DIY or Buy? The Prepper’s Dilemma | Episode 537

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s a crisp 51-degree November morning — and yes, I’m still coughing up half a gallon of crud — but the show must go on. Today’s topic? One every prepper wrestles with sooner or later: When to build it yourself, and when to just buy the damn thing.

There’s a fine line between DIY ingenuity and wasting months of your life reinventing something that’s already perfect. Let’s talk about how to know the difference — and why the smartest preppers use both approaches.

A YouTube video kicked this one off for me. A British guy decided to make a home backup battery system — out of discarded vape pens.

Yeah, those little disposable e-cigs? Each has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery inside. He collected hundreds from festival grounds and vape shops, stripped them, tested each one, 3D-printed holders, soldered the wiring, and built controllers and connections.

After months of trial and error, he powered his house from vape batteries.

Cool? Absolutely.
Efficient? Not even close.

He probably spent four months of his life building something that, if he’d DoorDashed or picked up overtime, he could’ve just bought — like a Jackery or Bluetti — for three or four grand.

That’s the balance we’re talking about today: DIY for knowledge and independence vs. buying for reliability and time.

There are times when the DIY path isn’t just smart — it’s essential.

Learning & Skill Building
If you’re learning how systems work, DIY is gold. Build a small solar panel setup, wire a 12V lighting system, or hand-sew a tarp shelter. Even if you screw it up, you’ll know more than most people ever will.

Repair & Maintenance
Fixing gear yourself saves money and builds confidence. Whether it’s patching boots, soldering electronics, or regrinding tools, repair is where DIY shines.

Custom or Niche Needs
Can’t find exactly what you want? Build it. I once made my own Velcro shotgun shell carrier. It worked — sort of. The pro version I later bought was way better, but the process taught me how it functioned.

Off-Grid Systems
DIY solar, water catchment, or rocket stoves — these projects scale with your skills and resources. A hybrid setup (store-bought panels, DIY wiring and plumbing) can save you thousands.

Improvisation
When supply chains collapse, you can’t “just order one.” Being able to make do is a prepper superpower.

Then there’s the other side of the coin — things you shouldn’t DIY unless you want to end up as a Darwin Award nominee.

Safety Gear
Don’t skimp here. I’ve made my own bullet-stopping steel plates — and they worked — but I still wouldn’t wear them. Heavy, untested, and dangerous. Buy your armor, helmets, gloves, and harnesses.

Complex Electronics
Some folks can etch their own circuit boards, but for most of us, that’s a quick way to let the magic smoke out. Power inverters, charge controllers, radios — stick to reliable brands.

Time-Sensitive Projects
DIY takes time. If your generator breaks in a storm, it’s not the moment to learn circuit theory. Know when to just buy or swap parts fast.

Proven Reliability
A homemade chainsaw or firearm might “work,” but not for long — and not safely. Some tools are best left to pros who’ve been refining them for decades.

Your time is a resource — maybe your most valuable one.

I ran the math: four months of building vape batteries vs. four months of DoorDash. $250 a week gets you $4,000 — enough for a high-end solar generator, guaranteed and ready to use.

It’s not just about money; it’s about efficiency. You can learn and earn at the same time.

That’s why I’m a hybrid prepper — DIY what makes sense, buy what saves time, and invest in skills over stuff.

DIY when it builds knowledge, customization, or resilience.

Buy when it saves time, ensures safety, or provides proven reliability.

Simple as that.

You don’t get bonus prepper points for suffering through unnecessary projects. You get points for being smart, self-reliant, and prepared when others freeze up.

Closing Thoughts
If you’ve ever spent 20 hours fabricating something you could’ve bought for $20 — welcome to the club. We’ve all been there.

The trick is knowing when to innovate and when to delegate. Prepping isn’t about hoarding gear or proving you can make everything from scratch — it’s about efficiency, adaptability, and survival.

If you liked this episode, join the Survival Punk Army for early episodes, member-only guides, and my eBooks. Head to SurvivalPunk.com for more.

DIY smart — and survive smarter.

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station,1070Wh LiFePO4 Battery,1500W AC/100W USB-C Output, 1 Hr Fast Charge, Solar Generator for Camping,Emergency, RV, Off-Grid Living(Solar Panel Optional)

I Powered My House Using 500 Disposable vapes

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