got a $50 Sears gift card for the BOB

[Manedwolf]

As the title indicates I received a $50 gift certificate. Anyone know of any good car BOB items for around this price at Sears? The closest one is over an hour away and a search of their website was not impressive. The only things that seemed like I could use was an axe and/or sleeping bag. Any good possible gun items? Knives or possible defensive items?

Personally, I'm not fond of Sears and according to their website: "Gift card(s) are neither refundable nor returnable." Can one say; use a $50 card to buy a $1 item, receive $49 in cash, and then return the item for the $1 refund?. I'd rather buy my supplies from a local, independant store for less.

About the only thing I think Sears is good for anymore is Craftsman tools. Their wrench sets are still good, and they still give a lifetime warranty on them.

 

[Manedwolf]

How do you use a stove for heat without killing self? I know people who have gotten very sick in campers in very cold winter, trying to use stoves for heat. And there are regular news stories of people dieing in the same suffocating manner. And then the issue of falling asleep with a flame burning, rather un-nerving.

I too have a Sears gift certificate, though!

I'd say skip the water filter, no need, when bleach works as well. I bought a $90 filter, then read the free pamphlet I picked up at the same time. The filter came with a little bottle of stuff you add to the water anyway, so I though, "Why bother with the filter and the bottle, when I can make my own little bottle of chlorine bleach?" I put the bottle in the freezer, almost full, and it freezes without rupturing, and it thaws fine too!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/54919391/Water Filter/Water1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/54919391/Water Filter/Water2.jpg

I just plan to buy underwear and socks, lol. Maybe a pouch for a camelback drink bag.

There are new catalytic heaters on the market that, I believe, use the propane from the attached tank in a run over a catalyst bed, generating heat without excessive carbon monoxide...they say they're safe for indoor use.

The Coleman Black Cat, I've heard, makes a mess and isn't that efficient, but the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, about $79, is supposedly very good. Uses either standard propane bottles for lanterns and stoves, or can be connected to an (outside) grill tank with an adaptor. I like that feature, since if there's a SHTF situation in a dangerously cold climate, there's always lots of grill propane tanks around.

As another "don't burn your house down" idea for those, especially if you have kids or pets, a cheap metal-bottom collapsable pet cage is a good thing. You can put that on the floor and put the heater in that, thus keeping your pets or kids from knocking it over or burning themselves while it's in use.

 

[mole]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I tried to reply a few days ago, but sometimes I lose THR for some reason. I lost it earlier today, but it's back now of course.

I went to the closest one and found absolutely nothing. The majority of the items where clothes, and very few men's clothes at that. No coats, no sleeping bags, no filters, and three crapy tents. A small seletion of hand and power tools were available. I already have a set of Craftsman's tools, but I agree that would be the wisest choice.

I've got to go towards another store in a few days that will hopefully be better. Here's my decision. I'll get an axe and a 1/2 socket handle thing. (The correct name escapes me at the moment. I mean one of those long handles about 2 feet long with an end that can swing from side to side and accepts a 1/2 socket.)

The axe has better defensive properties than a saw. Yeah, it's slow, but it will do more damage than swinging a saw. bogie, I don't see how an axe is high maintance. You sharpen it, oil it up, and tape a cut rubber hose over the blade, and you're done. I live in the sticks and have had to remove fallen trees from the road in order to pass, so I am not an unknowing urbanite. A chainsaw is faster, but requires maintance, gas, and oil and takes up more space in the trunk. It also can stink up the trunk.

The socket handle will go under the driver's seat. It would serve as a innocent looking club. If I happen to have to walk through an area where trouble may lurk, I will carry it in my left hand. After reading threads here and thinking about the time it takes for an attacker to close on you while you try to draw your firearm, I believe that having a club like weapon would prove an advantage. While reaching for the firearm with your right hand, you can swing the club with the left hand and hopefully divert their lunge/charge while you draw your firearm. It might do enough damage to give you an advantage if a physical scruffle occurs. At the least I can buy a socket that fits my lugnuts and use it to change my tires.

I have a Mr. Heater Portable Buddy and it works great. It is extremely simple and easy to use. I tried its tip over shut off feature several times and it doesn't take much to make it kick off. It does give off a lot of heat, so don't put anything close to it.

thanks,
mole

 

[el44vaquero]

I actually work for Sears. They had me working in the electronics department during the Christmas season. We only give the remaining amount on a giftcard if it's under a set dollar amount. As far as the Craftsman Warranty goes I wouldn't count on it. After K-Mart bought Sears, they are looking at doing away with the Craftsman Warranty. We have had several meetings over this. They say it's not "cost effective" to honor this warranty. Sears was the store of my grandfather and father. It's sad to see it in the shape it is.