Playa Macgyver's topics - tribe.net

dust gear

2008-08-06T18:51:04Z

I am looking for items that are crucial to have before, durning and after dust storms. I've been twice to BM and both years were pretty mellow in comparison to some. Any ideas other than the obvious masks, goggles, ect...

*thanks*

posted in Playa Macgyver - 4 replies

Duct tape to the rescue!

2007-09-18T19:17:52Z

Here's a few of the ways we used duct last week:

1. Patch a hole in the shower hose
2. A no-sew border for a flag we made out of some fabric
3. Makeshift lid for hardware containers

posted in Playa Macgyver - 9 replies

shorten a skirt (or pants) with soap and paper

2007-08-27T03:51:46Z

(x-post. it seemed appropriate for here)
Just discovered this and thought I'd share for those who may find themselves in a bit of a playalicious playwear emergency requiring a bit of style MacGyver-ing. I'm admittedly particularly proud of this. ;)

So I'm at a friend's house helping her pack for the burn. She has 2 cu-ute dresses that she wants shortened because at knee length they're too "demure" and not enough fun and funky. The problem of course is not only that you know, it's totally last minute, but that she's in the process of moving... like, as we speak. Literally. We had just finished carrying 95% of her belongings in boxes in the new apartment. So no ruler, no tape measure, no pins, no cutting board, no rotary cutter, no chalk pencils, no pens and certainly no sewing machine. Fortunately she had some decent scissors (for paper cutting, but sharp).

HOW TO SHORTEN A SKIRT WITH A BAR OF SOAP AND A PIECE OF PAPER:

I found a small bar of soap in the bathroom and a random piece of paper on the floor. The edge of the soap marked cleanly on the back of the fabric to substitute as chalk. And it's soap, so it's not like it'll make the dress dirty or cause a stain. ;) It can be washed out later.

The paper served as a substitute ruler. She wanted 6 inches off the bottom. Folding an 8.5 x 11" piece of paper in half widthwise gives a measuring tool of 5.5". Eyeball another half an inch and refold, and there's the 6" length. (btw, double that and you have a foot long ruler if needed.)

I just laid the folded 6" long paper at the bottom of the hem and marked the top with the soap, making a line for the new hem all around the skirt. Then carefully cut along the soap line. It worked great. One skirt was vinyl so it didn't need to be stitched (she could fold it under and glue it if desired). The other could be staystiched on the ride up or when she returned, leaving the bottom edges with cool fraying like jeans.

I figure this kind of solution could easily be done on-playa if needed. :)

posted in Playa Macgyver - 1 reply

beer cozies mean no more soup burns

2007-07-27T15:14:15Z

I've become a fan of instant cup soups for camping. Everything from the evil/wonderful styrofoam Cup Noodles to the healthier, more exotic veggie variety. All that's needed is boiled water and no dishes to clean afterward except some chopsticks. (Some of those wax paper containers may be burnable, too, but I haven't tested this.) The problem is that those ultra hot cups can burn your hands, especially the flexible ones.

I recently solved the soup burn problem by cutting up one of those neoprene-type beer cozies. You know, those things you buy at the grocery store to hold beer or soda cans, usually with novelty sayings or bad art on them. ;) The can cozies are narrower and taller than the soup cups so some surgery is needed. I sliced down the side vertically, from top to bottom. Then I cut off the bottom inch or so (depending on the brand of instant soup). So you end up with a tube with a slice down the side that opens the ring into a C shape. Place the cut cozie around the hot soup cup and it not only protects your hands, but makes it easier to hold (no smooshing and flexing). It'll cost you maybe a dollar to do this.

The two key things: One, make sure the cozie is slightly shorter than the height of the soup cup or it'll make it unstable when placed on a table -- you don't want spills, that's defeating the purpose. Two, make sure to put the cozie slit/opening at the area of the cup that you will sip from -- you need some space to get your mouth in there or you'll dribble all over yourself.

Hope that helps someone out there.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 5 replies

zip ties make perfect bubble wands

2007-07-27T03:39:47Z

I discovered this at a burner event last weekend. I handed someone a new container of bubbles and they opened it to find there was no bubble wand inside. So I went to my handy Bag of Useful Things, got out some zip ties, put the end through the fastener to make a loop about 1" in diameter, and -presto- bubble wand. This is also great when you have several people sharing the same container. plus, the long handle keeps you from getting gooky.

what? you think bubble wands aren't an important playa macgyver discovery? you trying going a whole burn with your bubbles. yeah, you'll be sorry. ;)

posted in Playa Macgyver - 12 replies

Better cordless soldering iron?

2007-07-23T11:30:58Z

I went out and bought a $20 cordless "cold" soldering iron today from Radio Shack. I figured it would come in handy working on DDI with. Sadly I must say this thing sucks.

The tip has two contact points, when they hit a conductor they create a circuit and a ton of juice goes through it. This makes the conductor really hot really fast and thusly melts solder onto it. After atempting to use it for a good five minutes, I went and grabbed one of our temp controlled soldering irons.

if you're working with something small, like a 2mm end of a tiny copper wire, getting the two contact points on the tip of the cordless iron to touch is extremely annoying. And when you think you've got it and see small sparks appear, as soon as you bring some solder down, you lose the contact and it's cold again.

Anyone played with any cordless soldering irons that don't suck?

posted in Playa Macgyver - 4 replies

dry erase markers -- shazaam!

2007-07-17T03:57:11Z

I get very excited over small things. the latest is my discover of the multitude of uses of dry erase markers for the playa. :)

I spent last week helping out at the burner hostel. We had about 40 bikes to sort through and repair, not enough space to categorize them, and no simple way to tag them to indicate what needed to be done while working through the pile. So I started writing directly on the bikes with the only marker nearby: a dry erase marker. Worked awesomely! The marker wrote clearly to indicate the repair needed ("back brake jammed", "bad tube", "fix chain"). It made it much easier to quickly discern what work was needed at a glance. The marker wiped off completely after the repair was made! yay!

As long as you have a slick surface (metal, plastic, glass) the marker will write and wipe off. Which also led me to realize how helpful that could be for temporary and cheap signage on the playa. Just laminate a few pieces of blank paper. Then zip tie/staple the laminated page to a peg, rebar, or piece of wood -- voila! easy notation than can be placed, replaced, or moved around camp. Say you have a large theme camp and want to mark off the various areas during early set up so members know where to put what. Just put a stake down and indicate on the laminated page "kitchen" or "shade" or "dj" in the corresponding areas and you won't have to keep answering the same questions all day. Or you're out of ice or need to conserve water, just write on the cooler or shower area with the dry erase marker to let fellow campmates know. In theory, at least.

just some thoughts. :)

posted in Playa Macgyver - 0 replies

Plants for Burning Man Greywater use?

2007-06-03T04:39:45Z

So I am in charge of the greywater system for our Burning Man camp (Bicycle Refreshment Unit at 730 and bipolar) and I was wondering if any of you have any advice on which plants fair the best as a sump for greywater? Don't worry we are still going to have an evap station, but I was hoping to try to divert some of the greywater to a few plants. I was thinking about using a willow in a planter since I know they like a lot of water. Maybe even placing some of those synthetic water absorbing granules in the soil matrix.
Any other suggestions? Has anyone tried placing water hycinths (sp?) in the evap station to see if they survive/soak up the water? Oh yeah, if you have any recommendations on where to get such plants kind of cheap in the Portland area that would be cool too. Thanks. Capt Salamander.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 8 replies

uses for 2.5 Gallon water containers.

2007-06-03T04:22:53Z

Okay,

So I'm trying to think of a functional usage for the 2.5 gallon water containers once they are empty. Is there any useful purpose for them.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 12 replies

Steam powered playamobiles?

2007-04-09T04:33:02Z

--There are a couple, but not many. I'm thinking of building sumpin' from scratch, a la Junkyard Wars. Any pointers from vehicle builders appreciated!

posted in Playa Macgyver - 2 replies

Bondage belts as alternate carriers

2006-07-25T02:39:39Z

I plan on being bikini and camelpack bound mostly so can't imagine being weighted down with an additional bag or backpack, and i can't handle a waist pack....

so i went out to a goth store (much cheaper than the bondage stores i checked) and got a bondage o-ring belt & went to my local hardware store and picked out various locking clips. so far i have a belt with the following items clipped to it, easily accessible, easily removed:
flashlight, army knife, hand sanitizer, lighter on a clip and a little change purse to carry the smaller, non-clippable items, etc

posted in Playa Macgyver - 2 replies

Stacked Rainbarrel issues

2006-07-02T15:19:06Z

So I have installed two stacked rainbarrel systems and they are having some issues and I was wondering if anyone out there might have some suggestions/ideas. I have taken HDPE 55 gallon barrels with two bung fittings in them and laid them on their side and connected them together at the bungs (see picture on my profile). Two things have happened. First where the barrels are sitting on the metal pallet racking they are becoming seriously indented. I will have to create more of a saddle for the barrels next time. Any suggestions?
More importantly, I have found that after a while the barrels will become full, but no water will come out of the bottom valve when opened. I thought there was an issue of an air lock, so I put air vents on the system to let air out. This did not work. Any suggestions? Thanks for your time and help. Brad.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 3 replies

A Tropical Rain Forest Event

2006-03-13T02:12:57Z

Hello,

I’m letting all of the tribes know about a regional event coming up soon – Rebirth. Burning Man, but rather than radical desert survival – radical tropical rain forest survival. Details of the event can be found here:

http://www.kapilina.org/bigisland/rebirth2006.html

Hawaii… Fire spinning capital of the world… Big Island… Hot tub ponds heated by thermal vents… Black Sand Beaches… LAVA… REAL LAVA! And a Burning Man regional event.

I’ve tried to figure out how to reduce costs as much as possible for everyone coming over from the mainland (if you can think of anyother suggestions please post):

Rideshare thread from the airport to puna here:
http://kapilina.tribe.net/thread/5438fe28-b674-4c10-9bed-3334aae6f4e3

Cheap Airfare From Mainland:
vacations.travelzoo.com/hawaii.../229965

www.airtech.com/specials.html

Shipping Art/Supplies:
http://kapilina.tribe.net/thread/daca9206-f7a4-4c58-a763-49b96731a584

Again if you know cheaper means please repost. See you all there!

posted in Playa Macgyver - 0 replies

Meet macgyvra ...

2006-02-17T03:52:52Z

I just found this tribe and invited my friend Macgyvra to join .... I can attest to her amazing macgyver skills all over the place ...she rocks the Astral Vortex constantly with her amazing feats of magic using whatever is at hand .. she practically built the Mobile Groove Bomb (the big white kickass art bus) singlehandedly with a roll of duct tape and a few thousand zip ties .. at one point we were about to move out and I noticed her feet sticking out from under the bus ... I had to grab her feet and pull her out .... covered in grease and oil wearing only a hot pink mini skirt ...

posted in Playa Macgyver - 3 replies

uses for coconut oil

2005-10-22T18:05:00Z

I just picked up a huge jar from Rainbow grocery for 5 bucks. Im gonna melt it down and transfer it to a squeeze bottle. SO not only can you cook with it but smear it all over your skin post shower, leave it in your hair as a deep conditioner, use it as you would petroluem jelly when you start to crack anywhere, put it on hands and feet before bed and wrap in gloves and socks for extra nourshing treatment. Anyone have any other uses for this wonderful stuff?

posted in Playa Macgyver - 1 reply

PMs 101 "things2bring" 4 BM

2005-08-20T13:24:25Z

The Playa MacGyver's list of 101 "Things-2-Bring" to Burning Man. I brainstormed this list in one sitting, but every item on it has proved its value as something worthwhile to pack for our upcoming trip to the desert. I will elaborate further as we go. The essential quality of everything on this list is that it can be resourcefully used in some other way than commonly expected. This is the essence of what it means to be a true "Playa MacGyver."

I hope to craft this list into an essential document for all burners. This thread will allow me to edit it with others in our community as a feedback loop. If you have found a specific application for an item you wish to share, please use the item name and # in the post title. This information will help me rank them in future editions. Please feel free to add new items, numbered in sequence starting with #102.

101thngs2brng2BM first edition 8/8/05

1 rubber bands
2 twist ties
3 clothes pins
4 binder clips
5 paper bags
6 plastic bags
7 magnets
8 rope light
9 5 gallon water jugs
10 kiddy pool
11 orange cones & caution markers
12 garden hose
13 umbrella
14 The Club
15 newspaper
16 bagged fliers
17 extension cord
18 wheel block
19 futon frame
20 bricks
21 scuba booties
22 bathrobe
23 flags
24 milk crates
25 2x4s
26 plywood
27 ironing board
28 boxes
29 frisbee
30 crowbar
31 multi-tool
32 coat hangers
33 bungee cords
34 fan
35 drop light
36 cable ties
37 work table
38 plastic tarps
39 clothes line
40 Romex
41 water dispenser
42 neck lanyards
43 city map
44 megaphone
45 walkie-talkies
46 shopping cart
47 tape
48 glue
49 mirror
50 binoculars
51 jumper cables
52 funnel
53 maps
54 sharpie
55 coolers
56 paper plates
57 towel tubes
58 plastic wrap
59 sand bags
60 tennis balls
61 barbell weights
62 magnifying glass
63 envelopes
64 address book
65 power strips
66 christmas lights
67 work light
68 metal garbage can
69 plastic garbage can
70 key rings
71 folding tables & chairs.
72 flag stakes
73 flashing light
74 flashlight lights
75 c-clamps
76 tool box
77 tool belt
78 gloves
79 florescent string
80 black wrap
81 9-volt batteries
82 old socks
83 barbeque grill
84 candles
85 saw horses
86 ladders
87 stakes
88 tins
89 boom box
90 camera
91 bubble wrap
92 belts
93 broom & dustpan
94 light and speaker stands
95 detergent jug
96 plastic ale yard
97 screen
98 heater
99 tires
100 posters
101 matresses & cushions

posted in Playa Macgyver - 9 replies

PLaya fire Making.

2005-08-20T04:06:09Z

My all time favorite camp item is a trigger start, self igniting, torch. MAPP gas is better because U can braze with it. This is the fastest, ez est, safest way to light a camp stove, lantern, pilot light, propane heated playa shower...
So ez U can do it drunk. Field tested this myself.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 1 reply

MAAP is the new MOOP

2005-08-17T02:41:10Z

The true Playa MacGyver has a very high standard identifying "matter out of place." One man's trash is another man's treasure. Therefore, I would like to coin a new acronymic expression within the Burning Man community: MAAP, or "matter available for another purpose."
This thread will show how "recycle" is the third option of the "three Rs," the first two being "reuse and renew." We can also argue whether "MAAP" or "MAFAP" is a better cool new burner word, but whichever one people start using, the Admiral takes credit for originating it 5/26/05 (and I've lived by it way before now too).

posted in Playa Macgyver - 3 replies

Miss Playa MacGyver

2005-08-17T02:36:14Z

Ladies~ these men come up with some amazing gadgets and gizmos 2 keep our camps sound through the burn. Now let’s C what kind of MacGyver genius we have where it counts ~ in our costume closets! What R your playa FASHION EMERGENCY secrets?!

Here is one from our camp~
We’ve got some sort of air pump that I believe is used 2 blow up pool toys. Well the mother plugs into a car lighter… INSTANT HAIR DRYER! Purrrfect for those of us with short hair who want 2 give it some bounce and body.
RED

posted in Playa Macgyver - 2 replies

Flare nut wrenches

2005-08-11T18:34:10Z

If you're a mech head like me, you'll find a set of double ended flare nut wrenches can replace multiple open end wrenches. A few years back, I drove a 16 ton truck of gear out to BM and my camp mates where driving a van with most of my stuff in it. The Van broke down and I was on the playa with the very minimum. 6 pack, 1 ice chest, sleeping bag, clothes on my back, a jacket, my bike, and a small tool box. I repaired geny's, plumbing, built a guy's dome structure, repaired a broken brake line... for food, booze, n shelter. Buy the time that my camp mates arrived, I didn't need them anymore.
never did set up my tent.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 0 replies

Cargo vehicle technique

2005-08-08T15:50:25Z

Playa MacGyver techniques for your preparing your truck or van for the playa. Capital letters indicate a photo reference in the gallery.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 6 replies

Playa Macgyver camp placement

2005-08-07T21:20:51Z

Playa MacGyver 2:00 and Ego 50 x 50

posted in Playa Macgyver - 5 replies

Butt Buddies

2005-08-07T17:59:27Z

Are Altoid tins the answer to practical playa cigarette butt disposal? They would be if you could buy Altoids in Black Rock City! This thread will discuss how the users of tobacco products can efficiently adhere to the "leave no trace" philosophy of the Burning Man community by adapting the practices of the practiced Playa MacGyver.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 1 reply

NASA

2005-08-04T06:10:29Z

SPACE CENTER, Houston - Employing the kind of
NASA ingenuity seen during Apollo 13, an astronaut prepped for an emergency repair job Wednesday on Discovery's exterior with forceps, scissors and a hacksaw fashioned out of a blade and a little duct tape.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 1 reply

And ....

2005-07-13T17:39:51Z

.... do tell where Kamp Playa MacGuyver will be placed .....

posted in Playa Macgyver - 8 replies

duct tape fashion

2005-06-27T21:48:16Z

No, it's not just to save the day...it's also for fashion!

http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/fashion/index.html

posted in Playa Macgyver - 0 replies

Duct Tape = "Playa Chrome"

2005-06-18T03:11:27Z

I recycled this joke from home back east where we call duct tape "Vermont Chrome." Yet on the playa, duct tape can be chrome, silver, gold, and more. Share your personal Playa MacGyver duct tape miracles and ingeniously envisioned applications

posted in Playa Macgyver - 10 replies

Playa MacGyver camp '05?

2005-06-17T05:43:19Z

For my 2005 Burning Man experience, I have decided to trade a prolonged period of over planning for immeadiate instances of improvisation by leaving my high-toil Starlite Drive-in set-up at home and starting a laidback Playa MacGyver camp instead. Right now its just me and Heidi. Anbody else interested or have ideas?

posted in Playa Macgyver - 1 reply

Tool of choice?

2005-06-05T18:01:26Z

To be prepaired Macgyver-style, one must carry a Swiss Army Knife or multitool. Personally, I carry a Victorinox Ranger in my pocket. I also carry a Leatherman P4. What do you carry?

todd

posted in Playa Macgyver - 8 replies

Tarp managment

2005-06-04T14:41:54Z

It's no secret that plastic tarps with metal grommets are useful things on the playa. This thread will explore why tarps are essential components of a prepared Playa MacGyver's BOT (bag of tricks), the many functions tarps serve; tools and techniques to deploy tarps; and clever alternate uses for tarps of all types.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 8 replies

Be prepared!

2005-05-29T19:54:50Z

Remember the Boy Scout's motto, a key component of the BSQ philosophy. This thread explores things you can do ahead of time to prepare yourself should worst case scenarios strike.

posted in Playa Macgyver - 2 replies

Dude, where's my lighter?

2005-05-29T19:15:58Z

How much time have you lost looking for a lighter? How many lighters have you lost when not looking? Looking for how to never lose lighters? Let me show you the light:

posted in Playa Macgyver - 4 replies

Playa Macgyver's topics - tribe.net

dust gear

Duct tape to the rescue!

shorten a skirt (or pants) with soap and paper

beer cozies mean no more soup burns

zip ties make perfect bubble wands

Better cordless soldering iron?

dry erase markers -- shazaam!

Plants for Burning Man Greywater use?

uses for 2.5 Gallon water containers.

Steam powered playamobiles?

Bondage belts as alternate carriers

Stacked Rainbarrel issues

A Tropical Rain Forest Event

Meet macgyvra ...

uses for coconut oil

PMs 101 "things2bring" 4 BM

PLaya fire Making.

MAAP is the new MOOP

*Miss* Playa MacGyver

Flare nut wrenches

Cargo vehicle technique

Playa Macgyver camp placement

Butt Buddies

NASA

And ....

duct tape fashion

Duct Tape = "Playa Chrome"

Playa MacGyver camp '05?

Tool of choice?

Tarp managment

Be prepared!

Dude, where's my lighter?

Miss Playa MacGyver