I could see this being full of air-tites..

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One day I'm going to order this one from that lighthouse website.



http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lig...ctPath=/Shops/leuchtturm_us/Products/MSLBOX50

 

Couldn't get your link to pull up. I'll try and poke around light houses website and try to find something relevant.

 

Ok I've seen quite a few interesting ideas on how to transport coins.

I did have one question that has been bypassed.

On that type of box that Tim posted, how harmful would the wood/glue/velvet gases be to slabbed coins. And in what type of time frame?

I really like the setup that these machinist chests offer and I'm really only interested in it for just lugging coins/books/etc around from time to time. No long term storage or display.

I'm smitten by the idea so much that I really want to buy one just so I can have a model to make my own with using the non pressed mahogany like someone suggested. I was thinking then of just customizing inserts in different drawers for different needs.

Also, would there be any way to keep what gases would result at bay? Is this something that silica gel or desiccants can accomplish or is there another means to remove/neutralize gases in a cheap and easy/efficient manner?

 

I don't think desiccant would remove the gas, as it wasn't designed for that. If it does so as a bi-product or ancillary action, the amount removed might be insignificant.

 

I used to sell these boxes. Great box for small tools. They look great on the bench but not sturdy enough to be moved around much. When you first unpack these they have a smell that tells you it's not a safe place for coins. Sisco? Safe were the first folks to bring these into the US if I remember correctly. The safes they made were not very good for coins as well.

 

The main issue for me has been addressed. I'm worried about the potential damage from the gases, and that's about it.

The size/weight isn't an issue for probably at least 20 years for me. I'm only 26, and I come from many years already of very physical labor and sports. Not saying im the strongest man alive, but I can't imagine having much of an issue lugging 40-50 pounds around for a few minutes.

Doug, keep in mind that those drawers don't stay exposed. There's usually a bottom 'drawer' that slides out to close up the front of the chest and keep the drawers from opening.

In my mind I had the box sectioned up as follows.

The opening lid on top would likely hold mostly reference books, probably 2-3.

The bottom drawers I would customize with grid like inserts to mimic those 8-slab velvet trays. I couldn't find any that would just fit the dimensions of those drawers so that's something I would have to make. Easy enough to do though.

That leaves the 6 smallest drawers for use still. I was thinking the top 2 would house writing utensils, pens, paper, etc. Along with any magnification tools. The other 4 drawers I haven't figured out what to do with yet. Maybe customize 2 of them to hold the 2x2 trays or something for keeping smaller items from sliding.

At any rate the movement of the slabs/airtites isn't much of a concern, I could even use small Ziplocks for the slabs to prevent as much damage to it as possible. Also, the damage I would cumulatively obtain from the released gases would probably be alright too I would imagine. It would be most harmful if I took the same coins over and over and over again, every time I carted them off somewhere, but I imagine the needs would change on what I intend to carry just about every time it was used.

The problem I am having with the lighthouse box is the lack of options. The only ones I saw had drawers for about the thickness of a slab and I was looking for drawers for books and anything else I might need. I don't see a Krause catalog fitting in the lighthouse box, but its not too hard to imagine that same book in the top of this machinist chest.

I also guess I just like the idea of an old wooden box as my mobile hobby 'base camp'. Something about the metal boxes and the canvas bags just turns me off. The wood seems more old fashioned and classic, almost like its warm and inviting.

Please understand guys I am truly interested in what we've been talking about and I'm not trying to be hard headed on the subject. I realize I'm going against most of the advice given so far but at the same time I am trying to improve upon the problem areas addressed with this box and see if it will still work for my needs. Thanks for all your input.

 

This is great. A first hand experience is always welcome.

I was thinking of buying the cheap one online and then using it for a model to make my own. With real mahogany and sturdier construction. Plus the dimensions I would need.

In the meantime I had planned on doing some cheap and simple customization to the one purchased to make it functional for my needs until I had time to build my new one.