Gun [2]
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This later book in the James Herriott All Creatures Great and Small book series is one that you might not have read: Every Living Thing [4]
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Nat Gd: Rocks and Minerals: The World in Your Hands (DK Nature Guide) [5]
Blogs:
Nails & Sawdust [6]
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Off Grid World [7]
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Instructional Videos & Vlogs:
Warrior Poet: IWI Tavor x95 Review [9]
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Readers Tim J. and Beckie both recommended this video: ORGANIZING THE WORKSHOP At Our Off Grid Homestead .HOW TO ORGANIZE Fasteners, Crafts and Hobbies [11]
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Taylor’s & Co Cartridge Conversion Cylinders [12]
Music:
Billy Strings – Watch It Fall – FRRC Performance [13]
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Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra & Darling West – Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac Cover) | Live @ Krøsset [14]
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The Petersens – Live at the Rodeo Opry [15]
Gear & Grub:
Do you live at the edge of cellular coverage? I’m told that these work wonders: 5 Band Cell Phone Signal Booster for Home and Office – Work on All U.S. Carriers Verizon AT&T T-Mobile Sprint – Cellular Repeater Amplifier Kit for Voice Call and Data Network [16].
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Rob wrote me to remind folks: If you have any cordless power tools, then it important that you get a second battery charger, so that you can charge from your vehicles or from your off-grid DC power system: a DC-to-DC charger. Here is an example, for DeWalt 20-volt tools [17].
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And if you’ve not yet settled on a type of cordless tool, then the DeWalt 20 Volt models [18] are a good choice. Oh, and generally, opt for “brushless” motor tools whenever you can, since you’ll get both more work out of each charged battery, and a longer service life for the tool.
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Some of the best meat for backpacking or for your G.O.O.D. bag: Meat Shredz – Premium Dried Pulled Pork (Variety, 4 Pack) | No Preservatives | High Protein & Low Sugar | Bacon Bits | Dehydrated Backpacking & Camping Food | Shredded, Dried Jerky Chew Snack [19]
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Lastly, don’t forget to stock up for Fido: Kibbles ‘n Bits Original Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Dry Dog Food [20]
Featured Antique Gun of the Week
Our featured antique gun of the week is a rare S&W New Model 3 SA chambered in .44-40 [21]. Thankfully, .44-40 ammo is made by more than 20 ammo companies and it is still available at many gun shops. (But just try to find 9mm or .45 ACP!) Like most other pre-1899 guns, it can be mailed or shipped directly to your doorstep without any paperwork or FFL dealer involvement. (Be sure to check your state and local laws before ordering.) Take a look at the many recently-added guns at the Elk Creek Company [22]store.
Make a Suggestion
Want to suggest Recommendations of your own? Then please send them to JWR [23]. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact [24] form.) Thanks!
Comments Disabled To "JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:"
#1 Comment By K in Tenn On November 4, 2020 @ 12:05 pm
We purchased a whole house booster system from WeBoost. Mixed reviews. Honestly I can’t tell if the device is plugged in or not, heavy restrictions on how you install it (distance, cabling)…. its subdued some of the complaining from the younger members of the house – at least I got credit for dropping 600 bucks and ‘trying’.
#2 Comment By BaldMountainBeeman On November 4, 2020 @ 5:02 pm
I had the same experience with weeboost, K. I tried it at two different locations with negligible results and would not recommend it to others
#3 Comment By Pete the Pickled Prepper On November 5, 2020 @ 5:01 am
Thank you both for commenting as I was wondering how well they worked and across what range.
We are using WiFi calling and it works pretty well, but only inside the house or in its very immediate vacinity. I’ve considered mounting the router higher and seeing if that makes a difference.
#4 Comment By Rucksack Rob On November 4, 2020 @ 3:13 pm
RE: cordless tools
One piece of advice, if you live in the northern climes, it’s best NOT to leave your rechargeable batteries out in a unheated shop / garage, even if Lithium, they seem to loose capacity much more quickly, including a shortened lifespan.
After 17+ years of living in the Northern Great Lakes, I finally learned my lesson the hard way (by having to replace a lot of batteries…) and I set up a wintertime battery charging station in the corner of the (constant temperature) basement. (if you’re south of the Mason-Dixon Line, you’re probably ok.)
One other thing regarding batteries, DeWalt does have a 3 year , no questions asked warranty. I called the warranty center 800 number, he asked for the date on the battery and 1 week later I had full replacements. (I DO NOT work for DeWalt and receive no compensation for that 2-bit endorsement.)
Maybe the others brands have a similar warranty IDK, but THANK YOU DeWalt!
#5 Comment By Once a Marine… On November 6, 2020 @ 3:56 am
I have an older Makita, 9.6v 1.3 Ah Ni Cd battery that no longer aaccepts a charge.
I have been told there is a way to dismantle it and replace the guts, say from Batteries Plus.
Any comments?
At least it is made in Japan, not China.
Carry on
#6 Comment By Rucksack Rob On November 6, 2020 @ 12:21 pm
I started out with the 9.6v Makita 35+ years ago and it worked very well for several years under very demanding construction jobs. (primarily, it’s benifit over other brands was the steel gears vs. plastic gears)
They still make (replacement) batteries for those at a very reasonable price. I can’t vouch for the quality of these (not Makita brand), but I chose these only because of their 4.0amp hr. over the 3.6 of the others.. Here’s a 2-pk linked through JWR’s Amazon affiliate…you compare and choose
[25];
sprefix=makita+9.6v+battery%2Cstripbooks%2C167&sr=1-9
Also, there are many videos and several DIY books on rebuilding cordless tool batteries (just do a search at YouTube for Makita 9.6 battery rebuild). If you can solder you can probably rebuild a battery, but after seeing the prices for the above 2-pk, I’d just buy 2 of the 2-pks and be done with it. (but rebuilding one or two might be a fun project though…)
#7 Comment By Texas Tea On November 4, 2020 @ 6:12 pm
I have the WeBoost RV 65. It has a 25 ft telescoping directional antenna. My camp spot in Wyoming has always been about a 20 minute ATV ride to get one bar. The WeBoost was able to get me 3 bars at camp this year. Unplugged, back to zero bars.
#8 Comment By Michael Silvius On November 4, 2020 @ 9:35 pm
Thanks for the mention, glad you liked it enough to recommend to your readers.
Michael at Nails and Sawdust