Book Cache

[Team Northwoods]

I want to place a book cache. Ladysmith first grade has donated some books to me. I have the place all picked out since last fall so it would be easy for younger kids to get to and exchange kids books. Also this should help introduce geocaching to a younger audience. The only problem I am having is finding the right container. I looked at Mortar boxes which are nice and big but they say they are not waterproof. Any suggestions for a fairly large cache box that is waterproof but isn’t an eyesore and can be somewhat hidden? Not to expensive either!

Thank you.

***Opinions expressed are mine alone and will change based upon new information. ***

[Mister Greenthumb]

No matter what you use you should still put the books in a plastic bag. How about a cooler. Most close tightly and will keep water out. I watch for ones that will make a nice cache container at rummage sales. You can match the size to the size of the books.

[kc9gbo]

I have a huger ammo can out in my yard currently, it sat there all winter and is still dry even after me blowing tons of snow on it. And no it isn’t a cache yet, just waiting for better weather to activate it.(and the kids to clean the yard..) Back on topic, I’ll check later to see what size it is.

[Northwoods Tom]

There are several caches which I have seen that are, CD exchanges, book exchanges, you get it…, big bulky items. They were in 5 gallon pails. They worked very well and aren’t that difficult to camo if you like. If you check around, you may even find the type which have a seal with the locking type mechanism.

A lot of bakeries, food service places and the likes give them away for free or darn close.

[Team Northwoods]

Thank you for the ideas so far if any other ideas are out there please let me know. The only things I could come up with, after the mortar box idea failed, was pails and and some type bin but not sure what to use to or way to help keep water out of them and make them accessible. I am planning on placing the books in plastic bags. Any information or experiences would be appreciated.

***Opinions expressed are mine alone and will change based upon new information. ***

[Mister Greenthumb]

Every 5 gallon pail that I have found was wet inside. No one ever puts the cover back on right.

[kc9gbo]

I have the 20mm ammo can as shown on this page:
http://www.ammocans.net/ large enough to put books in.

[LostBoys5]

Can’t wait to search out this one. I am sure we have a cooler you could have if you decide to go that route. It all depends on people taking care when they put things back…

[Northwoods Tom]

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

Every 5 gallon pail that I have found was wet inside. No one ever puts the cover back on right.

Every pail I have found up north was completely dry… Must have something to do with fewer caches up north so we savor the experience longer… Not in a rush to get to the next cache miles down the road. 😯 The screw on top lid pails seem to be the way to go.

[Mister Greenthumb]

@Northwoods Tom wrote:

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

Every 5 gallon pail that I have found was wet inside. No one ever puts the cover back on right.

Every pail I have found up north was completely dry… Must have something to do with fewer caches up north so we savor the experience longer… Not in a rush to get to the next cache miles down the road. 😯 The screw on top lid pails seem to be the way to go.

Good observation. It’s not unusual in SE WI where the cache density is high to find caches poorly put back together and hidden. The reason that you state is probably true in many cases.

[cheezehead]

The 2 book caches up this way are the big ammo cans that you can get at most Army Navy surplus store. I bought one for around $20. I use a large rubbermaid garbage with a self locking lid. A couple of rubber stubber to help keep it on just in case.

[zuma]

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

@Northwoods Tom wrote:

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

Every 5 gallon pail that I have found was wet inside. No one ever puts the cover back on right.

Every pail I have found up north was completely dry… Must have something to do with fewer caches up north so we savor the experience longer… Not in a rush to get to the next cache miles down the road. 😯 The screw on top lid pails seem to be the way to go.

Good observation. It’s not unusual in SE WI where the cache density is high to find caches poorly put back together and hidden. The reason that you state is probably true in many cases.

I dont want to completely sidetrack your thread, but having cached a lot up north, as well as down south, I have to say that sadly you are both pretty correct.

Pretty sad to be in so much in a rush for a meaningless number that you cannot even take 10 extra seconds to put a cache back correctly.

Twice last year I found an easy peasy cache near me that I own (and use to place TBs in) left half open by cachers on a numbers frenzy. How hard it is to close an ammo box?

And back to the thread, I have found a number of book exchange caches, and the large ammo boxes are good for this.

zuma

[JimandLinda]

The Seton TB Hotel in Neenah is a 5 gallon pail, with a screw on top. They also screwed a slice of wood about 4″ thick to the lid, so it takes some effort to put the top on/off correctly. Also makes good camo! It was always dry the many times we traded trackables there. They did use ziplock bags, to keep the swag and trackables seperate.

Seemed to work for them!

[seldom|seen]

@zuma wrote:

Pretty sad to be in so much in a rush for a meaningless number that you cannot even take 10 extra seconds to put a cache back correctly.

Twice last year I found an easy peasy cache near me that I own (and use to place TBs in) left half open by cachers on a numbers frenzy. How hard it is to close an ammo box?

zuma

Completely concur. Even an ammo can lid can slide a little from it’s funny-seated slot and jeopardize the seal or have a little debris stuck in its rubber gasket and be forced ajar even when locked shut. Ammo cans are wonderful, but only if cachers make a conscience effort to inspect the seal and fit before closing.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come across wet ammo can contents, including my own, because of quick or careless replacement. This is probably one of my biggest peeves in the sport and I don’t think it is always about numbers either. The inherent nature of being stealthy and moving quickly plays a major factor in it as well. Any time a cache location is in muggle prone or muggle visible territory, you can expect some issues with careful replacement of caches.

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