Altoid mint tins

[Philip Miller Tate]

As members of the crystal set community may recall, I have built many  
circuits in what I regard as decorated full- or half-size tobacco  
tins (purchased empty and previously unused). They are a useful size,  
have a tight-fitting but removable lid, and are pressed steel with a  
protective lacquer coating. The lacquer makes a reasonable flux, and  
it is easy to solder wires to the case itself.

The main problem is that, here in the UK, the traditional decoration  
is a well-applied sticker, almost impossible to remove, that commonly  
depicts a humorous reference to a non-tobacco-related inhalable  
product, with characteristic spiky leaves. For this reason, I tend  
not to bring projects housed in these otherwise perfect cases through  
US borders. To be honest, I'd probably get beaten up by our border  
officials too. If only those guys could chill out and be more relaxed...

Phil M1GWZ