*sigh* Well, my first cache is delayed quite a bit :{

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

Lizardo · Senior Member

Hey Kabuthunk.

For the textured spraypaint to stick, you will need to use a really good primer coat. I have had success before with a cheap can of primer. Use a coarse sandpaper on the surface. Really scuff it up alot. If it is a gasketed container (Lock & lock, ammo can) make sure you don't get any paint on the gasket.

You could also "prime" the container with camo duck tape. It holds paint ok. And if any paint chips off, you still have the tape back up.

If you are planning on using glue, I would recommend exterior silicone. It is weatherproof and sticks to anything.

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

First cache is nearing completion (again). The glue that I used is the same stuff I used to glue down the carpeting in the interior of my car... so I know it can take a ton of abuse, cold, heat, and just about anything else you can throw at it. I use it for anything I need to stay, and stay good :P

In either case... instead of the previously mentioned idea of "spraypaint the glue", I just decided to go more all-out, and spend an extra 4 or 5 hours on preparing the cache container to better blend in. It's currently about 90% done, but due to the 12-24 hour dry time with the glue, and me wanting to do several layers (in case anything chips off or falls off) of camoflage, it'll still be several days before it's complete, then several more days before I can get it out.

But soon... soon...

Jimbo 2 · Veteran Member

I had to repair one of my caches like that. The first camo just peeled off in large pieces, white glue does NOT make good camo adhesive. For my next repair I covered the cache in silicone, then sprinkled sand in it to provide camo. This seems to be holding up.

Also, wiping down the container with acetone as well as sanding it, helps glue to stick to the plastic better, I have found.

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

Hurrah! Cache creation has been completed. Minor touch-ups remain, but that should be done tonight. Cache page nearly completed as well. Only things remaining are completing FTF prize and certificate, the aformentioned touch-ups on the container, physically placing it, and sending the page up for review.

On a random note... here's the initial contents. I decided to go with some less-conventional starting items... since usually what I find in a cache tends to be boring. Hence, I put in things I'd like to find in caches myself :P :

Logbook
Roll of camoflage tape
Matchbox car
Normal-shaped caribiner
Duck-shaped caribiner
Bouncy ball
Rubber chicken
FTF prize (handwoven titanium chainmail bracelet) & certificate

So yeah... look forward to Kabuthunk's first cache coming shortly (unless it's disallowed for some reason, but I can't fathom why right now). I estimate end of the week I'll be submitting for review... maybe earlier. I have Thursday off, so I'll be seeing if I can get out there to place it then.

slippery_1 · Senior Member

Hey, You can't put this cache here I plan on putting one there....lol

How's that? Beat the reviewers note...grins

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

Aw MAN. Well, looks like I might as well hurl that cache into the dumpster on the way to work today then :P

But no... things are coming along quite nicely. Finished the titanium bracelet entirely (hope I made it big enough for most people... if it's too big, at least people can clip off some of the rings). Finished the touch-ups on the cache container, and am currently waiting for Staples to finish printing out my FTF certificate... which will be printed on parchment paper, signed, neatly folded, and sealed with a custom-made wax seal :P

... I wanted my first cache to be something special... hopefully.

1queenand4jokers · Senior Member

Our sons, the Jokers 3, like your signature item Kabuthunk. So how much for a full metal middle ages vest?

TASKForce3 · Member

Yes, I agree. Both of my daughters have scored a chain mail ball now. Cool item.

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

Hurrah! Glad people like the chainmail ball. Plenty more where that came from :P

Reminds me though... I should toss one into these caches too :P

.... there, added in.

Anyhoo... as for the chainmail vest... the one I made took about a month to make (about 3 to 4 hours a day). The cost was all of maybe... 35 bucks worth of galvanized steel wire, but I hand-coiled and cut it all myself. So like... the entire cost is in the work. Then again, I don't really want to make big-ticket items for sale anyway... not enough spare time to justfy it :{

sam and lily · Veteran Member

I have a couple of chain mail balls too which I am going to put on to earwires.They are very cool and a great "lost art" . I really want to see the bracelet !! Hopefully the FTF can post a picture? ertyu?

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

I'll actually be taking pictures of the contents before it goes out to post on my website anyway. When I do, I'll post the link.

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

BLARGG! I'm sure everyone goes through this with the first cache or so they've placed... but the wait to see if it gets approved and activated is agonizing!

I submitted it for review... about 26 hours ago. I'm sure it can easily take several days, or even a week or two... depending on how busy the reviewers are with... y'know... regular life, but still :P

So yeah... cache is currently sitting in the cold, waiting to be found... and it's drivin' me nuts waiting for any kind of word of if I need to change something, or do something extra, or if it's taking so long because of a problem... or yeah. The waiting... it be driving me nuts!

Dragonfreys · Senior Member

Congratulations, it's a boy...err..cache. May it live long and be found by many happy cachers.

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

YAAAAY! Yeah, I checked this morning, and it's up and running! I wonder who will make the cold, cold trek first.

burchil · Veteran Member

After following this thread with interest I was pleased when I had the chance to go and actually see the cache for real. The camo job is very nice and appears to be holding up well.

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

Axcellent, glad you liked it. Kinda hope someone goes there with kids soon or something... I get the feeling that the rubber chicken is still taking up a ton of room. When my brothers/sisters come out for Christmas, I may make them do the geocache (without help from me of course... but then again, it's not exactly a 5-star difficulty :P), and get the rubber chicken if it's still there, just to free up room. They were the ones who got me into geocaching, so it shouldn't take much forcing :P

-- Edited by Kabuthunk at 12:19, 2006-12-17

burchil · Veteran Member

If only I had known you wanted to rubber chicken to move on to another place - I did go out with my family and a friend. Only my daughter made the whole walk (my son and friend ran out of energy) and she was not interested in the rubber chicken.