Want to secure your ammo can? 9key shows you how!

These instructions are for a 30 cal (7.62mm) ammo can, the kind with the large hole in the latch. The 50 cals are a bit trickier.

Parts:

1 - 1/4" x 3" threaded eye bolt

1 - 1/4" nut

1 - 1/4" lock nut (the kind with the plastic inside threads)

2 - 1/4" lock washers

2 - 1/4" flat washers

1 - tube of Locktite Treadlocker Red

1 - package of JB Weld epoxy

1 - tube of RTV silicone, any color 

Instructions:

1) Close the lid on the can and mark where the eye bolt hole will go. Make sure you'll be able to latch the can once the
eye bolt is in place!

2) Drill a hole just a tad larger than 1/4" and sand off any rough spots.

3) Dab a little of the silicone around the hole both inside and outside of the can.

4) Screw the regular nut onto the eye bolt almost all the way to where the threads stop. 

5) Add a locking washer and a flat washer up against the nut.

6) Coat the threads of the eye bolt with the red Locktite

7) Insert the eye bolt into the hole in the can

8) Add a flat washer, then the locking washer, then the lock nut to the inside of the can.

9) Tighten the *heck* out of the lock washer. You'll probably want to use two sets of pliers, one one the nut on the
outside, one inside.

10) Mix up a small batch of the JB Weld. I use a toothpick to mix it and to apply it. It should be a medium gray color if
it's mixed right. 

11) Liberally apply the JB Weld epoxy to the nuts and any exposed threads on the eye bolt, both inside and outside the
can. Leave the can open and let it dry over night. You can paint over the epoxy and even sand it if you like.

I've not had anyone twist the nuts off using this process. I think the key is the Locktite and the lock nut.

Locks:

Word locks work well, especially for multi's with a code word, or puzzle caches: http://www.wordlock.com

I've found them at Ace Hardware, Staples, and Office Depot for $5 to $7. There are also word locks with just 4 letters
and Target carries those.

So far they have weathered well on my caches.

If you choose to use a keyed padlock be sure to have a bunch of keys made up ahead of time, as they *will* get lost.

The twist dial (school locker) padlocks don't weather well at all. The innards rust after a few months, so stay away
from those.

A good quality brass combination padlock will weather pretty good.

Let me know how it goes or if you have any trouble, or maybe even have a better way!

Will ~ 9key

9key@texasgeocaching.com

By 9key

Will Nienke is a contributing author to The Online Geocacher.