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Metal rusts and velour can be torn, so it's only a matter of time before your old Honda Civic breaks down. Of course, if you have money and you bought that car because you love the way it looks, you can probably just take it to the mechanic and let them fix it. However, if you're broke and that was the only reason why you got that pile of junk in the first place, you'll probably have to bring it back to life yourself.

But fear not, you'd be amazed to know how much is possible with so little. And the subreddit r/RedneckEngineering is the perfect example of that. It has plenty of funny, surprising, and creative DIY projects that simultaneously make sense and appear completely useless but can definitely inspire you to pick up a wrench and start working on that metal pony of yours.

Continue scrolling to check out recent posts that went viral within this online community and fire up Bored Panda's earlier article on it for more.

#1

Cut A Pool Noodle In Half To Make A Comfortable Armrest For The Truck. From Australia

Cut A Pool Noodle In Half To Make A Comfortable Armrest For The Truck. From Australia

goobly_goo Report

When my colleague Liucija contacted the founder of r/RedneckEngineering, they told her that the term “redneck engineering" is still open for interpretation. However, the Redditor reassured that it's also “the kind of thing you know when you see.”

For example, “It can range from something as common as using a hand mirror to replace a side-view mirror to something complex like building a backyard water slide with a loop-de-loop.” The members of the subreddit give “bonus points if it'd make an OSHA inspector cringe.”

#3

Not The Prettiest, But It Gets The Job Done!

Not The Prettiest, But It Gets The Job Done!

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

#4

A Plunger And Hot Water, Who’d A Thunk It

A Plunger And Hot Water, Who’d A Thunk It

Spudnut Report

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Parmeisan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, it might. When I got rear-ended you could barely tell by looking at it, but the entire car was written off as the back end had lost structural integrity. A second collision, if it hit the right place, could have been fatal. So please, have your car looked at by a professional before applying any tricks like this.

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La Kalypso
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you imagine how much money these body shops charge when they probably spend the same amount of time and effort in similar situations? This is genius, btw.

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Nizumi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"THUNK" being the very sound that happens when you pull the dent out :)

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GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard that on metal parts, you can park the car in full sun, or use a blow dryer to get the metal hot, and put an ice cube on it to pull small dings. I don't know if it works, but worth a shot. You can also go online and buy dent pullers, of various qualities that work on metal and plastic. Yeah body shops are seriously expensive these days.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is common knowledge and not any type of strange engineering. I did this over 30 years ago when someone kicked a dent in my car door. Plunged it right out.

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della by the sea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn’t call this common knowledge. We got people out here that struggle checking their tire pressure or even putting gas in.

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BusLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neighbor was a shadetree mechanic and he shared this with us.

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Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's only the plastic bumper trim, but the same technique can be used to remove small dents from metal panels.

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ANDYJOE75
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen videos like this, but not sure why people very rarely use this technique..... no need for repair guy...... lazy people?

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EJN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are also those that you can buy in car products stores which are a bit stronger than a plunger

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Printerman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people thunk it, though. Been hearing about this for literally decades.

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Thay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen this tried and failed. Not sure what to believe on it. Maybe I will try myself if I ever get a little ding on my car

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NotTodaySatan!!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who would have thought it?? Only bunches of people for bunches of years.

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Ebony
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't recommend using the same plunger you use for the toilet. You may have a different type of stain on the car... Just saying

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The biggest difference between now and the old days in 2013 when r/RedneckEngineering was created is growth. The founder said that he used to be responsible for most of the posts, but the community has become really self-sustaining over time.

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When it comes to submissions, you’ll see all kinds of bizarre makeshift gadgets and very questionable workarounds. Most posts generally come from people finding “low-budget workarounds to everyday problems with a few high-effort engineering projects and other submissions sprinkled in.”

The pandemic might also have something to do with the subreddit's increasing popularity. According to a national survey by The Freedonia Group in December 2020, 39% of consumers reported undertaking home improvement projects because of changes associated with these trying times.

#7

How To Keep Your Drone From Falling Down Into A River

How To Keep Your Drone From Falling Down Into A River

DampfJaguar0674 Report

#8

The Birdhouse Booby Trap Device

The Birdhouse Booby Trap Device

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

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#9

I Work At A Warehouse In Sweden, And Recently They Halved The Speed Of All Forklifts (From 16 Km/H To 8 Km/H) For Safety Reasons. I Just Thought They Put Some Limiter In The Software, But No. They Found A Far Smarter Solution…

I Work At A Warehouse In Sweden, And Recently They Halved The Speed Of All Forklifts (From 16 Km/H To 8 Km/H) For Safety Reasons. I Just Thought They Put Some Limiter In The Software, But No. They Found A Far Smarter Solution…

MITT_NAMN_JEFF Report

#11

All Y'all Doing Yard Work Like Scrubs. Here's The Real Way

All Y'all Doing Yard Work Like Scrubs. Here's The Real Way

killamcleods , www.facebook.com Report

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H Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd hate to live somewhere that I can't even have a dead plant in my own yard.

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#12

Found In A Group Called “Stairs Designed By People Who Aren’t Afraid To Die” But I Still Quite Like How Simple And Cheap A Solution It Is

Found In A Group Called “Stairs Designed By People Who Aren’t Afraid To Die” But I Still Quite Like How Simple And Cheap A Solution It Is

samcornwell Report

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#14

Disinfecting In A Beiping Market, Smart And Timely!

Disinfecting In A Beiping Market, Smart And Timely!

AmericanBornWuhaner Report

#15

This Has To Count

This Has To Count

PlopPlopFizzFizzzz Report

#17

Anti-Theft Protection

Anti-Theft Protection

saltypotato-612 Report

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Don Golosso
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the USA, having a stickshift is a theft protection on its own. (It's just a joke, don't hate me)

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#18

My Father Built His Own Observatory

My Father Built His Own Observatory

Finneringasvar Report

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David Struve
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely nothing wrong with this. This is how the first observatories were built and even became a thing in the first place!

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#20

I Couldn't Find Any Washers That Would Fit Over The Heads Of Screws... So... Yep

I Couldn't Find Any Washers That Would Fit Over The Heads Of Screws... So... Yep

Jebedia47 Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Smart! I like this solution. I rarely have washers around, and bottle caps are just trash. It's smart to reuse them.

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#21

Safe As Houses

Safe As Houses

Agreeable-Dinner Report

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H Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see this kind of thing at construction sites everywhere in the country where I live. There have been several serious accidents and multiple deaths but nobody seems to want to do anything about it. Not home repairs like this picture, actual construction sites.

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#22

Humane Rat Trap

Humane Rat Trap

dee_snutz Report

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Eva the Egg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did this once when we had some baby mice trapped in our garage. We set them free in a park nearby~

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#24

Our Doorbell Has Been Broken So We Had To Improvise

Our Doorbell Has Been Broken So We Had To Improvise

violinfiddleman Report

#25

This Man Is Before His Time

This Man Is Before His Time

bjs1023113 Report

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad its a parasol not an umbrella, that would raise questions of handle placement.

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#26

Home Made Drone

Home Made Drone

KeciaHuertas Report

#27

A Pvc Pipe Basketball "Hoop" I Made So That My Son Could Practise

A Pvc Pipe Basketball "Hoop" I Made So That My Son Could Practise

Tominator2000 Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it. I'm sure the son does too ^-^ that show caring as well as ingenuity

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#28

Does This Count?

Does This Count?

nox011 Report

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My coworker did a similar one when his mirror fell out, came in with his daughters barbie mirror taped on as a replacement.

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#29

Found This On An Old Project File, I Was Ahead Of My Time

Found This On An Old Project File, I Was Ahead Of My Time

Danthedepresedman Report

#30

This Was Very Smart

This Was Very Smart

Using tree limbs chained to the wheels to free a stuck tractor.

Zeezoo619 Report

#31

When You Finally Decide To Re-Purpose Those Old Bombs You Had Laying Around...

When You Finally Decide To Re-Purpose Those Old Bombs You Had Laying Around...

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

#32

Saw This Volume Limiter On R/Hometheater Thought Of This Sub

Saw This Volume Limiter On R/Hometheater Thought Of This Sub

OhTheHueManatee Report

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#33

Portable AC Unit (Pumps Ice Cold Water From Cooler Through Copper Coil Over Fan)

Portable AC Unit (Pumps Ice Cold Water From Cooler Through Copper Coil Over Fan)

PharmacistDude Report

#34

Ain't Stupid If It Works!

Ain't Stupid If It Works!

lilchalupzen Report

#35

Back In 2006 When We Lived In Thailand I Couldn't Find A Guitar Hero Guitar For My Playstation 2 So I Hacked A Knock-Off Dualshock Controller And A Mosquito Zapper Into A DIY Guitar Hero Controller - Complete With A Mercury Switch For Star Power

Back In 2006 When We Lived In Thailand I Couldn't Find A Guitar Hero Guitar For My Playstation 2 So I Hacked A Knock-Off Dualshock Controller And A Mosquito Zapper Into A DIY Guitar Hero Controller - Complete With A Mercury Switch For Star Power

Tominator2000 Report

#36

My 96y/O Great Grandma Was Having Trouble. Her Apartment’s Ac Vent Blew Directly Into Her Eyes To The Point She Couldn’t Watch TV Or Read Anymore. I Made A Cardboard Vent Cover To Go Over The Vent & Reverse The Air Flow Direction

My 96y/O Great Grandma Was Having Trouble. Her Apartment’s Ac Vent Blew Directly Into Her Eyes To The Point She Couldn’t Watch TV Or Read Anymore. I Made A Cardboard Vent Cover To Go Over The Vent & Reverse The Air Flow Direction

HandMadeFeelings Report

#37

Feast Your Eyes… My Brother’s Gaming Chair

Feast Your Eyes… My Brother’s Gaming Chair

YoungBeef03 Report

#38

Oculus 2 Weight Balance Fix

Oculus 2 Weight Balance Fix

butwhyisitso Report

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David Struve
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kinda dumb that the makers of this device (and other makers of devices like these) didn't even bother to solve this issue themselves to begin with. Unless they intend for your neck/head to get sore after a while to purposely limit how much time you use the device for??

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#40

Pharmacy Ran Out Of Iv Holders. They Suggested To Hold It With My Hands. I Lasted Half A Bottle

Pharmacy Ran Out Of Iv Holders. They Suggested To Hold It With My Hands. I Lasted Half A Bottle

Ladrodidrop Report

#42

My Dumbass Solution To The Problem Of High-Hanging Fruit

My Dumbass Solution To The Problem Of High-Hanging Fruit

BlueOysterCultist Report

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Joonscrab
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think a lot of Indian homes in the countryside use something similar lol

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#45

Only Had Two Batteries, And Also This Thing Was Crazy Bright

Only Had Two Batteries, And Also This Thing Was Crazy Bright

thatsbs Report

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Twodogsandapicnictable
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The messed up part is that it has a three battery compartment if it never needed that much power to begin with.

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#46

Redneck Rotisserie

Redneck Rotisserie

dee_snutz , aliaksandrzhdanau Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hah, amateurs. I know of somebody with an aeroplane engined race car that has a sausage rotisserie attachment for the side of his car and he flame grills sausages with the exhaust. It even has a couple of toast holders. Sausage butties wherever he goes! Edit: Can't find footage of the rotisserie, but this is the car: https://youtu.be/Ua-0wSn0azs

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#49

Saw This In Another Sub And Thought It Belonged Here

Saw This In Another Sub And Thought It Belonged Here

MechJeb042 Report

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Natasha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait wha- I how did they get on the cycl- how did the cycle get ther- is there someone sitting in the ca- I - what the- I- so many questions- I-

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#50

Bubba, Why Does Your Lawn Have Crop Circles On It?

Bubba, Why Does Your Lawn Have Crop Circles On It?

5_Frog_Margin Report

Note: this post originally had 114 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.