The 5 Cent "Blistex" Container.

Intro: The 5 Cent "Blistex" Container.

Make a little airtight container from an empty soda/water bottle and a nickel.

STEP 1: What It Is -

A small, air-tight container.

What's it for?

You put stuff in it.

STEP 2: What You Need.

Saw
glue gun
empty soda/water bottle
Scissors
Knife or razor blade
Dremel, for touching up the saw cut
not pictured - a clothes iron is nice, but not necessary
a US 5 cent piece, otherwise known as a nickel

STEP 3: Prepping the Bottle

First, plug in the glue gun. You want the glue to be hot as possible when the time comes.

Now, use the knife to remove the little plastic strip around the bottle neck.

STEP 4: Cutting

Using your saw, cut the bottle neck at the spot that the plastic strip used to be.

STEP 5: Finish With Dremel

Here is the finished piece. I used a Dremel with the tungsten carbide tip in order to even out the saw cut. I find the easiest way to do this is to place onto a flat surface and rotate while holding the dremel bit against the piece.

I left a very slight raised "ridge." I find this makes it easier to use.

STEP 6: The Nickel

Now place the piece onto a flat surface. If you have a clothes iron, you can use it to heat up the nickel. Here comes the real magic. Put the nickel in.. It's a perfect fit!

STEP 7: Gluing

Now squeeze out a good gob of glue onto the nickel. Don't get glue on the sides of the bottle neck! This will only cause a disgraceful mess. Get it onto the hot nickel, and it will flow in an even layer. Make sure you get enough glue the first time... don't add more glue later, or it won't be an even surface.

If you mess up.. like I just did... then you can place the whole shebang on top of your overturned clothes iron at medium heat. Don't use the highest setting, like I did... I just found out that the plastic turns white when it gets too hot! :)

STEP 8: The Cap

To make the container easier to open/close, you may want to remove a little bit of the lid. I chose to remove the very edge of the lid, as it is flared out, and it is a bit obstructive.

STEP 9: Fini

Comments

[njames8]

Made one of these to store exploding air rifle pellets in !

[cody.lomas]

gatorade bottles work great just need two bottles

[pharmapre]

I best of performance to rich high level or increase the score or growth. A best awesome.

flagyl

[kjones34]

ve tried both blistex and nivea and nothing else helps me with chapped lips but blistex! :) Aquaphor works really well too for seriously dry lips, just dont know if its available here

[Mr. Smart Kid]

not blistex, carmex DUH

[hintss]

hacker friends with geek?

[sharlston]

hey could you cut it where the thread is then put 2 caps on it 1 on the bottom and 1 in the top?

[visions]

These little containers would be great for storing little seed beads in. :)

[thebluemartyr]

i saw this instructable about a year ago, and iv been using it ever since to keep pellets, small parts, and money in. one of my favorites! great idea.

[klee27x]

Thanks for the comment! It's nice of you to come back a year later for a seasoned review!

[pyro13]

My first thought after seeing this was, "awsome i gotta make one!" my second was " can anybody say stash can?"

[Dyer13]

I found a different way of creating the same thing. If you take one water bottle, and cut the bottle below the cap, right where it starts to flare out from the neck. Then take a cap from another bottle, and force it on the small piece of the water bottle you just cut off. Sometimes they screw on, sometimes you have to hammer them on. Then just twist a second cap on the thread it on. You have yourself a small container about the same size as instructed above, only no hot glue, no iron, and no 5 cents. I don't know if it is exactly airtight, but if you are actually using it for screws, etc and not some other "substances," it doesn't have to be airtight.

[retro-redux]

this is a great recycling project and would make great containers for crafters with lots of different bits and beads. If you don't want to possibly ruin your wifes iron I bet one of those lil coffee mug hot plates or even one of those potpourri crock pots could work? A question though-so after you heat it up, add the glue on the iron-do you take it off still warm or let it completely cool on the iron?

[klee27x]

No.. after the nickel is hot, just put it inside the bottle neck, on top of a flat work surface. Then squeeze out the hot melt glue onto the nickel. It will flow across the top of the nickel and onto the sides of the bottle neck.

[TheDarkNinja]

I cant believe u used a buffalo nickle for one of those. I have not seen one of those in many years!

[klee27x]

! They did a remint of the buffalo in like 2000, or something. This isn't an original buffalo nickel!

[ninjaman]

Yeah you're right... but wouldn't it be better to use a round piece of metal that isn't a nickel?

[klee27x]

Only if you have one in your pocket, and it costs less than 5 cents??

[hack124x768]

I think I'll try this, but I'm using superglue. Ill post pics in about 10 minutes. (gotta go find me a nickel!)

[hack124x768]

Note to self: Don't use superglue. I'll let you know how it works after It dries.