Build Your Own Gear Resources
 

Here is a nice resource for building your own gear. It's a backpacking website but it work very well for touring since much of the gear is the same. Home built alcohol stoves, homemade LED lights, tents, sleeping bags, etc. Have fun. I'm thinking of building the LED lights.

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

As a long time hiker/camper, Ive tried more than a few of these things--they work and are fun to build and use. The only exception is that I purchased an aviators flashlight with 4 leds and will stay on for nearly 300 hours on 2AA batts. Cant build one like that, but the other things are a good way to learn and wont dent the wallet so bad. Good link!

The Sgt Rock alcohol stove is a winner. Almost weightless, almost foolproof, nothing to wear out or clog. I built one and combined with the pot cozy cooks dinner with very little fuel.

Alcohol stoves are so simple, in a pinch you can cook simply by cutting a soda can down to about 1 inch tall, add a little alcohol and light. Good enough to boil water and with a little boiled water you can make instant rice, mashed potatoes, pasta if you have a cozy (or a lot of fuel), oatmeal, etc.