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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

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

Doh! I liked this idea until I read your comment. These would probably be pretty weak, huh?

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

It’s upside down. Next time, just put it right side up.

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M O'Connell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it isn't. The black bars are uprights for a modular shelving unit. The shelves lock into those teardrop cut-outs. The OP happens to be using those holes to secure the whole thing to a wall instead of leaving it free-standing.

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

Not a tremendous fan of this one. I don't like to leave sharp edges where, later on forgetting about them, fingers may 'recall' they are there the hard way.

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

I'd lay money that this is somewhere that's never heard of OSHA or it is in the home of a Sovereign Citizen

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

Use what you have. My great grandfather had livestock on his farm. He had wooden posts. He kept the tops cut off tin cans and covered the tops of the posts to prevent rot. Many lasted upwards of 50 years or more.

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

YAASSS! most have a little bit of a "gasket" on the inside as well!

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

There have been times when I've just taken pennies and nickels, drilled a hole in them and used them as washers, especially when the washer costs more than five cents and involves a separate trip to the store.

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

Back when bottle caps had actual cork in them, I had to use the cork from one to stem a small gas leak on my motorcycle until proper repairs were made. It worked.

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

Problem is - you're going to scrape your hands or other things if they get near those bottle caps because of the way they are pointing. Clever idea but surely something else might work with less scratchiness?

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

Compromising frame integrity by making a bigger hole to for a cap...nope.

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bdunbar@kcls.org
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Retired electrician husband, we have a million washers of the wrong size in the garage. This is so very cool.

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

if they were screw caps could add bottles to hold thing other hardware

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

Ah you call those washers ? We call them "little roundies", roughly translated from italian

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

The picture is upside down or else the rack is. You can tell by the holes where the support screws go.

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

Look at the shelf. Unless it's levitating, the rack is upright.

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

One of my neighbors, a retired machinist, would just use nickels as washers...technically illegal, but I never saw the Feds come to haul him away, so...

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

And you were probably forced to drink all that beer against your will.

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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.