Reusing Tins

Request: Using Tins

By Marianne I have bunches of tins of all sizes and shapes. Recently, I've accumulated a lot of Altoids tins and now some CD tins that AOL has been sending out. How do you use tins? (In your answer, please state the type of tin you are using.)

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RE: Using Tins

For larger tins such as old cookie sheets or a can that cookies came in, place them in your BBQ grill for the charcoal. Replace the tins that have burnt holes in them from cooked charcoal instead of buying a new grill because the bottom of the grill shouldn't be affected.I use smaller tins to store bobby pins, straight pins, buttons, paper clips, and other odds and ends around the house. (09/16/2002)

By Tracy

Altoid Tins, Candy Tins and Peanut Cans and more

About the tins.The little altoids tins would probably be great for screws,nails, buttons, paper clips and even in the car to hold coins for tolls if you need them.I needed to elevate a shelf under my monitor. I put contact paper that matched the shelf on 4 peanut cans, put plastic lids on the tops and bottoms and put them under the shelf [an old bread board]. I spread them so my keyboard slides underneath.I also use nut cans and things like oatmeal boxes for storage. I know some people cut a small hole on oatmeal box lids and put their yarn inside.It sits wherever you want it. The yarn comes out of the hole and it doesn't get snagged, dirty or as much torn up by cats as it would if it was loose. Mom and I put ours in the plastic bags the newspaper comes in, then if there's different colors they can be put in a bag or a cereal box.By the way, if anybody uses powdered milk the 10 envelope boxes are just right for video tapes.I also use candy tins for jewelry and I just had an idea. Put a small sewing kit in one and put it in your vehicle. Great for emergencies.Orange juice cans covered with contact paper make great pen and pencil holders. (09/16/2002)

By Linne >

RE: Using CD Tins

The CD tins I have painted black and gold veined them (a spray paint that use to be available). Recently, I used one on a small gift box of candy and inside the CD tin, I made a laminated magnet that said, "The Perfect Diet" - Eat everything and lose weight ... just don't swallow!The CD tin was on top of the candy and tied together with a big poofy bow on top. (09/17/2002)

By sydfred

RE: Using Tins

I use all kinds of tins to keep sewing supplies and other things. I use them as kind of a memory aid. I try to get lots of different kinds, toffee and candy tins, small mint tins, etc. I pick them for their distinctive look. That way I can remember what is in it by it's design. The design reminds me it's the duct tape tin or button tin or chocolate chip tin and it makes it much easier for me to find that way. (i.e. the one with yellow flowers has the buttons, the little red altoids box has the safety pins.)I use extras for gift tins and use them instead of gift boxes. Usually you can pick them up for next to nothing at garage sales and thrift stores.I don't know if that kind of thing works for you but it does for me because I can remember what is in it without opening it up.As far as the AOL cds go, they are much sturdier than cd cases. I'm going to spray paint them and give gift cds in them. They are also good for protecting photographs. They also might make a good little traveling jewelry box. - (09/19/2002)

By Marianne

RE: Using Tins

I use all kinds of tins to keep sewing supplies and other things. I use them as kind of a memory aid. I try to get lots of different kinds, toffee and candy tins, small mint tins, etc. I pick them for their distinctive look. That way I can remember what is in it by it's design. The design reminds me it's the duct tape tin or button tin or chocolate chip tin and it makes it much easier for me to find that way. (i.e. the one with yellow flowers has the buttons, the little red altoids box has the safety pins.)I use extras for gift tins and use them instead of gift boxes. Usually you can pick them up for next to nothing at garage sales and thrift stores.I don't know if that kind of thing works for you but it does for me because I can remember what is in it without opening it up.As far as the AOL cds go, they are much sturdier than cd cases. I'm going to spray paint them and give gift cds in them. They are also good for protecting photographs. They also might make a good little traveling jewelry box. - (09/19/2002)

By Marion J.

RE: Using Tins

Hi, I've got one of those bigger tins that 3 kinds of popcorn came in, that I use to take wild bird seed to my bird feeders with. The smaller tins are excellent for storing all kinds of items (just remember what you have in which tin). I know a lady who uses the larger popcorn tins for magazine holders. I have some of the smaller ones setting on top of my kitchen cabinets for decorative purposes. (01/22/2003)

By badwater

RE: CD Using Tins

I helped out with my sons 1st grade recycling project and was hooked I must say! lol I had enough of those aol cd's and tins, 1st we base coated all the tins, and drilled a small hole in the cds ( for hanging ). Then when we took them to the kids and had them decorate them with all sorts of stuff, from yarn, buttons, fun foam, felt you get the idea! And we took pictures of the kids and that made them cool personalized gift's with a gift box!

This could be done also a bit more elegant, How about a small wedding favor? (ooh, how about a wedding around Christmas? Could be an ornament gift/party favor for a bridal shower/ or a party favor for the tables at the wedding. I made 200 craft stick sled ornaments, personalized with the bride and grooms name and wedding date for party favors... It was a December wedding....that was such a HUGE!!!!! hit! The ideas for the cd tins are endless!) (07/24/2003)

By artsyfartsymom

RE: Using Tins

I use the larger tins for repairing my exhaust pipe on my car. Open both ends. Cut from top to bottom. wrap around the hole / break in you exhaust and fix with hose clamps. These last up to a year, or longer than the rest of the system!

Also the tin can become the front of a model steam train ! (03/29/2005)

By Tricky