Cheap Tricks with 35mm Film Canisters
While many of us now favor digital photography over “old-fashioned” 35mm film, don’t toss those old 35mm film canisters, especially the clear Fuji-type with secure snap-in lids. Small plastic film canisters have a multitude of uses for the shooter and reloader.
Here Are Some of the Things You Can Do with Film Canisters:
1. If you weigh powder charges after throwing them with a manual powder dispenser, throw the charges first into a film canister and then use that to drop the powder into the measuring pan on your scale. The canister will catch every kernel of powder. If you throw charges directly into a weighing pan, powder can sometimes bounce out. Using the film canister will help keep spilled powder off your loading bench and floor.
2. Store extra sets of foam ear-plugs in the canister. You never want to be without ear protection. This editor has four film canisters filled with plugs. Two go in the range kit, one goes in the car’s glove compartment, and a second stays in a lock box I use to transport pistols. This way I never find myself at the range without ear protection.
3. Place your smaller cotton patches in film canisters, marked by caliber. If you use the water-tight Fuji-style canisters, you can even pre-soak the patches with solvent. You can have one canister for wet patches, another for dry patches. That saves time when you’re at the range, and avoids spillage. One caution–some solvents may react with plastic, so test this first before you put a solvent-filled canister in your range kit.
4. Use film canisters to hold your neck bushings, sorted by caliber. With a permanent marking pen, you can mark the side or top of the canister with the bushing sizes, or caliber.
5. Store your favorite Bolt Grease (for rifles) or anti-seize compound (good for pistol slide rails), in the canister. You don’t need to fill it all the way up — a little dab will do ya. We only recommend this with the snap-top Fuji canisters.
6. During transport, Protect your muzzle with canisters. When shipping a rifle or barrel, slip the film canister over the muzzle, then secure it with electrical tape. This will protect the precious crown of a match barrel from dings or damage.
There are countless other uses for 35mm film canisters. We invite readers to respond with their own tips on using these handy containers. If you don’t have some stashed in your workshop already, you can get empties for free at most film processing centers. The clear plastic Fuji canisters are the best — you can see what’s inside and the lids are watertight.
I put air rifle pellets in the film canisters. As an exterminator and nuisance animal controller, I have climbed ladders in aircraft hangers, walked [closed]grocery stores mid nite, and home supply stores hunting rats or feral pigeons. The canisters are great pellet holders!
I sometimes use film canisters to make air horns. They aren’t quite as loud as professionally made ones, but they’re loud enough to get someone’s attention while hunting. Especially when you’re out in the woods and the noise is very foreign. Here’s how to make the air horn.
Materials:
Balloon
35mm Film Canister
Scissors
Straw
1) Poke a hole with the scissors into the bottom of the film canister and the side of the film canister.
2) Insert the straw into the bottom hole.
3) Cut your balloon in half and then cut a half so that it is around 2 cms bigger than the film canister’s top in every direction.
4) Take the film canister top off the canister, and stretch your balloon part over the top. Put the top back on.
5) Blow through the hole in the side of the canister. The sound will be different based on how tightly the balloon is stretched and the position of the straw. Experiment to find an effective sound.
It sure beats paying $20 for a good airhorn. It is reusable, but I’d personally throw it away after a few uses.
they also work great for making inert practise projectiles for your 37mm flare launcher.
you got that from kipkay
Great for protecting choke tubes!
Use them to store extra seater stems for the Wilson straight line bullet seaters.
I’ve seen several shooters use film canisters to make up front match sight protection. Use some elastic cord between two cans(rubber bands tends to fall apart; what I’m talking about can be purchased at Marshall’s or JoAnn Fabrics), shape to fit it’s easy to fit or remove once you get to the line.
I dont know why, but I have seen several old hippie types use these to keep oregano in so it stays dry. . .chefs? maybe?
If you know someone who is Diabetic and regularly checks their blood sugar, the test strips container are nice to get a hold of. Just ask, they have a never ending supply.
Mine are the One Touch container. Nice for multiple uses.
I use them to store black powder loads. Mostly 80 gr. FF with a 50 cal. Put strip of tape on the lid to identify the load. Those I don’t shoot this year, go in my metal black powder box till next year.
Where can you get a bunch???
I use the a lid (black or grey) to cover the front of my Streamlight TLRs1 picitinny rail mounted flashlight. I use it so the flashlight does not reflect light. When I am ready to use the light, I just flip it off.
Perfect for quarters! I keep one in my car for laundry and to feed parking meters. We also used them to build alka seltzer rockets in camp this past summer…a lot of fun. I found a bunch online at http://www.filmcanisterrockets.com
also for mini first aid kits/matches
You can buy these in bulk from Amazon, sometimes eBay.