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Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Jun 1, 2005 9:37am
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I'm planning a series of stamps that I think will have to be microboxes. It'll be a challenge, because I love carving big! :o)

What does one USE for microboxes? I've heard of filmcanisters, which I don't have around anymore (35mm film? What's that? LOL).

Thanks for any advice! The only thing I can think of is to use acrylic paint plastic "bottles".  But I think to get the stamp and logbook out would be impossible.

Any suggestions? I'm new to letterboxing and haven't been 'around much' so I'm kind of flying blind here, LOL.

Trailhoundz

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 1, 2005 10:08am
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What does one USE for microboxes? I've heard of filmcanisters, which I don't have around anymore (35mm film? What's that? LOL).

A boxer around here I know gets 35 mm film canisters from a camera supply store just for asking. 

I have had good luck with getting surplus containers from American Science & Surplus www.sciplus.com (please just ignore the commercial plug if you're against that sort of thing).  They have small plastic containers of various kinds, depending on what they have around.  I bought some film containers that I don't see now and I also have used the baby blue ones they have now--they're like film containers, but they have a screw on lid.  I think these are better camo-taped, because bright blue is hard to disguise!  Read the descriptions carefully, sometimes it's hard to tell how big the containers are.  But you can't beat the prices.

Dewberry

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 1, 2005 10:47am
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Hi there Trailhoundz,

Film canisters can be gotten for free, as mentioned by Dewberry. I have ran across everything from film canisters, Altoids tins, very small baby-food sized rubbermaid containers, travel-sized soap, toothbrush, and shampoo containers, ect. The variety is limitless. I prefer the film canisters because I can get them from my local CVS drug store for free. I asked the people that handle the film development to hang on to them for me and they do. They also come in handy for holding Speedball blades, beads, needles, and many other little things I use for letterboxing. Good luck finding something that works for you.

Liz of Penguin Patrol

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 1, 2005 12:46pm
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I sent out a HH recently in a small spice jar. it was about 1 1/2 tall and about an inch wide. i glued the stamp to the inside cover. I also recently planted a box...if you will.... in a parm cheese plasic cantainer. i  glued the top all shut  and taped it so you can only unscrew it to get into it.

i'm always looking at any kind of container different. since i've been boxing lol

-CCL

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4590 by CapeCodLetterboxer
Jun 1, 2005 1:27pm
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if you have a craft store, check their beading section. I found small white snap on lidded containers about two/thirds as tall as a 35 mm film caniser and not much wider there for about .10 a piece.

Maiden

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 1, 2005 1:39pm
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Quote:  I'm planning a series of stamps that I think will have to be microboxes.

The Pine 4 You series in Wilmington NC has the first 3 stamps in the 35 mm film canisters (stamp only).  The 4th stamp is in a larger tupperware with the log book.  You don't stamp in until the last box.  That may be an option.

Weyrwoman

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4593 by Weyrwoman
Jun 1, 2005 1:44pm
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As someone mentioned before, you can get 35mm film canisters from just about any 1hr photo processing place.  They are supposed to save them for recycling anyway.  We get them from our local Wal Mart all the time for school projects.

bzmom

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4592 by Maiden
Jun 1, 2005 6:32pm
Thread (disabled) Board
College Book stores ALWAYS have something too.
Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4605 by WINK
Jun 2, 2005 9:49am
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Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!!! I LOVE the idea of hiding stamps in film canisters and then having a regular container with the logbook at the end. I'll see if any of the drugstores up here in CNY can give me some extras, LOL.

Thanks ya'll!!

~Trailhoundz

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 3, 2005 6:47pm
Thread (disabled) Board
What does one USE for microboxes?

We've been away for a few days so I'm chiming in late on this one. 

I use 50 ML clear centrifuge tubes, about the size of two film cannisters set end to end.  They're good in temps between
-70º to +212º, waterproof as long as the cap is screwed on tight (you can even boil them if you want).  Considering their size, they hold a decent sized rolled logbook and stamp.  I've had some out for almost 2 years now and the only serious problems discovered were: heavy weights can crack them, and, if something gets into the cap threading like a pine needle, it will prevent the cap from closing completely and water will get in.  The pine needle in the cap happened only once when I did a box check in fall, and by spring the tube was full of water.  The polypropylene tubes will crack when covered by heavy chunks of cement or piles of rocks, then moisture gets in.

You should be able to find places that sell them in small quantities if you google "50 ML centrifuge tubes", or you might be able to pick some up in your local college or university's bookstore (used in some biology labs and they needed 65 but had to buy a case of 500 so there's a bunch left over).  I have more information on my website at  http://www.catbeadmischief.com/microbox.html where I sell them at cost for 2/28¢ plus shipping.

Cheers,
catbead

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4627 by catbead
Jun 7, 2005 2:27pm
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I have an Altoids Cinnamon Chewing Gum container that I plan to use as soon as I finish the gub. I mean gum.

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 14, 2005 4:17am
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I've been using prescription bottles.

Peppermint Patti :)

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 14, 2005 11:47am
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I've found wonderfully tiny boxes at the Japanese dollar stores in the SF Bay area.  I can't imagine what you're supposed to store in these containers.  Maybe one nori roll?  Not all styles come with tight-fitting lids, but when they're three for a dollar, I really can't complain.

Lisascenic

Re: Microbox containers?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4582 by Trailhoundz
Jun 17, 2005 4:40am
Thread (disabled) Board

I find that 35mm microboxes can be had for free at site seeing places everywhere I go.  In picking these up 2 things happen: I am cleaning up a place, and I am supplying myself with a container. Finally, my hope some day is to locate a letterbox just by keeping an eye open!!!

phynstar