My PSK (lots of pics)

N

nick-nack

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Dec 14, 2006
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Well this is my PSK that i put together during a free night. I know it is not quite perfect but the container im using isnt the regular altoids can but an eclipse can which is smaller. I don;t see many altoids in Aus but plenty of the eclipse tins. Things I will be adding are a small led light, compass and some water purification stuff.
Of everything-
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Fishing gear, hook with built in seeker with large hole. The rubber fish is called a squidgie (its tail will dart around when pulled through water or by current imitating a fish)-
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Sewing Kit, Length of thread wrapped around paper with the large threading hole needles wedged in -
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Fire Starting gear matches, lifeboat matches and a bic with some dry cotton balls (i can't find a way to soak PJ and to keep it clean in the case)-
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Glow in the dark classic and a whistle-
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Some paper, pencil and some twist ties -
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Outside of case - about 60cm of wire, about 2.5m worth of nylon string, underneath the string is some duct tape about 70cm worth of tape -
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I glued on a cut to size match striker onto the bottom of the lid -
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Size reference of interior with a mini bic -
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Not bad for its size. Your not going to be able to fit everything into a kit that small, but you have some nice survival items if you need them.
 
You have a lot tucked into a small space. One thing I'd suggest is get some heavy duty foil, about 2 ft of it and fold it up for your kit. Lots of great uses like boiling water.
 
Fairly good kit. It would be easy enough to slip a couple of the micropur MP-1 water purification tabs, or similar, but I wouldn't try it with iodine. For emergency water carry, maybe attach a liter or gallon sized ziploc or equivalent, to the outside with a couple of ranger bands or large rubber bands. Would also give you a couple of extra firestarters.
 
Nice little kit....you say it's not perfect but no kit ever is as they are individual so no one kit will be right for everyone !!!

Try putting the cotton balls in a little sandwich bag with some PJ in and mix it in the bag and keep them in it as well !!!
 
You might also consider adding a ziplock baggy or Gerber mailbag to it. Nice and small, but hold watch nicely.
 
Nice small kit. Lots of dual use items.

I liked that you glued a striker to the inside of the lid. Good thinking. Also tinder quick tabs are less messy than great balls of fire (cotton+pj) and are supposedly waterproof.

A pair of needle nose pliers will easily remove the child protective interference from the butane lighter, if you are of a mind to do so. I've done it several times, and I think it's a good thing to do.
 
Can I also suggest you swap the Bic for a clear version so you can keep an eye on how much fuel you have left !!!
 
One way to do the PJ soaked cotton balls is to close them up in a small duct tape pouch individually. Then you just have to cut a slit in the duct tape and pull out the fibers. The tape burns reall well too. Worked well for me.

Charles
 
There is one thing I don't like. Your non-lifeboat matches aren't waterproofed. Waxing is OK, but I've found it seems to reduce the storage life, I tried it a few times with strike anywheres and they were dead and crumbly after about two years while other matches of the same brand and lot, stocked at the same time and weren't waxed were OK.

Try lacquer or shellac, and hand dip them. They'll be at least as waterproof as waxed, they don't take up as much space, and they will burn hotter.

Other things I saw that are just personal preference:

Don't sharpen the pencil. Won't get graphite all over the contents as it moves, and the shavings from sharpening it make great tinder.

Rather than the twist ties, maybe tiny zipties? They don't rust, and they are stronger.

As for how to back cotton balls with petroleum jelly, there are a couple of ways. One is to take a drinking straw and a pair of very fine pliers or hemostats. Heat the tips of the pliers, and use them to crimp the end of the drinking straw. Cut a piece off, say 15-20mm long. Using a toothpick, pack as much of a pj ball in as you can. You won't get it all in a tube that short, but you only need a little to catch a spark. Leave space to crimp the open end. If you want more pj ball, use a longer tube. No mess in your kit.

How water tight is your kit? Getting water in there can kill even life boat matches if it stays long enough, and it will disable your bic if doesn't rust it solid and rot the ferro rod in the sparking system.
 
I like this kit alot, Nice Size, I have a couple of these tins, I may have to make a kit.

For the Pj balls you may try using stuffing them in straws, as has been mentioned here before,

I would look in the hunting department for the reflective twist ties, these are great as they can be a trail marker or part of a visual signal
 
Must of forgot to include the second half...
First layer in -
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With squidgie-
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And cotton balls -
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All packed up (elastic bands are good second stage tinder and good for quick fixes. They also deter me to "borrow" from the kit) -
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Top view-
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For any aussies looking for this eclipse tin -
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If i have time to make another i want to polish the base of the lid so it acts as a signal mirror, then stick on a removable striker pad off a match case and trim it to size.
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Hope you liked the pics. Any feedback welcome. I want a good way to compactly carry the cotton ball with PJ without it making a mess.
 
would advise you to watch that squidgie, some would melt or dissolve certain plastics or turn into a rubbery mess. at least keep it in a wrapper. also why not a few normal hooks too.

Its amazing how much you can fit into that small case. thanks for sharing :thumbup:
 
You can wrap the cotton balls/pj in plastic wrap and use a peice of wire or string to tie off the end, then trim any excess plastic away. It should keep everything clean and add extra water protection. If you start getting desperate for space, you can shave down the pencil a bit too.
 
Yamato - Yeh the first attempt the squidgie was in contact with the match striker -it completely dissolved the top half. Now it sits underneath the cotton balls where is is safer.
I wrapped the cotton balls and pj with cling wrap. and they seem to be okay.
At first i tried foil but that eventually ripped so i tried duct tape but then some of the pj began to leak out. Cling wraps seems to work best.
Ive also added a large zip lock bag around it.
 
i shud really make me one too, then i also got a kit when i'm not carrying my buck 128 replica with hollow handle n kit inside
 
If the squidgie is next to pj balls in cling wrap, you might want to check it in a day or two. I've observed soft baits don't always like being next to a petrochem, and usually pick up the scent of them.

The more I've been thinking about your kit, the more I'd say replace the squidgie with some aluminum foil and a couple of sequins. Don't life, fish around here are dumb and bite on shiny. Can't comment on yours, maybe being evolutionarily isolated they are smarter. :)
 
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