Bolt Cache Containers

[+kywaterfowler]

I was thinking about trying to make some bolt style cache containers and I would like to know who has tried to make them and what are the best ways to make them.

[+The Cache Checkers]

I have seen some for sale, but I have no idea how to make one. I just wanted to say that every time I'm out looking for a micro and bolts are in the area, I'm pulling and twisting them all in hopes I'll find my first bolt cache! LOL

 

Good luck in making one.

[+SSO JOAT]

You'll need a lathe, taps, dies, welder, and possibly a milling machine depending on how you'll go about it. After you have all those things and know how to use them, the construction will be stupid-simple.

[+Wooden Cyclist]

You'll need a lathe, taps, dies, welder, and possibly a milling machine depending on how you'll go about it. After you have all those things and know how to use them, the construction will be stupid-simple.

 

 

It can also be done with a hacksaw and a drill.

[+reddeeps]

We made one, drilled it out.

[+moparots]

Drill press.

[+Too Tall John]

If you get the right size, a set screw works really well, no drilling needed. There's an Allen Wrench fitting the log will slide right into. Check these out in a hardware store to make sure the fitting is deep enough for your needs.

Epoxy a rare earth magnet into the matching nut, and you're there.

[born2fish1987]

I was thinking about trying to make some bolt style cache containers and I would like to know who has tried to make them and what are the best ways to make them.

 

cut the last half inch off the bolt your gonna use, thread it halfway into the nut and jb weld it, drill the hole in the cut side of the bolt, don't go to big with the counter bore just deep enough to hold the log, thread the other side on, bam! bolt cache lathe would be best, but a hack saw and drill would totally work

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

You can save yourself a lot of effort and just buy one! http://www.crazycaches.com/bolt-caches-c-2.html

[+moose61]

Be carefull the weather conditions don't make the logbook wet. It will be difficult to make it watertight. A "Rite in The Rain" Logsheet might be convenient.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

First get a large bolt.

 

I cut it in half about in the middle of the threads.

 

I drill the bolt so a bison will fit inside.

 

I take a nut , abbly locktite, and screw halfway on the undrilled bolt section.

 

Let locktite set up, insert bison w/ log and assemble.

[+sbell111]

First get a large bolt.

 

I cut it in half about in the middle of the threads.

 

I drill the bolt so a bison will fit inside.

 

I take a nut , abbly locktite, and screw halfway on the undrilled bolt section.

 

Let locktite set up, insert bison w/ log and assemble.

Two addenda.

 

First, screw the nut onto the bolt prior to cutting it. Once it has been cut, unscrew the nut. This will clean up the threads a bit.

 

Second, you will need to do something to help the container be watertight. Cutting a rubber circle and gluing it into the nut/cut bolt assembly is probably the easiest and best way.

[+DragonsWest]

Biggest gripe I have on Bolt caches is they tiny amount of space for a log. Worse if you have to bag it to keep it dry.

 

I recommend looking in toy stores for plastic construction toys, which are usually hollow and afford a lot more room. Add some spray paint to give it a rusty look and you're set.

 

Here are some intended for bird to play with.

 

http://www.parrotasylum.com/catalog/item/4831096/4872055.htm

[+Too Tall John]

Second, you will need to do something to help the container be watertight. Cutting a rubber circle and gluing it into the nut/cut bolt assembly is probably the easiest and best way.

Your local hardware store will have rubber gaskets in enough sizes that you can probably buy one the proper size to fit snugly inside the nut & do exactly that.

 

Your way will probably be less expensive.

[+Too Tall John]

Biggest gripe I have on Bolt caches is they tiny amount of space for a log. Worse if you have to bag it to keep it dry.

 

I recommend looking in toy stores for plastic construction toys, which are usually hollow and afford a lot more room. Add some spray paint to give it a rusty look and you're set.

 

Here are some intended for bird to play with.

 

http://www.parrotasylum.com/catalog/item/4831096/4872055.htm

Very interesting. Can you request which shapes you get?

[+Knight2000]

-Don't weld it. That will stick out and give it away. Use an adhesive like JB Weld.

 

-Don't worry about water or moisture. Just use a log that is impervious to water. I use Tyvek log sheets for sensitive logs. You can also buy the Rite in the Rain stuff although I have never tried it.

[+Vater_Araignee]

-Don't weld it. That will stick out and give it away. Use an adhesive like JB Weld.

 

-Don't worry about water or moisture. Just use a log that is impervious to water. I use Tyvek log sheets for sensitive logs. You can also buy the Rite in the Rain stuff although I have never tried it.

Or weld it and file it flat.

<--- has made fake bolt heads for escape artists.

[+sbell111]

I've never been satisfied with the "don't worry if it gets wet, just use tyvek" responses. I think of tyvek and other 'waterproof' papers as more of a second line of defense. Keeping the water out of the cache is still of primary importance.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

If you really want your bolt cache to be evil don't use a shiny new bolt; stop by any machine shop and they will likely have some old rusted ones that they will cut and drill out for you for a few bucks.

[+9Key]

The few bolt caches I've found have had ragged wet logs. Maybe one of the above responses results in a waterproof container.

[+Too Tall John]

The few bolt caches I've found have had ragged wet logs. Maybe one of the above responses results in a waterproof container.

How about these two:

...you will need to do something to help the container be watertight. Cutting a rubber circle and gluing it into the nut/cut bolt assembly is probably the easiest and best way.

Your local hardware store will have rubber gaskets in enough sizes that you can probably buy one the proper size to fit snugly inside the nut & do exactly that.

[+Knight2000]

I've never been satisfied with the "don't worry if it gets wet, just use tyvek" responses. I think of tyvek and other 'waterproof' papers as more of a second line of defense. Keeping the water out of the cache is still of primary importance.

I'm not sure about other waterproof papers.

 

You can soak Tyvek and it will dry without harm. You can constantly keep it wet and it won't affect it at all. I have used it for two of my caches that are sensitive micros. I have had lots of finds and no problems with the logs. Some have commented that it is soaked, but it doesn't hurt it.

 

Ideally you want to have a dry cache log. But in an instance of having a sensitive cache like a bolt cache, a waterproof log would be great. Besides, how many containers really keep the logs dry? It will get wet from people taking it out. It will be raining or snowy sometime and it will get wet. Then the moisture just stays in the log.

[+ChaseOnTheGo]

Nut & Bolt Cache - GeocachingStuff.com

 

$10 per 2. Free Shipping!

Edited March 27, 2010 by ChaseOnTheGo