Here's how to make a diversion safe to store/hide small valuables or cash.
This version has a screw-off bottom, so that the whole thing can be picked up without falling apart and plaster makes it of comparable weight to its original contents to fool those that pick it up.
This version has a screw-off bottom, so that the whole thing can be picked up without falling apart and plaster makes it of comparable weight to its original contents to fool those that pick it up.
Step 1: What you'll need
Epoxy (preferably quick-setting)
Plaster of Paris
Soup can or other type of can
Small(er) plastic jar with threaded lid (with label removed for mildew resistance)
Side-cutting Can Opener (did I mention it HAS to be a side-cutting type?)
Several hundred dollars in cash
Hungarian Vizsla (optional)
Plaster of Paris
Soup can or other type of can
Small(er) plastic jar with threaded lid (with label removed for mildew resistance)
Side-cutting Can Opener (did I mention it HAS to be a side-cutting type?)
Several hundred dollars in cash
Hungarian Vizsla (optional)
Step 2: Open bottom of can
With your fancy side-cutting can opener, open the bottom of the soup can leaving the top intact and remove the newly created lid.
Step 3: Clean the can
Eat the soup, then clean out the can with hot water, but be careful not to get the label wet. Rinse off the lid and dry everything out with a paper towel.
Step 5: Attaching the internal lid to the external lid
Mix up some epoxy and put a glob on the inside of the metal lid.
Stand the small container upside down on the metal lid and center the two lids as best as possible. You can slowly spin the metal lid around to see that the small lid is aligned along the same center point as the metal lid.
Let the epoxy dry until it can be handled.
Now the plastic jar should fit in the soup can.
Stand the small container upside down on the metal lid and center the two lids as best as possible. You can slowly spin the metal lid around to see that the small lid is aligned along the same center point as the metal lid.
Let the epoxy dry until it can be handled.
Now the plastic jar should fit in the soup can.
Step 6: Adding the plaster
Mix up some Plaster of Paris. You'll only need enough to cover about an inch of the jar inside the soup can and if it's a little watery, it's easier to work with.
Pour the plaster of paris into the upside-down soup can then push the jar into the can and apply pressure so that the plaster makes good solid contact.
Wait until the plaster starts to set (2-4 mins) and unscrew the lid about a half to a full turn, then push down some more. This way when you screw down the metal lid in the future, it goes very snuggly in.
Let it sit for 20-30 minutes to solidify.
Pour the plaster of paris into the upside-down soup can then push the jar into the can and apply pressure so that the plaster makes good solid contact.
Wait until the plaster starts to set (2-4 mins) and unscrew the lid about a half to a full turn, then push down some more. This way when you screw down the metal lid in the future, it goes very snuggly in.
Let it sit for 20-30 minutes to solidify.
Step 7: Look at the Hungarian Vizsla
Look at the Hungarian Vizsla to make sure he's still interested.
Step 8: Use it
Put several hundred dollars inside and close the lid.
Let the Hungarian Vizsla inspect your work.
Let the Hungarian Vizsla inspect your work.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
I'll probably remove the food label, cover the can with card stock and put a label on it that says 'ribbon' or something like that. I'll keep it in my craft room.
It will expand past the top of the can, but can easily be cut down to size with a serrated edged knife.
1) Those are for canning. The lids are typically in two pieces.
2) They're glass.
You should secure the outer container first then find inner containers that fit inside the outer containers -- and I recommend using a plastic container on the inside. I'd be afraid to use glass anywhere in it, but I suppose it could be done.
I made one out of a can of Edge shaving cream and a couple of brown cylindrical medicine bottles. I cut the top off of one medicine bottle and the bottom off of the other and taped them together, to make one roughly twice as long -- since the shaving cream can was so tall and skinny.
Now, if you're not too proud -- and you're doing it über-cheaply -- you may find some luck rummaging through an apartment complex's dumpster or a neighborhood recycling bin. You'd be looking mostly for aerosol cans, since the soup cans would not have been opened in a way friendly to your work.
I also found some small plastic generic spice bottles on sale at the local grocery store, two-for-a-dollar sort of thing. Those worked reasonably well.
And on the bottom of any of these plastic containers, you can typically find the name of the manufacturer. Google it and contact them and see what they have -- never tried this one, but I can see how it might work.
Good luck.