Introduction: Soda Bottle Secret Compartment

This is a similar idea to my other instructable, Compartment in Gatorade Bottle this time I used a soda bottle and the compartment is much bigger. This is an idea that i have had since i was a kid but i could never put it to life until now. It is a perfect place to hide things in plain sight. You can put it in the back of your refrigerator or keep it where ever you store your drinks, on a shelf in your garage in the pantry or whatever. Most people wont try to open and drink a bottle of warm soda. If you let it collect dust it will be even less appealing to prying eyes.

Step 1: Collect Your Materials

  • Bottle of soda.
  • Jar of some sort, (this was an empty container from my girlfriend's face cream).
  • Xacto Knife, (this is my girlfriends knife if you couldn't tell by the pink handle).
  • Hot Glue Gun, (I used about 4-5 glue sticks).
  • E6000 Glue

Not Pictured / Optional Materials.
  • Sand Paper (any low grit will work)
  • Dremel Rotary Tool
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Elmer's Glue / Glue Stick
  • Bamboo Skewer or Toothpick
  • Paper Towels
  • Paper Plates

Total Price: $5-10

Step 2: Drain the Bottle

First remove the label from the soda bottle, you can do this carefully using your Xacto knife, or you can try peeling it off slowly and precisely. You need the label to stay intact because you will reapply it later in order to cover the compartment in the middle. It's better to peel it that way you have extra label so you know that when you put it back on it will reach all the way around. Next make an incision in the middle of the bottle. Measure it so that it aligns with your jar. Drain the soda out of the bottle into a separate cup and save it for later you will use it again so DON'T DRINK IT. Next cut the bottle in half, this doesn't have to be perfect, just try to get a semi-straight line.

Step 3: Fill the Bottles With Soda

Fill the two halves with soda leaving room for the jars. This doesn't have to be exact but you don't want to leave too much room in the bottle or else it wont look real. Make sure when filling the top half of the bottle that you use something to hold it steady, I placed mine in a roll of tape so that it stayed even. You may find that your jar doesn't fit in the bottle perfectly, there will be some extra space unless you are very lucky. If this happens it is okay you will just have to do a little extra work.

Step 4: Hot Glue the Jar

You're pretty much going to make up the extra space between the jar and the bottle with hot glue. This is pretty simple but it will take some time. Just keep going around the jar until the jar fits snug in the bottle. It is okay if you go a little too far, in fact it's probably better that way. When you are done you can use your sand paper to sand down the lumpy edges from the hot glue. You can use a Dremel with a sanding bit, just use the lowest grit you have and put it on the slowest speed. When I did it, it didn't mess up the sanding bit at all. You can move on once the jar fits nice and snug, you should be able to place in and out of the bottle with ease.

Step 5: Glue the Jar

Apply ample amount of the E6000 glue to each piece of the jar and glue them to the bottle. This will be messy so you may want to use gloves and make sure that you have paper towels on hand. I also used a tooth pick to get the glue into all the small crevices. It is important to make sure that the jar sits even in the bottle. You can test this by placing something on the top of the jar to make sure it is level. I used a bamboo skewer to do this. For the lid of the jar it will be hard to determine if it is level because it will be completely inside the bottle. Just do your best but try to be precise it is very important. If the lid is crooked it will cause the entire bottle to be on a slant when you put the pieces together later on. Again it is wise to let this sit over night or at least 6 hours. Once you think it is done slowly test the halves for leaks, you will most likely have a few. This is no problem just add some more glue to where it is needed. You may have to do this a couple times so be patient.

Step 6: Reapply the Label

Once you are certain that there are no leaks in your jars you can put the two together. Make sure they fit nicely, some glue may have seeped over and be obstructing the lid. Remove it and make sure everything lines up evenly. If your bottle is crooked there is really nothing you can do about it at this point. Use regular Elmer's glue or a glue stick to glue the label back on. ONLY glue the label to the top portion of the bottle. If you glue it to the top and bottom you wont be able to open the jar.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Secret Compartment

Fill it with money or whatever you want and enjoy. Remember when you open it you have to put one hand on the top of the bottle and one hand on the bottom part. To be safe don't hold the bottle by the label when you are opening it, that way you don't accidentally tear off the label.