The (stereo)-typical prepper focus often gravitates toward stockpiling consumables. All types of consumables: food, water, medicine, and essential supplies. Mostly, vital items for immediate or medium-term survival, of course. We would be crazy not to do it this way, though!
But those of us who’ve been through a couple of tight spots know it´s not enough.
My experiences over these last 7 years have taught me that true resilience lies in the ability to maintain and repair the tools and infrastructure that sustain our production activities over a long-term scheme.
This shift in focus, from simply acquiring supplies and parts to mastering the skills to repair and maintain them, is what we term “Prepping to Repair.”
Here’s why
Imagine a scenario where access to readily available parts and expert services is severely limited or non-existent and for an undetermined period. Broken tractors and harvesters crippling farms, a malfunctioning generator can leave a community in darkness, and damaged vehicles all over waiting for parts. Sure, there is a whole bunch of countries that could supply them. But how much time before the supply lines can be re-routed from different manufacturers?
In Venezuela, we are trying very slowly to rebuild what once was our infrastructure. However, the foreign competition and the systematic dismantling the lefties executed, added to the crippling taxes of a State starving and hungry for foreign currency, it won´t be possible without major investments and legal reforms including dismantling the mafia structure in the customs, totally controlled by greenies. Then, lacking spare parts can (once again like in the lapse 2015-2021) leave us stranded.
All this explanation is intended for you to understand how complicated things can get in a real crisis. People used to go to a shop and pick the part of the brand they want, are going to face a rude awakening.
In such a situation, what we are going to need the most are things like the ability to diagnose problems, source alternative materials (which is challenging itself and demands lots of online time!), and the use of ingenious repair techniques becomes paramount. Invest in a couple of hard drives and save all the videos you can find on how to repair your equipment. Build a good folder structure so you can find them easily. It´s much better to dedicate some time to this than some other empty entertainment activity. I take great pleasure on working on my preps while listening to music, rather than going outside sometimes.
Key Areas
- Automotive
- Vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles. Unless you have someone to assist with the maintenance or repair, at least could learn on how to work on some basic stuff.
- Skills: Basic engine mechanics, electrical systems, tire repair, welding, fabrication, and the ability to adapt and improvise using salvaged parts. If you can use a screwdriver, there is a ton of disassembling and cleaning you can do on your own, solving a bunch of common problems. Research first, of course, but keeping equipment clean saves troubles in the future.
- Tools: Comprehensive toolkits (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers), voltmeters, multimeters, welding equipment, and a good set of repair manuals. This is VERY important. A good mechanic will attack the problem by opening the manual and using a scanner to diagnose with the suited equipment instead of randomly disassembling parts. Even old pros learn to use manuals and modern tools at their mature age. I have trouble finding mechanics that even have a set of torque wrenches. (We will talk about them in the next article with much more detail, as they are very necessary in any decent workshop)
- Fuel Systems: Knowledge of alternative fuels (biodiesel, ethanol), fuel storage and maintenance, and the ability to repair fuel lines, tuning up carburetors, understanding how the fuel injection works, and basic diagnostics. It´s not difficult, and there are courses you can follow.
- Vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles. Unless you have someone to assist with the maintenance or repair, at least could learn on how to work on some basic stuff.
- Machinery
- The machines in the workshops, studios, ateliers, cobbler shops, and similar facilities. Leather/fabric sewing machines, looms, etc.
- Tractors, Combines, Balers
This is where all the food production-related equipment is included. Meat saws, or whatever is in the chain.
- Skills: Hydraulics, engine repair, electrical systems, welding, and the ability to fabricate replacement parts using salvaged metal.
- Tools: Specialized tools for farm equipment, hydraulic jacks, and access to welding equipment.
- Power Generation
- Generators (gas, diesel, solar): electricity in off-grid facilities and homesteads.
- Skills: Engine repair, electrical troubleshooting, battery maintenance/building, solar panel repairs, and the ability to construct simple wind or water-powered generators.
- Tools: Voltmeters, multimeters, soldering irons, a basic understanding of electrical wiring, measuring calipers, micrometers, and if some mechanical works need precision, dial indicators for runout.
- Generators (gas, diesel, solar): electricity in off-grid facilities and homesteads.
A common skill that works for everything that needs a battery is being proficient in electrical systems. If you can (and have the cheap tools) to diagnose a starter battery and know how it works, you could even get some more juice out of it.
- Infrastructure
- Buildings: Houses, barns, outbuildings. In this regard, that´s why I like simple constructions that don´t need a lot of specialization. I can make a stone wall by basically mixing very fluid cement, setting up two plywood sheets vertically, and throwing stones inside. So, I don´t need too many skills to build an entire permanent house. The rest is common sense, like plumbing, which is not hard either. There are many videos out there these days.
- Drainage and sewage
- Buildings: Houses, barns, outbuildings. In this regard, that´s why I like simple constructions that don´t need a lot of specialization. I can make a stone wall by basically mixing very fluid cement, setting up two plywood sheets vertically, and throwing stones inside. So, I don´t need too many skills to build an entire permanent house. The rest is common sense, like plumbing, which is not hard either. There are many videos out there these days.
I have seen many people paying good money for something they could have done with a shovel, a wheelbarrow, and some free time. With a little bit of practice, the drainage of water collectors is easy to install. With the crisis, I know many of my colleagues have done a lot of things by themselves, including basic masonry.
- Skills: Basic carpentry, masonry, roofing, plumbing, and electrical wiring.
- Tools: Hand saws, hammers, drills, screwdrivers, leveling rulers, and a variety of construction materials (wood, metal, concrete).
- Water Systems: Wells, pumps, rainwater collection/filtration and purification, and irrigation systems.
- Skills: Water well maintenance, pump repair, plumbing, and the ability to construct and maintain simple water filtration systems.
- Tools: Pipe wrenches, plumbing tools, and the necessary materials for repairs.
- Communication
- Radio Equipment: Ham radios, shortwave radios, and whatever other means of long-distance communication. Gaining proficiency in handling these devices is something that every single member of a group in a homestead should do. If they´re not operated or connected properly, can be damaged.
- Skills: Radio operation, antenna construction and maintenance, and basic electronics repair and servicing.
- Tools: Soldering irons, multimeters, and a good understanding of radio frequencies.
- Radio Equipment: Ham radios, shortwave radios, and whatever other means of long-distance communication. Gaining proficiency in handling these devices is something that every single member of a group in a homestead should do. If they´re not operated or connected properly, can be damaged.
Building a “Repair Library”
At this stage, we should have compiled a good library by now. Digital or physical, it´s irrelevant. But if your main power source fails and your battery rack is frozen, you can´t provide electricity to a tablet to read your workshop manual. So, I´d print everything and leave the digital backups in a safe place.
- Manuals: Acquire repair manuals for all vehicles, farm equipment, and appliances.
- Books: Invest in books on basic mechanics, electrical engineering, welding, woodworking, and other relevant skills.
- Online Resources: Utilize online forums, tutorials, and communities for sharing knowledge and troubleshooting.
Clothing
You may want to stash some important consumables: thread rolls for sewing shoes, the material used to sew holes in winter jackets, perhaps some patches, filling, and so on. Getting a few consumables of this kind on the cheap will save you not only time, but money, in the future.
Prioritizing Repairability:
- When purchasing new equipment: Choose models known for their durability, ease of repair, and availability of replacement parts.
- Embrace older, simpler technologies: Older equipment is often more robust and easier to repair than modern, complex machines.
Developing a “Repair Mindset”
- Embrace the challenge: View every broken item as an opportunity to learn and grow. I´ve found quite useful stuff at home that my father received for free and repaired with a couple of dollars, selling them after for a fair price.
- Experiment and innovate: Don’t be afraid to try unconventional solutions and adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
- Share knowledge: Teach others the skills you’ve acquired and foster a community of repairers.
Prepping to Repair is not just about acquiring tools, consumables, and skills; it’s about cultivating and transmitting a mindset of resourcefulness, resilience, and self-reliance.
It’s about recognizing that, in an environment where access to readily available resources may be limited, the ability to repair and maintain what we have is crucial for long-term survival and prosperity.
This article provides a broad overview.
Focus on what YOU need.
Remember to tailor your focus to your specific needs and circumstances. But generally speaking, as long as your health allows it, you could do plenty of maintenance by yourself. Sadly, this is something we have to accept. Sooner or later we will need to repair something.
By investing some time and resources in the skills and knowledge necessary to repair and maintain your essential equipment, you can significantly increase your chances of thriving in a challenging and uncertain future.
Thanks for your reading!
Stay safe, and keep tuned!
J.
About Jose
Jose is an upper middle class professional. He is a former worker of the oil state company with a Bachelor’s degree from one of the best national Universities. He has an old but in good shape SUV, a good 150 square meters house in a nice neighborhood, in a small but (formerly) prosperous city with two middle size malls. Jose is a prepper and shares his eyewitness accounts and survival stories from the collapse of his beloved Venezuela. Jose and his younger kid are currently back in Venezuela, after the intention of setting up a new life in another country didn’t go well. The SARSCOV2 re-shaped the labor market and South American economy so he decided to give it a try to homestead in the mountains, and make a living as best as possible. But this time in his own land, and surrounded by family, friends and acquaintances, with all the gear and equipment collected, as the initial plan was.
Follow Jose on YouTube and gain access to his exclusive content on Patreon. Donations: paypal.me/JoseM151
One Response
Great summing up: i just read the story of my life since here…fixing things since my first fishing rod at three or four with a bent nail and a string and still getting a goldfish out of granddads pond…..the smell of succes is greater than the spanking…..just lacking in medical skills and farming/herbs….
For a long time i am spending my money on tools and materials, as they are the best saving of money no bank can equal…both for use and as a way to barter/make profit. I do all of these and it pays off. It takes time but in a throw away world like were i live in the picking is good….
Just heard from my brother in law they installed a marble kitchen top….30.000 euro….for the staff of a company to lunch on….crazy people in a crazy world, no reaspect for money and what it means to others….always thought 20 year old sports athletes who make millions is lunacrazy but dentist also are criminal….
I think those who can repair most anything are the lucky ones in this world….the feeling of creating is unparalled…well, aside or along a few things…..i travel without fear and with spare parts and tools, it has to be really serious not to be solved on the spot.
To learn things is simply to try and fail, or get there halfway. Next time you might succeed and then there is Youtube, always someone who wants to show how something is done….