don't know how to open a container

[+thistleRacers]

We found a fairly new cache on Saturday. The container was something I had never seen before, but looked manufactured not home made. It is a micro...a small stainless steel cylinder with what looks like screw tops on both ends, but they are connected with 2 rods on opposite sides of the cylinder. One end was a magnet. If I had any idea how to open this, I would have got a tool out and used a little force, but I was worried, since I wasn't certain I didn't want to break it. I wrote to the Cache owner, but he hasn't written back yet, so I thought I'd bring it to the forum. (and no we did not log it as a find...I did post a note telling the story though...)

 

Can anyone tell me what kind of container it is so I can look it up? Wish I had snapped a photo of it.

Edited February 14, 2011 by thistleRacers

[GOF and Bacall]

Something like this?

 

Edited February 14, 2011 by GOF and Bacall

[+StarBrand]

Sounds like match container I once saw - they are kind of tricky. Pull one side and swing away.

 

(edit: see photo above - hehe - a few minutesw too late)

Edited February 14, 2011 by StarBrand

[+thistleRacers]

Something like this?

 

yep! That's it....never saw one before.

Now that I have, I can more confidently go back and open it with a little force...thanks Gof!

[GOF and Bacall]

No problem. The inner barrel rotates to loosen the end cap on the "legs".

[GOF and Bacall]

There was even a thread very recently about one that was destroyed by someone who pried it open.

[+thistleRacers]

Sounds like match container I once saw - they are kind of tricky. Pull one side and swing away.

 

(edit: see photo above - hehe - a few minutesw too late)

It is missing the little handle, that might be why others have said it is hard to open...the handle would make it easier to pull the one side down...

[GOF and Bacall]

The handle should not matter. It is there more as a way to fasten it to a pack or belt. That part does not pull down. The inner barrel rotates. The outer frame is held stationary.

[+thistleRacers]

The handle should not matter. It is there more as a way to fasten it to a pack or belt. That part does not pull down. The inner barrel rotates. The outer frame is held stationary.

oh, okay.

[GOF and Bacall]

I have never actually found one in the wild but suspect that they make a not so great cache container. The threads probably get all full of dirt and corrosion. Take a bit of some sort of waterproof grease with you and use it SPARINGLY on the threads. It will open better for the next cacher. Unfortunately it won't help you much.

[Mr.Yuck]

Those things are whacked!! The only two I ever saw hid in my area caused major problems with people trying to open them. One got broken within the first month, and the other one I believe two FTF seekers left and went home and logged DNF's before someone who guessed what it probably was ran out for the FTF.

 

Stainless Steel? I'm not sure. I assumed them to be aluminum. Either way, a threaded metal container in the wild is asking for trouble.

[+Coldgears]

Usually I won't bother opening micro container, I'll just log them online. But, these look actually really fun to open, like it's part of the challenge, I'd totally want to try one of these.

[+BBWolf+3Pigs]

Usually I won't bother opening micro container, I'll just log them online. But, these look actually really fun to open, like it's part of the challenge, I'd totally want to try one of these.

 

So you don't sign the physical log?

[+kunarion]

Something like this?

 

yep! That's it....never saw one before.

Now that I have, I can more confidently go back and open it with a little force...thanks Gof!

I was given one of those by a friend who said "this'll make a great Geocache!" But it's missing the rubber seal, and it smells like chewing tobacco (snuff was stored in it). The tube also has a ridge that could make a rolled log sheet hard to remove. Mine is stainless steel, not great quality, though. It looks a lot cheesier than the one in the picture.

 

If you hold the threaded end and turn the barrel, you have to "unscrew" it in the wrong direction (clockwise to loosen), opposite of a bison tube or any ordinary mechanical hardware. If it's on real tight, that's how you'd have to hold it, and your first instinct to turn it, may make it tighter.

Edited February 14, 2011 by kunarion

[atari26k]

Lol, doesn't sound like these make very good finder-friendly caches... Glad I caught the the thread so I'll know when I run into one.

[knowschad]

I remember those from my childhood. I think it was pretty much standard issue Boy Scout stuff. I've only found as a cache, and it was a good thing the log was inside of a plastic bag. They leak, they rust, and today's young whippersnappers have no idea how to open them. Leave 'em in the antique store where they belong.

[+bflentje]

Usually I won't bother opening micro container, I'll just log them online. But, these look actually really fun to open, like it's part of the challenge, I'd totally want to try one of these.

 

No signature, no find. I am going to check all of my micros..

[atari26k]

"today's young whippersnappers have no idea how to open them"

 

Perhaps they'll have a second life as child-proof containers

Edited February 14, 2011 by atari26k

[knowschad]

Usually I won't bother opening micro container, I'll just log them online. But, these look actually really fun to open, like it's part of the challenge, I'd totally want to try one of these.

 

No signature, no find. I am going to check all of my micros..

 

Oh oh!!!

[GOF and Bacall]

I also remember them from my youth. I've seen aluminum, and some type of coated brass alloy. As I recall they never did work very well.

[+dfx]

"today's young whippersnappers have no idea how to open them"

 

Perhaps they'll have a second life as child-proof containers

 

Cacher-proof containers is more like it

[+Thrak]

Many people just can't seem to figure out that the inner part is meant to be turned rather than the outer part. One would think the fact that the inner barrel is knurled for gripping and turning would be a big hint but........

[g_o_caching]

Ask any pot smoker you know how to open it. They were widely used for carrying their "stash". Or so I have heard. lol

[+SwineFlew]

So far I found two of them in my area. They can be hard to open once they are in the wild for a long time.

[DannyCaffeine]

There was even a thread very recently about one that was destroyed by someone who pried it open.

I fully admit to bending one. I tried to twist it and warped the legs like a gorrilla gripped it. I am so glad I didn't break it or I would have had to buy the CO a replacement.

[GOF and Bacall]

Ask any pot smoker you know how to open it. They were widely used for carrying their "stash". Or so I have heard. lol

 

Pot smokers can operate this container but not cachers. I'm not sure that speaks well of us.

[GOF and Bacall]

There was even a thread very recently about one that was destroyed by someone who pried it open.

I fully admit to bending one. I tried to twist it and warped the legs like a gorrilla gripped it. I am so glad I didn't break it or I would have had to buy the CO a replacement.

 

I guess that in the other incident a cacher actually pried it open.

[+jmw61]

Usually I won't bother opening micro container, I'll just log them online. But, these look actually really fun to open, like it's part of the challenge, I'd totally want to try one of these.

 

I'm not a fan of Micro's either, but I _do_ open and sign the log _if_ I'm going to log it online. After all that is how the "game is played".

[+Bad_Wolfe]

Up until about a week ago, We had a cacher in our area, ibwacko that holds a bit of a legacy for frustrating caches. This kinda thing would be right up his alley.

 

On an unrelated note, if you happen to live in the Tampa, Florida area, be ready for headaches...