Adaptive Re-use

[skymetalsmith]

This is a Buckeye Steel Railroad Rail Anvil and a simple rivet hammer I am putting together out of a half burnt broom handle and a chisel.

Horseman thanks for posting that railroad spike knife.  I haven't been able to locate mine yet.

[skymetalsmith]

When all the banks close and there is no more plastic :'(

we can just make guitar picks out of all debit and credit cards.

[lasalleca]

I built a small "one sheet" boat out of marine plywood.  I had to laminate the gunnel of the boat with successive layers of banding to give it strength to sustain occupancy.  I started out using all of the spring clamps and mechanical clamps I had but I was still about 100 clamps short. 

My solution?  I cut a piece of old three inch diamter pvc pipe into 3/4" wide slices and then split the each section crossways which allow me to spring them apart thus forming a very strong "C" clamp.  They work great, don't mar the wood and I had the material on hand.

[lasalleca]

I think someone had this idea earlier in the thread but if a moderator could break up this thread in sections depending on the items to be re-adapted it would make great reference material.  They could be broken up into:

Material type                         Uses                             Possible places or sources  to scrounge from

Car Springs                           knives, etc                     Old cars, trailers etc

Credit cards                          Guitar Picks                    Your wallet

Tin Cans                               Hobo stoves, etc.           Recycle bin, dumps



Well you get the idea.

[skymetalsmith]

James Howard Kunstler in the Kunstlercast #68 talks about Adaptive Reuse in relation to old building facades.  Check it out.
http://www.kunstlercast.com/

It is towards the end of this pod cast that he starts talking about Adaptive reuse...but so worthy!

[wisconsin doomslut]

I purchased an 1886 brick bldg that is over an acre under roof -
three floors and a full bsmt. -
it was built as a grand hotel but has fallen to disrepair
and has been a flop house for years
and all of the commercial level has been boarded up for decades.
It is located on the main street of a county seat in the midwest
population 4500...this is the town and this is the bldg
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/2008-08-01/Great-Places-Viroqua-Wisconsin.aspx
In two and a half years I have cleaned up the upper floors and currently
rent all of the 30+ furnished rooms with private baths to fixed income folks
and provide a shared kitchen - all for 250 and up per month...
on the street level I have opened the commercial spaces as business incubators
and have all 6 spaces rented.  I am also in the process of refurbishing the old hotel kitchen
into a certified community kitchen - will be open before falls harvest.
The businesses in the incubator spaces include a fair trade store, a live cabaret space,
a hunting and fishing equipment shop and a store that markets all local products
produced by local folks......
have just hired a grant writer to find some adaptive reuse $$$$ so I can do more.....
if you google images - fortney hotel - you'll see some historical pics and the current condition.....
It is a beast - I love it!!!!!

[skymetalsmith]

Damaged futon board makes great clay tools


I have been saving these split and damaged boards for 5 years.  I have Oak, Maple, Ash, and some wood that I haven't been able to identify.  My partner brings them home from work and I saw off the bad ends and use the damaged piecs for kindling.