Why don't pellet tins have a screw-on lid?

melchloboo · Post by **melchloboo** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:57 pm

Yes, I'm asking because I just spilled a tin...
Yes, I broke down and ordered one of those plastic keepers...
The cheapo Crossman pellets do...why not RWS and others?

Soupy44 · Post by **Soupy44** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:26 pm

That way, when we spill one tin per sleeve, we have to go get more.

That, or it's just that the current tin is cheaper. Putting a screw on lid would probably increase the price they pay for the tins by a lot.

Tom Amlie · Post by **Tom Amlie** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:23 pm

Just as an idle observation, I have an old RWS tin from about 35 years ago that I believe has a screw-on lid (keep front sight inserts in it). Just going from memory...don't feel like digging around in the attic right now to verify.

Alex L · Post by **Alex L** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:11 am

I make Air Pellet tin covers - in leather. they are just little pouches with a press stud fastening. The RWS tin fits them just perfectly.

My wife "invented" them when she wound up with a gun box full of air pellets, as the sticky tape had come Unstuck!! Necessity being the mother in invention!!!

They also fit stop watches.

I have sold a few to Club members at $15 Australian. (Plus postage)

I can't download a photo here, but if anyone wants to see one you will have to email me privately, and I can send you a photo.

Alex. L.

jhmartin · Post by **jhmartin** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:29 am

I have a bunch of screw on tins for use on the line just for the reason you mention ... painted them and they are easy to find & refill.

The problem I have is the kids like to "snap" the lids back on instead of screwing them back together many times resulting in cross threads which are then just about impossible to get into. It usually takes a benchvise and water pipe pliers to get them undone.

I think the real reason(s) are stated above:
1) mfg costs
2) so we gotta order more when they dump <grin>

Rover · Post by **Rover** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:46 pm

JHMARTIN,

You got it! The damn things are impossible to open.

I think they should be made with a reverse thread to make it even more difficult.

It IS good for the waistline when you drop a tin of pellets, though.

I remember the thrill of my first 3X Air at the OTC when I opened my gun box and found the pellet tin had opened, strewing pellets and even getting into the trigger mechanism of my FWB 90.

Thankfully, Don Nygord helped me out to get it operating again. I also discovered that spring guns and SSPs don't work great at high altitude.

luftskytter · Post by **luftskytter** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:45 pm

I've pondered this one too, only the cheapo pellets have screw-on lids.

I guess the taped on lids work as a seal: they guarantee that the box has never been opened in the shop, and is airtight so the pellets don't corrode. Sealed cartons of ten boxes are an ideal format!
This may be important if you buy large lots of pellets selected for your gun after extensive testing. Or like me, you see big lots at a discount as a good investment in times of rising prices, low bank interests and insecure stockmarkets...

German makers sell plastic clips for securing the lids:
I've found that this is a very good investment too :-)

BrianS · Post by **BrianS** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:47 pm

I have found a simple solution to protecting the contents of air pellet tins. Here in the UK, there is a company called 'Bodyshop'. They sell all those cosmetic creams etc. for ladies, packaged in plastic tubs the exact size of an H&N pellet tin. Empty the creamy contents, insert the pellet tin base (fits like a piston - pierce the base to let out the trapped air), refill the new container with pellets complete with a secure twist-on lid. Choice of colours depending on the flavour of the original contents. Nil cost secure pellet container.

Ed Hall · Post by **Ed Hall** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:05 pm

I thought our host, Pilkguns sold a pellet tin sleeve, but I don't find any on their site.

The type I'm referring to is the Gehmann Pellet Tin Sleeve style holder. There is also an Anschutz Pellet Tin Sleeve at the same site. This type or possibly a rubber version might also be referred to as a "hockey puck."

Take Care,
Ed Hall
Air Force Shooting Homepage
Bullseye (and International) Competition Things

Walter · Post by **Walter** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:28 pm

Just re-use the tape.

luftskytter · Post by **luftskytter** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:22 am

Ed Hall wrote:I thought our host, Pilkguns sold a pellet tin sleeve, but I don't find any on their site.

The type I'm referring to is the Gehmann Pellet Tin Sleeve style holder. There is also an Anschutz Pellet Tin Sleeve at the same site. This type or possibly a rubber version might also be referred to as a "hockey puck."

Take Care,
Ed Hall
Air Force Shooting Homepage
Bullseye (and International) Competition Things

Those are the ones I was referring to in my post above:
guess I have almost a dozen of these :-)

Post by **pilkguns** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:57 am

If you buy Vogel USA match pellets, you get a transparent container with a built in lock so you don't spill pellets and that has rebate as well

Oz · Post by Oz » Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:34 am

pilkguns wrote:If you buy Vogel USA match pellets, you get a transparent container with a built in lock so you don't spill pellets and that has rebate as well

If this was Facebook, I'd click on the thumbs up and give this a 'like'. I've never tried the Vogel and need to do so. I'm going to put in an order today!

Oz

Mark Skeels · Post by **Mark Skeels** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:12 pm

Alex L said his wife made them from leather. I don't chew, but enjoy leatherwork, and it reminds me of maybe something I saw in the Tandy leather catalog in the past that would hold a coppenhagen can of tabacco, leather with a snap, but of course this one would have a slot in the back to attach to your belt for easy access, which you wouldn't need to use for a pellet tin. I would think it is about the same size. Of course Tandy is over priced, but they do have 50% off sales quite often for certain items.

Mark Skeels · Post by **Mark Skeels** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:13 pm

Alex L said his wife made them from leather. I don't chew, but enjoy leatherwork, and it reminds me of maybe something I saw in the Tandy leather catalog in the past that would hold a coppenhagen can of tabacco, leather with a snap, but of course this one would have a slot in the back to attach to your belt for easy access, which you wouldn't need to use for a pellet tin. I would think it is about the same size. Of course Tandy is over priced, but they do have 50% off sales quite often for certain items.

Freepistol · Post by **Freepistol** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:28 am

Why are the containers made of metal? I think a plastic container with a screw on or snap on lid would be cheap to make once the pattern was made.

luftskytter · Post by **luftskytter** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:33 am

I have an old "Hobby" pellet box made from plastic, and som of the nasty black Chinese "industry Brand" pellets come in clear plastic boxes. I have a few of these too.

No Problem :-)

Shooting Bloke · Post by **Shooting Bloke** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:48 pm

You are meant to shoot them all off in one go. Then buy more. ;)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:59 am

What works for me is to lightly squeeze the tin so the opening becomes oval. When you pop the round lid back on it holds quite well.

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