homesteading


Performance of the WaterBuck Pump

A few months ago, we at Well WaterBoy Products made some changes to our first WaterBuck Pump model. We installed a stronger sucker rod system adequate for the torque created by our pump – ¾” fiberglass rod.  We also redesigned the pump lever to increase torque for efficiency and installed […]


Something New at the Watering Hole

Ever since we began making well buckets in 2011, people have asked us where to buy a windlass to use with a bucket. Darren researched and pondered this a long time, finally concluding no practical windlasses exist for torpedo well buckets in drilled wells. Years ago, people used a simple […]

old mining windlass

Threading

How to Use a Treadle Sewing Machine

Although I learned to sew on my great-grandmother’s Singer treadle machine as a child, I haven’t used a treadle since I was a teen, which was, ah, some time ago. When Darren and I brought home an antique White Family Rotary treadle from a thrift store last year, I thought […]


‘American Blackout’ Reveals Chronic Energy Addiction

Watching National Geographic’s “American Blackout” movie last night, it appears we are a bunch of numbskulls who can’t even open a can of peaches without electricity. We haven’t had television for years, but were able to watch the movie on YouTube. It made for a pleasant evening as I brought […]


compost men

Bring Back Victory Gardens

As the U.S. government begins scaling back its Food Stamp Program, I wonder how 48 million recipients (almost 1 of every 6 Americans) are being advised to make the transition to reduced or discontinued benefits. Cuts loom ahead, too, for Social Security and other programs. Is home gardening ever encouraged […]