I'm also a fan of scavenged and re-purposed gear, partly for environmental reasons and partly because I'm a habitual cheapskate. :-)

I highly recommend the book Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland. He has the same attitude, and the book is full of useful tips: cheap water bottles, DIY alcohol stoves, mini-Bic lighters, lightweight food from the grocery store, razor blade instead of pocketknife, etc.