Stumped: Containers for Solvents?

[Bolster]

I need to carry small amounts of solvents with me to jobsites. About 4 ounces would be good--lighter and safer than carrying a whole gallon or even a quart. I've never found acetone, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, denatured alcohol, etc, sold in cans that small. I would gladly transfer to another container from my gallon cans, but I can't find 4 oz cans for sale.

I bought some Boston Brown Bottles and they are nice, but if I drop one and break it, I could have a hazmat spill on my hands. (Also they have plastic stoppers inside the lid, and who knows what the acetone will do to that.)

Ideas? Sources?

 

[Davefr]

How about this:

http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-detail.aspx?pn=446-899

Or these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121023167943

(Acetone is fine in LDPE for short to medium term storage).

If you want metal cans you could always go to the hardware store and buy something that comes in a can like this and then transfer contents. Those spouts pop off easily:

If your job sites are real **** about proper labeling and MSDS's then all bets are off.

 

[rlitman]

That cutting fluid container reminds me of a Zippo lighter fluid container. Those are metal, are designed for flammable liquids (naphtha), and come in the right sizes for you.

The naphtha inside makes a decent cleaning solvent too, so there's no need to waste it before you refill it with whatever else you want.

Here's one that is 4oz:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C3Z4M8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[NoNN37]

Maybe check out Beauty Supply/nail supply stores for plastic containers. They all keep chemicals in special plastic bottles.

 

[rlitman]

Oh, and here are some other options.
Justrite makes a Type I safety can in sizes down to 1 pint. Ok, that's a little big for you, but it is less than the quart you were talking about, and it looks like a mini gas can. How cool is that?

They also make 1 pint plunger cans, but that's more of a product to sit on a bench, not something you'd take with you to a jobsite.

Finally, these cans come in 4oz and 8oz sizes, but they are nonmetallic:
http://www.justritemfg.com/product....ous Liquids&max=1&bob=Utility Products&bob2=4

I agree, the glass is probably not the best thing to be carrying around. I'm sure the cap will be fine with acetone (they use a polyethylene seal), and dropping one is not a hazmat issue (not enough liquid), but it sure is a fire risk if dropped.

NoNN37, you're right, nail polish remover is acetone, and it comes in plastic bottles. But I'd be wary of having a plastic bottle in my pocket on a jobsite where there are potentially sources of ignition. Just me?

 

[Bolster]

Wow, great suggestions, thanks! This is why we ask the great oracle of Garage Journal before proceeding!

...a Zippo lighter fluid container. Those are metal, are designed for flammable liquids (naphtha), and come in the right sizes for you...

But can you refill, have you tried it? Are you certain you'd have a leakproof seal after prying off the cap?

 

[djjsr]

I use 1 quart plastic paint containers. I think I got them from Sherwin Williams. So far I haven't found a solvent that will eat through them but there may be something out there.

 

[rlitman]

But can you refill, have you tried it? Are you certain you'd have a leakproof seal after prying off the cap?

Sorry, no idea. I've never tried. I keep my small amounts of naphtha in a glass dropper bottle in my flammable cabinet. I'd think more about a metal container if I was bringing it places.

 

[turbodave]

You can look into lab bottles, Cole Parmer and Grainger have them.

The plastic wash bottles with the spray tube on top work nice if you're staying in a temperature controlled environment, but if you move them from cold to hot they pressurize and spray out on their own sometimes.

 

[larry_g]

How are you traveling with these? Do they sit on a truck shelf or carry in an attache type tool carrier like for office machine repair. Also how do you dispense the fluid, dip in with a brush or squirt bottle? Search on Lab supplies and MSC and Grainger pop up with likely candidates.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ears]

http://www.bascousa.com/pails-cans-...al-cans/screw-top-metal-cans-mrft4ul-125.html

 

[coop]

If plastic is not a deal breaker, www.usplastic.com A quick look at the print catalog has solvent containers. Lots of other cool stuff there too.
I use 4oz leak proof HDPE for distilled water to calibrate my TDS meter in the field. Beats carrying the whole gallon.

 

[kc-steve]

Hi Bolster;

I didn't know you could legally buy acetone in Kalifornia.

Steve

 

[jose's garage]

air plane travel bottles? auto paint shops have small bottles for polishes and liquid waxs

 

[crewchief888]

i wonder if a real paint store would have pint or 1/2 pint metal paint cans they would sell ?

 

[96snma]

Whatever you end up putting it in make sure you label it properly

 

[rlitman]

I feel like such an idiot. A hip flask would be perfect for this. Why didn't that occur to me sooner?

 

[Davefr]

I feel like such an idiot. A hip flask would be perfect for this. Why didn't that occur to me sooner?

Great idea! Stainless Steel and made for spirits.

This will make proper labeling real important!!

 

[KEH]

How about an oil can with spout, avaliable at auto parts stores, or HF? Quality to suit your needs, since there is variation in quality.

KEH

 

[rlitman]

Great idea! Stainless Steel and made for spirits.

This will make proper labeling real important!!

YES! I would personally engrave a skull and crossbones on it before the first use. Labeling of chemicals is always important, but especially so when it is in a container that you would expect to have potable contents.

 

[Regnar]

I love these. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=65595&catid=875

 

[signcrafter]

This place has jsut about any kind of container you could want, http://www.freundcontainer.com/. Lots of options for metal containers including ones with brushes on the lids and anything else you could want. Have them send you a free catalog.

 

[pcos]

Another possibility, ThermoScientific:

http://www.thermoscientific.com/ecomm/servlet/newsdetail?storeId=11152&contentId=54904#selectorguide

The Nalgene name should ring a bell if you ever set foot on a hiking trail. This is the scientific/industrial side of their business I presume.

They have a bottle selection guide that should help with acetone tolerant containers, etc.

 

[JustBob]

Could not find one in 4 oz, but here is a 8 oz solvent can and caps. Only 2.9" wide, 1" depth, 5.4" high...





http://www.freundcontainer.com/f-style-oblong-metal-cans/p/1900T01-B/

 

[ddo]

Whatever youre using, u can check chemical compatibility charts easily. One i use frequently is cole parmars, which is on their website. Hdpe might be good for one solvent but not another, etc. Small can that pvc primer comes in might work well and can be found at any hardware store for a few bucks as well. Primers pretty nasty so chances are the container would hold up. Even comes with a little brush and a label that can be removed.

 

[Outlawmws]

You can buy empty metal cans from some Ace hardware sores and if you have a Tap Plastics I think they have them also. The paint store Idea is a good one, like Kelly Moore or the like.