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40 Times People Had Such ‘Genius’ Solutions To Various Problems, They Got Posted On ‘Redneck Engineering’
Don’t you ever feel like we take things too seriously? I mean, if the heating stops working, there are many very questionable, yet bizarrely ingenious ways to go about it—like putting a fan next to the oven. It’s totally not smart, not safe, it doesn’t work, and it’s basically a plain horrible idea.
But in the bizarre and crazy world of “Redneck Engineering,” things are always far from the norm. Before we step into the Reddit community r/RedNeckEngineering, I should warn you not to try this at home under any circumstances. Because safety will likely be breached, and the gadgets you’ll see will raise an alarming level of suspicion.
So let’s see what the buzz is all about in this hilarious subreddit with 354k members that has been rolling since 2013. Whether it's a curse or a blessing, we will find out.
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#2
Protection From Escaping
#3
For Remote Teaching Without A Document Camera
Bored Panda reached out to the founder of r/RedneckEngineering to find out more about their community. It turns out, the term “redneck engineering" is open for interpretation, but the redditor assured us 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.”
#4
Looks Level To Me
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago (edited)
Something so simple and genius. I never would of thought of doing that, yet seeing it makes it seem so obvious.
#6
My 12 Year Old Son Modified His Bike With Carpet For Barefoot Riding
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.
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.”
#7
Rear Parking Sensor
#8
When You Ask A Welder To Fix Something For You
#9
Master Lock 100
#10
Found This Fork In My Brothers House And Asked Him Why He Had Done It.... Then He Ran Upstairs To Grab His iPad
#11
A Whole Crap Load Of Amish Guys Moving A Barn
wandile dludlu 5 years ago
Why is it that we Africans use brick or concrete to build walls even though we don't have hurricanes and tornados and america with it's hurricanes are like... we'll see which is the easiest thing for a bit of wind to blow away
#12
Would Like To Buy This Guy A Beer And Hear His Story
#13
Man Puts Chicken On Top Of Squeegee To Eat The Spiders Trapped In The Ceiling, Natural Pest Control
#14
Landlord Decided To Turn Down The Heat Today In My Mn Apartment As It Reached -40°. But The Idiot Must Have Forgotten He Pays My Electric And Doesn't Realize That I Value My Comfort Over Safety Or Energy Conservation.
rgr8 5 years ago
Who the frick would let someone live in a house that is -40. Your landlord is an a*hole.
Anne 5 years ago
The whole area had a decree from the county (state?) to be 15 Celsius (I don't know the Fahrenheit) max for heating as there were energy shortages due to all people having to use more to combat the extreme cold. They were asked to do this so the power surge was not so high that parts would have to go without. That would have caused people freezing to death inside their homes. The landlord was not an a- hole - he was following orders. And 15 degrees is not comfy, but you can put on a bit of clothes and be ok.
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Greg Hoggarth 5 years ago
Would be a lot more effective (and safer) with some cast iron pans on the elements to increase the surface area for convecting the heat away.
Go Hawks 5 years ago
Yeah, really. Maybe throw some pots on the stove with water, steam up the place? It doesn't seem like that would do the trick by itself? But, when you're freezing, hard to think straight- scary!
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Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago (edited)
I keep my thermostat at 18 degrees Celcius when I'm home and 15 when I'm out... I can always put on a jumper or cardigan if it's not warm enough. No need for 23 degrees for healthy (younger) people... PS lighting an array of tea lights- six for a small room- will make it bearable too :)
Rachel Lacow 5 years ago
You trickle the water on each faucet and open the cabinet doors to prevent frozen pipes
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BeenElle 5 years ago
In some more civilized places there are laws to protect tenants against unsafe living conditions. Landlords are required to ensure their dwellings can maintain minimum temperatures so people don’t freeze to death! America, I love you but you are not even close to the best country in the world.
WildBerry 5 years ago (edited)
This is happened in Canada-- you know, NORTH AMERICA. This would not happen in the United States. And in CENTRAL AMERICA AND SOUTH AMERICA it never gets that cold. SO which part of AMERICA are you talking about?
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Hermione Granger 5 years ago
Yeah because that would be helpful for -40 degrees
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Sandy Kavanaugh 5 years ago
Your elements will burn out. Try the oven instead and close off every other room. When the pipes freeze, he'll increase the heat!
Teresa Groth 5 years ago
So sorry that this took place and sorry you live in the this place, I would turn Him in for the illegal way He is abusing your rights as a tenant!
Candy Chitty 5 years ago
When my husband was in Vietnam, I rented a little cottage for fifty bucks that had no heat. I used plug-in floor heaters but I did this very same thing when things got real cold, and no I didn't pay electric. I wish I'd thought of the fan idea though.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 5 years ago
The formula for the conversion is degrees Celsius times 9 divided by 5 plus 32. So 0 celcius x 9 is 0, divided by 5 is 0, plus 32. Point of freezing. -40c x 9 / 5 + 32 = -40f. Same.
Diandra “Mss Didi” Blackthorn 5 years ago
Another trick if you don't pay for gas/water - run the sower with hot water to fill the tub 1/2 way and drain/refill as needed. This moist heat takes the chill out and eases muscles, joints, and lungs. I had one of these creep slumlords, too - who is not VERY sorry I was his tenant. I cost him lots of money in court fees and building violations with hopes that he will not torture future tenants.
Janinne Paulson 5 years ago
Is this supposed to be some novel revelation or something? All us poor people have done that at some point. Nothing new at all.
Jeff Bunn 5 years ago
Someone needs to report that landlord to a lawyer, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Police!! It is SO ILLEGAL to turn down the heat on a tenant in a situation like that!! If it is a question of money,there are either free lawyers or lawyers available on a sliding fee schedule!! This landlord should be sued and possibly see jail time!!
Blue 5 years ago
My landlady bragged to me that she has to wear short summer pyjamas to bed upstairs when she saw that I was wearing thick fleece panamas AND a housecoat to bed. ( I was talking garbage out and bumped into her wearing the P.Js and mentioned to her that I was cold and had to run a heater 12/7)
Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
He needs to be reported to your local Landlord/Tenant association. There are serious penalties for that kind of crap.
Lana Jig-maker 5 years ago
Landlord could be liable if damage is done due to such low temperatures in the apt
April Calderwood 5 years ago
My upstairs neighbors did this when I was living in a basement suite. I spent many a night heating my house with my oven, never with the burners though... I just heated up the inside of the oven and left the door open.
Cathy Carey 5 years ago
You could also turn the oven on and set the fan on the oven door. Of course open the door before it gets hot...
Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
Dangerous beyond beliefe. Insult to rednecks. No thought provoking attempt to solve problem just vindictive attempt to make everything worse.
#15
I’m Bad For Using Whatever Tool Is Handy As A Hammer, Usually A Crescent Wrench. My Husband Learned A Bit Of Welding And Redneck Engineered This For My Birthday
#16
Buoyancy
2 korean student's made a raft out of potato chip bags to prove they have too much air in them.
Saico Hipe 5 years ago
It annoys me every time I hear people complain about the amount of air in snack chip bags. 1.) The air is necessary, because without it, the chips would get crushed during shipment. 2.) THEY'RE SOLD BY WEIGHT. It doesn't matter if there's empty space in the bag, 5 ounces (or however much in a given bag) is 5 ounces. Learn to read labels
#17
Local Chinese Restaurant. The Entire Kitchen Is Walled Off With Plastic. There’s A Cardboard Flap To Pass Money, And The Box On The Right Acts As An Airlock With Two Flaps To Pass The Food Through. It’s All Plastic Sheet, Cardboard And Duct Tape
#18
Whoever Built This Might Have A Phd In Redneck Engineering
#19
Steering Wheel Broke, Needed To Finish The Yard. Thankfully I Know How To Drive A Stick
#20
Your Move, NASA
Lord Mysticlaw 5 years ago
I've done this with a hair dryer... but you have to be careful not to melt the hair dryer
#21
Use A Fishing Rod To Teach Your Son Baseball
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
No more accidentally hitting dad in the crown jewels with the bat or the ball.
#22
We Needed To Disassemble A Shelf In An Office And We Didn’t Have A Mallet. Rubber Bands + Hammer = Mallet
#23
Silent Killer Mkii
#24
Came Across This Picture And Wanted To Share
#25
*Beep Beep*
#26
When Covid Requires Separate Climate Control In An Auto, What Can You Do?
#27
Grandpa: 1 Trash Panda: 0
#28
Redneck Security System
wandile dludlu 5 years ago
South Africa every day... we also have contraptions for the steering wheel and also the pedals
#29
That'll Do For Now, He Said. That Was 4 Years Ago
#30
My Life Has Been A Lie
#31
Gotta Love Uhaul
#32
Bought A Used Toy For My Kids At A Garage Sale. I Guess They Didn’t Have Any C Batteries. But They Did Have An Aa Battery And A Wood Dowel Though
#33
This Is Why We Have The 2nd Amendment. So People Can Do This
#34
Ran Out Of Washers So Drilled Through Some Pennies
#35
Installed My Anti-Tailgater Device Today... Now I Just Need To Find Something For Folks Who Cut Me Off...
Chris Kane 5 years ago
Oh! I just figured it out, took me a minute. So if someone is tailgating they will see the wrench, think it's unsecured and back off.
#36
Are Russians The Rednecks Of Europe?
#37
50 Bucks Ain’t Too Bad. Just Gotta Watch The Toes
#38
Flex Seal Can Do Anything
#39
Need To Relocate Your Switch?
#40
Text Means "Emergency Stop"
Kari Panda 5 years ago (edited)
Wow... We have laws against such stuff and various instances who regularly check the safety standards. If any of those see this, s**t hits the fan.
In the world of unconventional solutions, 'Redneck Engineering' embraces improvisation and resourcefulness. While some might view these hacks as impractical, they offer a fresh perspective on problem-solving.
Similarly, exploring unconventional methods can offer unique insights, as seen in the concept of unethical hacks that challenge traditional norms of navigation through life.
#41
The Ultimate Redneck Engineering From Russia
#42
I'll Just Knock, Thanks
#43
No Foundation? No Problem...
#44
When The Crap Gets Clumping, You Get Jumping!
#45
Not Stupid If It Works
#46
Where Can I Get One!
#47
Engineering Level: Redneck
#48
The Wife And I Were Tearing Down A Wall And Saw This And Found This Sub Appropriate As Hell, An iPhone 5 Box Being Used As A Fan Control Holder! Yet Completely Drywalled So You Couldn’t Tell!
#49
So There Was A Hole In The Window And This Is How Our School Decided To Fix It
#50
Failed To Realize There Was No Shower Rod When I Was Moving In, But The Show Must Go On
#51
Next Level Lawnmowing
#52
I Got A Heated Pool Now. Yup
#53
Our Hose Broke At Work But Luckily We Got A Redneck In The Kitchen
#54
The Way My In Laws Fixed Their Garbage Can
#55
This Van Blessed Me With Its Presence At My Place Of Work 2 Years Ago Today
#56
Fixed Hole In My Exhaust With A Baked Bean Tin (Was Quoted More Than The Car Was Worth)
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
I've done the same thing using flex pipe. If it's tight enough to create a seal, it will pass inspection in Virginia.
#57
Innovative
#58
A Hot Water Tap In Vietnam
#59
Hand-Drilled Speaker Grill In An Elevator In A Newly Built $100m Building
#60
Broke My Spray Bottle Trigger, Turns Out A .223 Bullet Casing Fits Perfectly
#61
I Guess The Dryer Relay Went Bad, It Runs When Pushing Start, It Doesn’t Stay Running. I Fixed It, Just Didn’t Repair It Yet
Anna McHugh 5 years ago
I like the distinction between 'fix' and 'repair'. It's one my ex-husband used many times. And eventually one I used on him, which is why he's an ex-husband :)
#62
This Is How My Friend’s Apartment Maintenance Man Decided To Hang The Clothes Rack
Steve Barnett 5 years ago
I don't profess to be that good at DYI, but at least I make the effort. Okay, it looks like it does the job, but still.
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What do you think ?
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Grow up poor. You make do or do without. Mock at your own peril. Assume at your own peril, as well. I've seen crazy-as-eff hacks in more than one nation. Also, ti's not just about money. Sometimes it's about "need it to work until I *can* replace it after I'm off the clock and finish the laundry and feed my kids and can get to the place that has them..."
Junebugjump! 5 years ago
Poverty should never be mocked. For the most part the ingeniousness is being honored.
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Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
In NZ we refer to 'redneck engineering' as 'No.8 wire ingenuity ' (No.8 wire was/is a common fencing wire, handy for a lot of quick farm fixes I guess, probably how we got the term)
Susan Egan 5 years ago
My dad was an engineer. He would say if someone else can fix this, why can't I? We never paid for a repairman. If a specific tool was needed, he'd make it with what we had. Since I was his "helper" from the time I was little, I've had the same feeling. I maybe the only woman in the auto parts store or the tool area of a Lowes but we have saved a lot of money doing things ourselves, plumbing, patching, electric wiring, painting, minor car repairs (used to have VW, Dad and I pulled the engine 3x's) if it's on YouTube or I can find a manual I'll give it a try. The only time I worry looking at some of these repairs is if they look unsafe. Some risks aren't worth it. Be safe.
AnnieLaurie Burke 5 years ago
Many of these are not unsafe, and show an amazing ingenuity. How do people think many of the slick, mass-produced tools we have today got invented?
Jenifer Riggs 5 years ago (edited)
Why is it called Redneck Engineering? From what I see you don't have to be a Redneck to come up with this kind of stuff.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Grow up poor. You make do or do without. Mock at your own peril. Assume at your own peril, as well. I've seen crazy-as-eff hacks in more than one nation. Also, ti's not just about money. Sometimes it's about "need it to work until I *can* replace it after I'm off the clock and finish the laundry and feed my kids and can get to the place that has them..."
Junebugjump! 5 years ago
Poverty should never be mocked. For the most part the ingeniousness is being honored.
Load More Replies... Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
In NZ we refer to 'redneck engineering' as 'No.8 wire ingenuity ' (No.8 wire was/is a common fencing wire, handy for a lot of quick farm fixes I guess, probably how we got the term)
Susan Egan 5 years ago
My dad was an engineer. He would say if someone else can fix this, why can't I? We never paid for a repairman. If a specific tool was needed, he'd make it with what we had. Since I was his "helper" from the time I was little, I've had the same feeling. I maybe the only woman in the auto parts store or the tool area of a Lowes but we have saved a lot of money doing things ourselves, plumbing, patching, electric wiring, painting, minor car repairs (used to have VW, Dad and I pulled the engine 3x's) if it's on YouTube or I can find a manual I'll give it a try. The only time I worry looking at some of these repairs is if they look unsafe. Some risks aren't worth it. Be safe.
AnnieLaurie Burke 5 years ago
Many of these are not unsafe, and show an amazing ingenuity. How do people think many of the slick, mass-produced tools we have today got invented?
Jenifer Riggs 5 years ago (edited)
Why is it called Redneck Engineering? From what I see you don't have to be a Redneck to come up with this kind of stuff.
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