Help me find a container

August 28, 2024 12:28 PM

I love storing certain tiny things in Altoids tins, but I have one item that's too big. I'm looking for a cheap plastic or metal container that is 3.5cm to 4cm tall, wider than 4cm, and at least 8cm long. If it's some sort of candy container (or something really cheap) that would be great! An Altoids tin that's twice as tall would work well, if it existed. Any ideas?
posted by 2oh1 to Grab Bag (12 answers total)

Best answer: The sort of box they use to keep business cards in
posted by biffa at 12:36 PM on August 28

Best answer: Fossil watch tins are decorative, have nice friction lids, and you can buy them online. I have one that measures 8.5cm square by 5cm tall -- might be slightly too tall for your usage but super great for storing little bits.
posted by Sauce Trough at 12:48 PM on August 28 [2 favorites]

cigarette case?
posted by wenestvedt at 1:33 PM on August 28

Is that the maximum height you are willing to have? If it can be a little taller, pencil boxes might be an option. The Outside Dimensions of this one are: 8 3/8" x 5 5/8" x 2 1/8
posted by belladonna at 1:35 PM on August 28 [1 favorite]

Altoids did briefly come in a huge novelty tin.
posted by potrzebie at 1:40 PM on August 28 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: "Is that the maximum height you are willing to have?"

Taller is fine. I'm just trying to keep it as close as possible to the size I need, for saving space.


"Fossil watch tins are decorative, have nice friction lids"

Oh, you've sent me down a rabbit hole now! Those are a bit bigger than I want, but I'm really tempted since they have a standard size & they're easy to get on ebay. That could be good!
posted by 2oh1 at 2:11 PM on August 28 [3 favorites]

A looseleaf tea tin might work nicely for this. And you can find them pretty easily at your local supermarket or specialty grocer for $6 or so.
posted by AgentRocket at 2:51 PM on August 28 [1 favorite]

You can use an online box generator to design exactly what you want. Then bring it to a place with a laser cutter. That could be a library, or makerspace, or a Fablab with community hours.
posted by Sophont at 3:22 PM on August 28

This box might work:
https://a.co/d/hdHMUH9

Or this one:
https://a.co/d/gecA5E0
posted by Kriesa at 4:54 PM on August 28

Staples sells a plastic box that could work for you, and it's $1.73usd.
posted by SteveInMaine at 6:50 PM on August 28

I've seen CountyComm sell a larger version of the Altoid Tin.
posted by kschang at 8:31 PM on August 28

A lot of bandages still come in tins, it might be worth bringing the item you want to stash to the bandage aisle of a local store.
posted by advicepig at 7:15 AM on August 29 [1 favorite]