Using Altoid tins and solid ice to make neat little cases for electronics projects

Altoid tins make great cases and chassis for electronics and ham radio projects but they are hard to cut as the metal tends to tear easily.
In this instructable a simple way is shown on handling these altoid tins.
The approach is to freeze water in the tin, and then do the cutting and drilling. The ice supports the metal resulting in perfect cuts.

These instructions were originally posted by me on http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Altoid-Tins-As-Cases-for-Electronics

Step 1 Freeze and cut

1) Empty and clean an altoids tin.
2) Fill with water and place it in the freezer overnight.
3) Next day you will have a tin with solidly frozen ice. Moisten your cutting pattern (printed or hand-drawn paper) and place it on the bottom of the can. The paper will instantly stick to the can!
4) Use the paper pattern to cut the metal with a chisel or to drill holes with a drill. The ice will support the thin metal and prevent it from buckling or bending.
5) If necessary place the can in the freezer again if the ice starts melting. The ice block in the can be seen in the image through the rectangular cut.
6) Once you have all the holes cut, place the can in warm water to melt and remove the ice. File/sand any rough edges.

Comments

[brittain123]

wouldent it rust the tin

[apfeffer]

This is just the sort of information I was looking for. Thank you!

[Jae the philosopher]

Please stop posting these useless ideas. It makes you seem desperate for subscribers.

[Cubie2]

I thought it was a great idea. I thought it could have had a project to go with it but I'm glad this was posted because honestly I SUCK at cutting out holes in altoid tins.

[Jae the philosopher]

You could try something out of the box.

[Cubie2]

well it can't come out of the box unless we cut a hole IN the box- and that's kinda what this instructable's all about. ;)

[hominid]

Very lateral >>> !

[ian25]

Very creative idea. Previously I had some denting when I was drilling it. 5/5 stars!

[ultrauber]

the ice sounds good, but doesn't that make the tin rust?

[Kill17777]

not exactly, is somewhat does, but a thing called oxidation plays a key role to.

[raykholo]

genius!!!!

[Bran]

What's with the funky pictures? :S

[ledzep567]

i think he had odd stuff in the background so he opened with illustrator or something similar and erased the background.

[GorillazMiko]

yours is too good, but i just use the cases for resistors, leds, or whatever. yours is really better than mine

[tyeo098]

The ice thing is pretty cool +1!