When something breaks, or we want a new accessory or appliance that’ll make our lives easier, we often think the only solution is to go out and buy something. But these people decided to save their money and made do with what they already had. The result? Some creative DIYs that’ll make anyone laugh while still getting the job done. From dealing with broken auto parts to remodeling their home, take a look at how these amateur engineers managed to fix their problems in hilariously inventive ways.
When You Need a Permit to Build a Deck but Not to Store Your Boat
Anyone who has ever tried to build a deck or an extension to their house knows the hassle of getting the precious permit that allows you to make alterations on your property. It’s no secret that there is enough red tape to make anyone want to give up. So when this person wanted a new deck, they found themselves a funny loophole instead of cutting through that red tape.
Rather than waiting for a deck permit, they just turned their boat into a deck as no permit was needed to store a boat on their private property.
DIY Cat Backpack: All You Need Is a Box and the Colander in Your Kitchen
Sometimes you just want to bring your pet with you wherever you may be going during the day. However, those pet carriers are cumbersome and unnecessarily expensive for a simple bag large enough to hold your cat or small dog. And when things get too costly, sometimes it’s just cheaper to make one yourself. That’s what this person did when they made a pet carrier backpack out of a cardboard box, a colander, and ratchet straps.
Now, they can take their cat wherever they go, and they didn’t go broke in the process. Look at that curious cat staring out through the colander! Who knew the same thing that strains your pasta water could be used for this?
Could You Imagine Calling a Roof Cleaner and They Show up With This?
If you are a homeowner, then you probably know how expensive it is to get your rooftop and gutters cleaned. Despite the price, we must get it done because leaving it dirty can lead to disastrous results. But instead of spending thousands on a professional, you can just hire this man who crafted a rooftop cleaner by taping his leaf blower to a skateboard and attaching it to a rope.
Now, he can just sit back and watch as your rooftop gets cleaned for cheap. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can give this device a shot on your own. As far as we know, it hasn’t been patented.
Pool Noodle Covering for When It’s Hailing and You Don’t Have Insurance
Hail damage is the great wrecker of car rooftops and insurance premiums. And since not everyone in the world has a garage to park their cars, some people can’t do anything but worry when the weather gets frightful. Or so we thought until we met this person. This man has invented a pool noodle car covering to save his car from any potential damage caused during a hail storm.
Once summer is over, pool noodles fall into that category of “useless things we’ll keep around until next year.” But now, instead of letting these annoying summer pool toys fill up your basement, you can put them to good use.
One-Of-A-Kind Fan
Skateboards are one of those iconic pieces of equipment that never fail to serve some purpose. They are initially used for skateboarding, but once worn out, they can be repurposed and used as wall decor for your personal space. But why just hang them on the wall when they can be used to serve a purpose beyond decor? That’s what this person thought when they decided to retrofit their broken fan with old skateboards.
They saved money, did something good for the environment, and were able to put those old skateboards that were clogging up their storage space to some use.
This Leaf Blower/funnel Combination Will Be Your New BFF Next Summer
The leaf blower is the most deceivingly-named product in your local hardware store. While these devices are marketed only as a blower of fallen leaves, they can serve many useful purposes. That’s what this person discovered when they lost the pump for their inflatable pool. They thought all hope was lost, but with their leaf blower and a funnel, they were able to inflate their pool without a problem.
Leaf blowers shouldn’t be called “leaf blowers;” instead, they should have a more multi-purpose title such as “universal blower” or something along those lines to encapsulate their utility fully.
Broken Broom? Say No More
Brooms are one of those accessories that seem to have a quirk about them. Most of us keep an extra one lying around just in case the one we use breaks. And whenever you don’t have an extra one, it’s guaranteed you’ll have issues with your broom – that’s Murphy’s Law. Fortunately, there is a quick fix for when you’re in the middle of cleaning, and your broom falls apart; all it requires is a bottle cap.
Just attach the cap to the brush and the top of the bottle to the handle. Now, you can twist your handle back into place, and voila, you just saved yourself a trip to the store.
Did You Know Your Tool Box Is for Building and Also for Cracking Nuts?
People who own extensive amounts of hardware tools are known to keep them close to their hearts. A toolbox owner is always aware of exactly what tools they own and where they are. They also know their tools’ secret uses that others might never even imagine. These look like a normal wrench and hammer to the unaware eye, but to the trained eye, these are for more than tightening bolts or hammering nails. They’re for nut cracking.
That is correct: your wrench and your hammer are great additions to any nut-cracking set you might have around the house. The proof is in the photo above.
No Windows, No Problem
Taking your dogs in the car with you while you go about town can be a bother. They always want to stick their heads out the windows, and sometimes that just isn’t possible since your dog might jump out if they see a squirrel. Things become even more complicated if your car doesn’t have windows, to begin with, like this dog owner’s truck. But they came up with the perfect solution, photographed below.
They used wiring to craft an open-aired truck fitted to each of his dogs. Every dog even has a perch custom-made to their needs so they can enjoy the ride.
He Got His Tools Stolen Multiple Times, but Not After He Did This
A person’s tool kit is a precious thing. But owning one comes with baggage: everyone in the neighborhood wants to “borrow” your tools. The solution is seemingly simple; just hide your tools. The only question is where? This person created the perfect hiding place by installing a toolkit holder underneath the side of their truck. Lifting the metal exterior of the car reveals a tool collection that would make every neighbor envious.
Additional benefits of this hiding spot are that no one can take anything while you are away, and your tools are always with you when you need them.
Their Inflatable Pools Kept Breaking so…
Building a pool is serious work and usually requires hiring some professionals to get the job done. The other alternative is using an inflatable pool, but those can be pretty annoying and tend to break. So instead of buying an inflatable pool or spending big bucks on an underground one, this person transformed the trunk of their old truck into a pool on their back porch. Very environmentally friendly and creative!
Not only was an old truck repurposed into something new, but now the fam has a fun place to splash around during hot summer days without spending a fortune! It’s a win-win from all angles.
They Should’ve Gotten a Patent for This One
Leveling is an essential aspect of any construction project. The last thing someone wants to do is install a bookshelf or a cabinet that is not level and have things falling off or rolling around inside. Newer screwdrivers and other tools have a leveling mechanism installed into the device to simplify this leveling process. But why buy a new one when you can tape your leveler onto your old drill as this DIYer did?
This person did that, and while it might not look pretty, it will certainly get the job done right and leveled. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to pay more.
That’s One Way to Avoid a Mortgage
For most, an RV is a recreational vehicle used for short, non-permanent stays. Some people live out of RVs permanently, but these are usually people who subscribe to a more nomadic lifestyle. But not whoever owns the baby pictured below. They turned their RV into a permanent and non-nomadic home by installing a roof and porch to the side of it. We’re not sure how we feel about it, but it gets the job done (whatever that job might’ve been).
This was most likely cheaper than building a home from scratch, and it definitely avoids a traditional mortgage. Good for them!
Build Your Own Shelving Unit by Stealing a Grocery Cart
Ever wanted to steal one of those shopping carts from the supermarkets? No? Neither have we. However, after seeing this, we might just be interested in seeing if we could find one to purchase online legally. This person took a metal shopping cart from their local supermarket, cut it in half, and installed it as a kitchen cabinet. Very original and even has a bit of modern-industrial-chic to it.
This idea is pretty nifty and will be an icebreaker for anyone who enters your kitchen. However, please do not go stealing the carts from your local supermarket.
How to Get 20″ Rims for Cheap
Sometimes we see nice, expensive things in the world, and we really want to purchase them even if we don’t have the money to make such purchases. When this person saw the nice wide rims on some cars, they had that problem. But rather than going out and spending money they shouldn’t be spending on rims, they found a cheap alternative. Using some expertly applied tape, they transformed their regular wheels into high-end ones.
You wouldn’t notice unless you got close, and the results are fantastic (and a bit funny). Sometimes there really is no need to spend all that money when you can turn it into a DIY project – just make sure no one ever zooms in on your ride.
This Gas Station Knows How to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Turning old objects into something new takes artistic talent, and it is even more impressive if the new item actually functions as intended. Old wheels are oftentimes reused for their rubber, but why not take your old tires and turn them into something fun like the employees at this gas station did? They have crafted a brand-new sink out of a metal bowl and an old tire, and the results make us want one.
Honestly, if every single car repair shop, gas station, and tire shop does not immediately install this sink in their restrooms, then they are really missing out on a unique opportunity.
When You Run Out of Flat Washers in the Middle of the Project
Ever been in the middle of a DIY project when you suddenly realized you were out of an essential hardware piece? That’s what happened to this person as they were working on a repair; they ran out of flat washers in the middle of it. But rather than get upset or leave the house to rush to the store, they decided to get creative and used pennies instead of flat washers.
The result? It’s as good as it would’ve been with the official hardware accessory – but much cheaper! Seems like a win-win to us.
Forget Smart Video Doorbells – We Want This One
Doorbells are so fancy nowadays; some have customizable rings and even cameras! But these people wanted none of that. In fact, it seems they probably don’t want visitors at all. When their traditional doorbell broke, they installed a bear trap in its place. By pressing the button labeled “Red Neck Door Bell,” your hand will be trapped, and your scream will notify everyone inside the house that you’ve arrived.
This one is a nasty trick, and we certainly hope no one has actually ever pushed – or will push – this button. They should probably warn their loved ones that it’s a joke.
When You Really Want a Yacht but Can’t Afford One
Many of us have dreamt of owning a yacht at one point or another. And not just any yacht: a yacht complete with a living room, an outdoor area, and a great motor to get us smoothly through the water. Unfortunately, most of us can’t afford that. But rather than give up on his dream, this man took matters into his own hands – literally. He created a faux yacht using his dinghy.
We could see ourselves spending hours on this DIY yacht. As long as it doesn’t sink before then, that is. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for this creative inventor.
You See Empty Beer Cans, This Person Sees Taco Stands
Ever seen those taco stands that they sell at grocery and kitchen stores? We have, and we always thought they were one of those purchases that never end up getting used. If you agree with us, then instead of wasting money on those fancy stands, follow this person’s example and use empty beer cans to hold your delicious taco. All you need to do is dent the can in the middle!
Sometimes it amazes us how much stuff we buy that rarely gets put to good use. But everyone knows if you buy beer, you’ll use it – so there’s no losing here.