DIY Hacks That Actually Work (and the Ones That Don’t) | Episode 548

DIY Hacks That Actually Work (and the Ones That Don’t) | Episode 548

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning it’s a mild 56 degrees. Today we’re diving into something fun, messy, occasionally questionable, and very Survival Punk: DIY hacks — which ones actually work, which ones probably don’t, and which ones might just save your butt in an emergency.

This entire episode comes straight from my morning drive recording — the one where I went through hack after hack, debunking myths, explaining car tricks, first aid improvisations, and even roasting some of the absurd garbage floating around online.

Let’s get into it.

The Aspirin-in-the-Battery Trick — Probably a No
Years ago, Popular Mechanics published a hack claiming you could stab a hole in a dead car battery, drop in two aspirins, and magically start the car.
I read that back in the day and stored it in my mental apocalypse Rolodex.

So when my wife’s VW Beetle struggled to start because the catalytic converter is choking to death, this hack came back to mind.

But after researching?
Probably doesn’t work.
You will ruin your battery.
You might get a tiny chemical reaction… but you’re also destroying a $150 battery for a chance at a spark.

Still — I’m itching to test this on camera. But for now?
Do not rely on this.

Underwear Elastic as a Serpentine Belt — Maybe… but Don’t Count On It
Another old-school MacGyver hack:
“If your serpentine belt breaks, the elastic band from your underwear can get you to safety.”

Technically? Maybe.
Realistically?
Carry a spare serpentine belt — they’re cheap, small, and live perfectly in your trunk.
Way safer than stripping your Hanes like Rambo.

Straight-Piping a Catalytic Converter — Yes, That Works
Your catalytic converter is choking your car? It’s not illegal everywhere to bypass it — and in the country, many folks do exactly that.

Cut it open, hollow it out, weld it back, or straight-pipe it.
Your car will run better.
You just won’t pass emissions.
Again — depends on where you live. But the hack is legit.

Eggs in a Radiator — Yes, It Actually Works… Temporarily
I’ve done it.
It works just enough to limp the car to a shop.

But don’t use eggs if you can store:
Bar’s Stop Leak
Fixes more problems, less omelet.

Keep a bottle in your vehicle. Always.

Belts and Bandanas as Tourniquets — Yes, They Work in a Pinch
A belt is NOT an ideal tourniquet.
A bandana and a carabiner is a much better improvised option.

But here’s the rule:
Dead limb > dead person.

If it’s a femoral bleed, you use what you’ve got.
The perfect is not the enemy of not dying.

Keep a real tourniquet in your EDC if you can.

“5-Minute Craft” Hacks Are 99% Fake
I said it on the show and I’ll say it here again:
Those “5-minute crafts” videos are engineered bullshit.
They fake results, use hidden cuts, or straight-up lie.

Don’t trust anything from them without real testing.

Crisco Candle — Yes, This One Actually Works
Stick a wick or twisted paper towel into a tub of Crisco and boom:
A long-burning emergency candle.

Smells weird.
Burns forever.
Actually effective.

If you’re carnivore and don’t keep Crisco?
Fine.
Buy one tub and leave it in your prepper stash.

Crayons as Candles — Yes, But Terrible
They burn…
…but smoke, smell awful, and melt weird.

Better than total darkness.
Worse than almost every other light option.

Solar Yard Lights Indoors — Surprisingly Useful
Stick a bunch of cheap solar lights in your yard.
Power outage?
Bring the tops inside.

Instant ambient lighting without draining batteries.

It’s not tactical, but it works.

Hobo Can Stove — 100% Effective
This is one of my favorite hacks:
Grab a metal coffee can (the cheap kind your grandparents buy), drill holes at the base, snip out a feed port, and you’ve got a functional wood-burning emergency stove.

Use sticks.
Use pine cones.
Put a pot on top.

Boom — hot food during a blackout.

Alcohol Soda-Can Stove — Great for Boiling Water
Take an aluminum can, cut, fold, vent it, pour alcohol inside — and you get a lightweight emergency burner.
Not for steaks.
Perfect for boiling water or roasting marshmallows when the weather ruins outdoor plans.

I’ve done this several times, including once indoors when my daughter was devastated about missing s’mores.
It works — just be safe.

Coca-Cola Cleans Battery Corrosion — Yes
It’s acidic enough to strip corrosion.
Gross?
Yes.
Effective?
Also yes.

Use a sacrificial toothbrush for best results.

Tampons Don’t Go Inside Gunshot Wounds — Stop Believing That
Internet myth:
“Just shove a tampon in a gunshot wound. Boom, fixed.”

NO.
That makes things worse.

What does work?
Rip open the tampon, use the gauze-like core as wound packing.
It’s sterile.
It’s absorbent.
It works.

But maxi pads are way better for surface wounds.

Final Thoughts
The internet is full of ridiculous hacks — some genius, some catastrophic, some hilarious.

But here’s the Survival Punk truth:
Test your hacks. Fact-check them. And never rely entirely on something you’ve never tried.

Real hacks, real skills, real experience.
That’s how you build confidence in the chaos.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive.

Amazon Item OF The Day

Bar’s Leaks Radiator Stop Leak, 11 oz

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