Are Altoids Tins Waterproof?

[ghostwriter13]

are any other candy containers water and wetherproof?

[+Renegade Knight]

Altoids tin... Not at all waterproof.

 

Others vary but none are watertight. It's best to use them where they won't be exposed to rain.

[+Seay me]

I think the best candy container for a cache would be the mini M&M's container. They are about 4 inches or so long and about an inch in diameter with an attached flip top lid that snaps down pretty tight. I'm not sure, however, if it is watertight.

 

[+DaveA]

There is no such thing as a watertight container with a snap on lid, period.

 

To get waterproofness the container must have a seal of some sort as well as a locking mechanism that ensures the lid is always pressed tightly to the seal.

 

Ammo cans have a lid with a rubber gasket. The rubber presses against metal to form a seal. Ammo cans also have a locking mechanism which ensures the seal and metal are pressed firmly together. For this reason ammo cans are the cache container of preference.

 

Without the seal and locking mechanism, it isn't waterproof.

 

Containers with screw on (as opposed to snap on) lids are superior because the threads for the lid provide multiple 'layers'. To be waterproof though they still need a seal/gasket of some sort.

[+Seay me]

There is no such thing as a watertight container with a snap on lid, period.

 

To get waterproofness the container must have a seal of some sort as well as a locking mechanism that ensures the lid is always pressed tightly to the seal.

 

Ammo cans have a lid with a rubber gasket. The rubber presses against metal to form a seal. Ammo cans also have a locking mechanism which ensures the seal and metal are pressed firmly together. For this reason ammo cans are the cache container of preference.

 

Without the seal and locking mechanism, it isn't waterproof.

 

Containers with screw on (as opposed to snap on) lids are superior because the threads for the lid provide multiple 'layers'. To be waterproof though they still need a seal/gasket of some sort.

Like I said, I wasn't sure. Thanks for the explaination/clarification.

[+The Leprechauns]

In my experience, the standard Altoids tins with the hinged tops are not waterproof, but with a good coat of primer and then spray paint, the seal is tighter because of the extra thickness. That seems to help.

 

More watertight are the round Altoids tins, for the little candies, not the mints. I have one cache along a riverfront path that is prone to flooding. It has survived two complete immersions in the waters of the Allegheny River without getting more than a few droplets of water inside. The log sheet stayed completely dry in a small baggie! After that field test I will be using the round tins a lot more.... no more film canisters!

[+Milbank]

Are Altoids Tins Waterproof?

 

No, but I would guess you already know that by now.

 

I have had preaty good luck with the M&M containers.

 

How about pill bottles?

[TahoeJoe]

Ammo cans are the only container I’ve that keeps contents dry in all types of weather.

[+Colorado Cacher]

Why is it that everytime I see, hear Altoids all I think of is Hikerron?

[+Prime Suspect]

You also have to consider the cache placement. Something that is, for example, attached to the back of a sign, doesn't have to be waterproof, only rain-proof. There is difference.

[+as77]

Altoids tins have visible, wide holes at the hinge. I wouldn't even rate them as rainproof. Besides, they can rust, too, and that is not a pretty sight. For attachment to the back of a sign, underside of a railguard, etc., a magnetic keyholder is a better choice: usually almost waterproof (but certainly rainproof) and doesn't rust.

[+rusty_tlc]

The small pipe tobbacco tins work. I have some left from when I smoked, I've used them for years to keep things dry.

[+mrking]

No, but you can do this with them...

 

Altoid MP3 Case

[+MountainMudbug]

I had an altoid tin cache magnetized to the back of a guardrail. It stayed leak-free as far as I know.

 

I sanded the outside and inside of the tin, then sprayed outside and inside with rust-proof primer (not too much on the hinges), then sponge-painted with acrylics for camo, and finally sprayed a clear sealer on it.

 

Inside the tin, the logbook was in a tiny ziploc and it never got damp.

[+Pork King]

The small pipe tobbacco tins work. I have some left from when I smoked, I've used them for years to keep things dry.

tins, tobacco...cookie, whatever, are not so good at withstanding repeated openin and closing. After awhile of prying the lid off and putting it back on, the tin begins to bend a little, and therefore lose much of the water retardant ability that it had.

[+Q2XL]

As the others have stated...for most applications an Altoid tin will leak. As a side note...unless these are all urban micros...using old candy,food,tobacco containers will attract bears which will make your cache have a really bad day.

 

At least where I live (N WI USA) Good Luck.

[+Thot]

I think the best candy container for a cache would be the mini M&M's container.  They are about 4 inches or so long and about an inch in diameter with an attached flip top lid that snaps down pretty tight.  I'm not sure, however, if it is watertight.

 

I submerged one of these overnight with about an inch of water above the container. It did not leak.

Edited February 2, 2005 by Thot

[+rusty_tlc]

The small pipe tobbacco tins work.  I have some left from when I smoked, I've used them for years to keep things dry.

tins, tobacco...cookie, whatever, are not so good at withstanding repeated openin and closing. After awhile of prying the lid off and putting it back on, the tin begins to bend a little, and therefore lose much of the water retardant ability that it had.

Tobbaco tins are different. I have one I've used for years as a ultra light tackle box. They have a dense foam gasket that compresses, at least the Erinmore flake tins do any way.

[+Joe Smith]

 

How about pill bottles?

depends,

 

the types with the "child safe" lids, which surprisingly are not, all that safe will let in allot of moisture in the elements. If your local drug store has them, get the kind with a "snap on" lid that creates a good seal around the container.

 

We use the bottles to pre mix the supplements for the horses and they really do keep them dry. The other lids allowed allot of moisture in and the powders would be soggy.

 

 

On my latest cache I took a pill bottle and created a silicone gasket on the inside with RTV silicone, watered down and placed in the lip of the lid with a syringe and large gauge needle. It is just added insurance but I'm not sure I would do it again

 

Joe Smith