Advice On A Cache Series

[Tha Duh Feez]

I'm trying to plan a series of caches titled "Welcome To...". The idea is to place caches on the backs of the signs of the small towns, villages, & hamlets in the area. Sadly, they are all wooden signs & posts.

 

Any ideas on how I can add caches to the back of wooden signs without vandalizing them? Or should I just abandon the idea?

[+ScoutDadNC]

Look around the location. It the area landscaped. Is there bushed nearby. Just because you want to put it by the sign, does not it has to be on the sign.

 

Just some suggestions.

[+BigFurryMonster]

Work with the owner of the signs (the city or community ?). Obviously, you have their permission to put the caches on the signs. Perhaps they can advise you on this.

[+niraD]

A technique I've seen a few times is to get a piece of wood the same size as the post, only shorter. Hollow it out to hold a waterproof container. Then color-match the paint on the post and paint the piece of wood to match. Set the piece of wood on the ground next to the post. It could look something like this:

 __                   __
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |  W E L C O M E  |  |
|  |       T O       |  |
|  |  A N Y T O W N  |  |
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |__               |  |
|  |  |              |  |
|  |  |              |  |

[+Totem Clan]

You could even put one on both sides to work as a decoy and to help ward off a few muggles.

[+mlrs1996]

you could also use velcro

with a sticky side on one side and velcro on the other

then wrap the velro around the container and stick the other

side to the sign should hold it just fine...

[+The A-Team]

you could also use velcro

I thought of that too at first, but it could be considered "defacing".

[+niraD]

you could also use velcro

I thought of that too at first, but it could be considered "defacing".

One common rule of thumb for whether something is "defacing" is to determine whether anything will remain when you remove the cache, camouflage, and other related game pieces. If there would be no sign of your cache placement left, then it is not "defacing". If there would be, then it is.

 

A lot depends on how the Velcro® would be attached to the post.

[+GRANPA ALEX]

These signs usually have metal bolts for sign attachment . . . perfect for attaching magnetic nanos - have seen flat head roofing nails added for this purpose, also. No magnetics are required for a small flat plastic baggie (container) with a log that is slipped between the sign & the post . . . I have done this on seveal hides but elevate the difficulty!

[+seldon]

How long does a "small flat plastic baggie (container) with a log that is slipped between the sign & the post" last before springing a leak?

[+Dancing_Duo]

How long does a "small flat plastic baggie (container) with a log that is slipped between the sign & the post" last before springing a leak?

 

The ones we have found around here that are taped to the back of magnets almost always seem to be wet

[+emmett]

.

 

What is the perceived appeal of caches at signposts?

 

.

[+emmett]

.

 

How about a series of nice hikes, or caches placed at interesting spots?

 

.

Edited February 22, 2012 by emmett

[+paleolith]

you could also use velcro with a sticky side on one side

Anything that depends on sticky isn't going to hold for long.

 

Edward

[+jellis]

A technique I've seen a few times is to get a piece of wood the same size as the post, only shorter. Hollow it out to hold a waterproof container. Then color-match the paint on the post and paint the piece of wood to match. Set the piece of wood on the ground next to the post. It could look something like this:

 __                   __
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |  W E L C O M E  |  |
|  |       T O       |  |
|  |  A N Y T O W N  |  |
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |__               |  |
|  |  |              |  |
|  |  |              |  |

You are so smart Nirad. Too bad whoever damaged the park sign in Santa Cruz didn't think of that.

[+addisonbr]

A technique I've seen a few times is to get a piece of wood the same size as the post, only shorter. Hollow it out to hold a waterproof container. Then color-match the paint on the post and paint the piece of wood to match. Set the piece of wood on the ground next to the post. It could look something like this:

 __                   __
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |  W E L C O M E  |  |
|  |       T O       |  |
|  |  A N Y T O W N  |  |
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |__               |  |
|  |  |              |  |
|  |  |              |  |

Love the suggestion and the illustration!

[Mr.Yuck]

A technique I've seen a few times is to get a piece of wood the same size as the post, only shorter. Hollow it out to hold a waterproof container. Then color-match the paint on the post and paint the piece of wood to match. Set the piece of wood on the ground next to the post. It could look something like this:

 

Cool, ASCII Art. How about the back of the sign though, and it generally would hide you from the public driving by? Pretend my copy of niraD's art is the BACK of the sign. There are usually support members, and you can just set the aforementioned wooden block on one of the support members like I (try) to show below. Found one like that last month, although it was an interpretive bird sign, not a "welcome to" sign.

 

 __                   __
|  |_________________|  |
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |   
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |_____            |  |
|  |_____|___________|  |
|  |_________________|  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |
|  |                 |  |

[+niraD]

Yeah, it's sometimes amazing how easily an extra piece of wood or two will just blend in with structures like this.

[Tha Duh Feez]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm thinking of doing a ring clamp around the post.

[+The Jester]

.

 

How about a series of nice hikes, or caches placed at interesting spots?

 

.

To some people the Welcome sign is an interesting spot...