Bi-Monthly Almanac: Improvised Tools (and a Toy)

1 / 8
The first of our improvised tools: by attaching a peg to one end and a wood screw to the other, you can turn an old knife into a spiral slicer of fruits and vegetables.
The first of our improvised tools: by attaching a peg to one end and a wood screw to the other, you can turn an old knife into a spiral slicer of fruits and vegetables.
2 / 8
Bend a small piece of wire into a water drop-sized loop, as a drop of water, and you've got a water magnifying glass.
Bend a small piece of wire into a water drop-sized loop, as a drop of water, and you've got a water magnifying glass.
3 / 8
Pieces of wire and a metal can will become an egg strainer with the right modifications.
Pieces of wire and a metal can will become an egg strainer with the right modifications.
4 / 8
The lone toy in the group, the weight suspended inside this can will cause the can to return to its starting position when you roll it forward or back.
The lone toy in the group, the weight suspended inside this can will cause the can to return to its starting position when you roll it forward or back.
5 / 8
You can splice together a broken leather strap with an old brass buckle, two nails, and strategically placed holes.
You can splice together a broken leather strap with an old brass buckle, two nails, and strategically placed holes.
6 / 8
Two empty shotgun shells can be easily converted into one shotgun shell box.
Two empty shotgun shells can be easily converted into one shotgun shell box.
7 / 8
Carve a notch in the heel of a pocket knife blade to turn it into a pocket knife bottle opener.
Carve a notch in the heel of a pocket knife blade to turn it into a pocket knife bottle opener.
8 / 8
An old bed spring will prevent chickens from roosting on top of fence posts.
An old bed spring will prevent chickens from roosting on top of fence posts.

If you have a lot of odd little jobs to do and no proper tool to help you do them, it’s time for a creative approach to problem solving. Have a look at this selection of improvised tools (oh, and one toy); something here might be exactly what you need. After you’re done, kick back with our March/April 1979 Almanac for a chronology of historically significant events.

A Spiral Slicer

An old, sharp knife blade can— with the addition of a soldered-on handle at one end and a similarly fastened wood screw at the other—be used as a slicer for firm fruits and vegetables. The screw “feeds” into the potato, apple, etc. while the blade slices an even, spiraled curl.

A Water Magnifying Glass 

A crude, but serviceable, magnifying glass can be made by bending a small piece of wire (or even the stem of a leaf!) to form a “water-drop-sized” loop. When this is done, drip a little clear water into the hoop. You’ll be able to examine the eye of a grasshopper or—on a very sunny day—perhaps you can even focus enough heat to start a fire!

  • Published on Mar 1, 1979
Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368