Thoughts on the Amac Containerstore/Michaels enclosure latches?

[hypnolobster]

I've got a whole bunch of these for enclosures, which come from the container store or Michaels or a whole load of other craft stores.

They're incredible enclosures, but when you get to the bigger ones, they just don't stay together. The lid falls right off (except for the occasional tight fitting one).

So, anybody have clever ideas for holding the lids on? Preferably a nice attractive solution (because the main attraction of these things is being clear. When you use screen vents they look even better).

Something involving magnets seems simple, but I've just got a mental block and can't think of anything. I'd really like to be able to mount the lid on and put a feeding door and cleanup hatch at the bottom.

 

[nikinizor]

hot glue some small hinges and a hasp on em....

 

[rasputin]

I actually take clear tape and layer it on the lip of the lid until I get the right fit. Since it's the lip and you are using clear tape, it doesn't look too bad. Amac plastics, the maker of those boxes, is touch and go with the way the lids fit - I usually sit there for a while at Hobby Lobby playing with the boxes to make sure I'm getting the best fit; with exception, of course, to when I'm in a hurry - then I just grab the size I need and hope it's good.

 

[Teal]

I superglued some of my lids on, because I drill cork hole for feeding/watering and thought having glues lids would be helpful.. not true! it was a HUGE pain in the butt! lol

I only have one lid taped shut, and that's for my T. gigas because it's one of the 1/4" shallow lids and he's always up around the top.

All of my lids fit well, luckily.

 

[jayefbe]

I sit and fit the lids and bottoms together until I find good fits too. The people at CS must think I'm nuts.

Biomarine hot glues hasps on, and they look great. I haven't used them yet, but probably will some day. Here's a link:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24341&clickid=redirect

 

[billopelma]

Drill (or melt) two small holes through the corner in the middle of where the top/bottom overlap.
Make a cotter pin with a paperclip, straight pin, bobby pin, wire. etc. You can also buy cotter pins or use a safety pin. Repeat on opposite corner.
Wire cutters and small round nose pliers for making the pins can usually be had dirt cheap at a dollar store if you don't have them already.

Bill

 

[varanus dwarfus]

I found that the quality on these pieces to be MASSIVELY different depending on where I get them. I went to buy some at my local Michaels but most were a little fogged, the lids fit like crap, some were cracked/chipped and the plastic just looked subpar (like factor second pieces). At my local Container Store the quality was the exact opposite. EVERY single one was great quality with tight fitting lids and crystal clear. I plan on buying some of the clear hasps when my slings move up to the larger ones, but for now I don't forsee having any problems.

 

[hypnolobster]

I found that the quality on these pieces to be MASSIVELY different depending on where I get them. I went to buy some at my local Michaels but most were a little fogged, the lids fit like crap, some were cracked/chipped and the plastic just looked subpar (like factor second pieces). At my local Container Store the quality was the exact opposite. EVERY single one was great quality with tight fitting lids and crystal clear. I plan on buying some of the clear hasps when my slings move up to the larger ones, but for now I don't forsee having any problems.

I agree. In fact, I've had the exact same experience. I just picked up some from Michaels today on a whim, though I'd always gotten then from the Container Store (online). The boxes at Michaels were cracked on some of the seams and were pretty ill-fitting.

I'm going to pick up some small acrylic hasps and give those a try, but I really really like the pin idea.

 

[rasputin]

Jay, hasps cost too much and prove to be more of a hastle than it's worth. The only time i use those hasps is when I build an enclosure out of acrylite and in that case, I avoid the hot glue gun and go straight for the acrylic welding compound.

Bill, that seems like too much work. How do you do that without destroying the lip?

Varanus, When I encounter crappy boxed at Hobby Lobby, I take them to the front and tell them that their boxes are no good and to order a new batch - they generally do...especially when you're buying up to 10 at a time on a semi-regular basis.