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As a tightwad, I’m thinking of that Taunton Press should make a gift book for the holidays. Titled something like “Fine Drywall Buckets” or 101 uses for Drywall Buckets, or Idiot’s Guide to Plastic Paint Buckets.
Its amazing what can be done with them.
Tool boxes (with or without the fancy nylon pockets or plastic dividers)
Seats (with or without the special “bucket seat” top)
Step stool (for the lightfooted)
Porta potty (last resort)
crawlspace excavating
basement sump area for sump pump
beer brewing
fetchin’ water
temporary sink
parts boxes (for fittings etc.)
dumbwaiter
Any other ideas on what they can (or shouldn’t) be used for?
(or should I get a life?)
Replies
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Other than get a life (he he he) - Varmint trap, rain hat, last resort sawhorses but most importantly - as a cooler for the Friday afternoon adult beverages.
*Technical question re milk crates. (Sorta the same subject?) Have you ever been or have you ever heard of anyone being fined or imprisoned for the unauthorized possession of milk crates? Ever been pulled over and had your truck searched by the Milk Police? Ever been pulled over by a cow and searched?I don't know where the crates I have came from, I don't ever remember hijacking a milk truck and looting it of crates, but somehow I have a bunch. Where do they come from? Joe H
*I always keep a spare empty bucket in the truck. they are the greatest trash cans for small jobs or just to throw my cigarette butts in so I don't leave any on the ground. other than that they are packed with tools, one with the fancy pockets, the rest without.
*Those 5 gallon buckets make a great addition to any ice fishing rig. I recall as a kid that I "found" four of them, used my sisters roll up plastic snow boards and with some lumber, made a box on top of the snow board and with the buckets inside, I and my dad were all set. Over time I made a couple of seat cushions and all we needed for a day on the ice was in that ice fishing sleigh. Does anyone know if St. Peter has the web? Dad, if your reading, those were the best times.
*Used to have a girl friend that had what was called a "fifty-thousand dollar bookcase". The milk crates that supported the boards had warnings stamped on them something to the effect of - fine of up to xx thousand dollars for unauthorized use.The milk crates you mention are probably property of the milk company or distributor named there. Am not sure if there is a deposit on them however.Like the idea of beer coolers and sawhorses. I warned a friend working on a pro bono project when he was using his brand new metal cooler as a sawhorse. He was quite proud of the cooler as it was a gift, but was quite embarrassed when he cut into it a few minutes later with a skil saw.Should have used plastic buckets! If you cut it or the lid blows off on the freeway, no big deal.Am wondering if anyone has tried making a wall rack of sorts with old buckets. Either attached to each other or to the wall (screws) they might be good for holding short pieces of wood or pipe. Only problem is the taper of the bucket tends to be awkward.
*When Im not using them to practice the drums on I use them for mixing thin set, grout ect.
*topcover for pilings on the boat dock, fill with cement and use as anchor, screw you boots to them and use as stilts( osha loves these). use as sandcastle forms chuck one with lid on to drowning person as life preserver.
*The saddest use I've ever seen for the illustrious 5 gallon bucket is as a rescue aid at the WTC.
*Temporary home for all the wee creatures that "followed me home dad, can we keep it ?".
*Cleveland Browns fans could use them year after year instead of those bags they wear over their heads. Probably save more than one tree that way.
*Have also seen them used in Baha, Mexico to haul concrete. Seems to be the preferred method. Small powered mixer onsite, concrete hauled up ladders in 5 gallon buckets.Don't forget using them upside down for diving helmets, although they are hard to hold down without weights.In a related area, the 55 gallon blue food grade plastic barrels are fun too. Can be used for trash cans, water barrels, pond filters, floats for rafts, planters, small boats etc. They a pleasure to cut with a power saw. Even made a vacuum with two to move dirt from under a house. Although it clogged frequently and was rather dusty outside. Any moisture seems to cause buildup at corners of fittings.
*I've even seen them used to store over 4 gal.s of fresh joint compound! Jeff
*I almost forgot my favorite use of a five gallon bucket- temporary ( or permanent) truck seat while real one is being repaired.
*Good point Alan. I'll never look at a mud bucket the same way again.U.S.A. ALL THE WAY
*Gary- The steel 55 gallon drums when filled with concrete and burried below the frost line (in NE), made a great foundation for my dads barn. As for the 5 gallon buckets I've seen people cut the bottoms off and put them around tomato plants. I believe as the plant grows they add soil and the stalk becomes more supported. Just guessing though.
*Those plastic 55 gallon barrels don't work that great as burn barrels though.
*Someone in my family 'poached' some fish to stock our pond with. The escort vehicle was a plastic five gallon bucket.I know how I got most of my milk crates! About a dozen of them werre in trade for doing a favor. Another eight or so came from the dump on the day after the law went into effect that made possesion of them a criminal offense. I saw throwing them away as a moral offense and rescued them. A couple weeks later there were about twenty more in the dump so I took them to the local store where they must've come from. It was after hours so I left'm out back on the loading dock wherer they usually were kept. Next week, the same ones werre up at the dump! So I've got a lifetime supply now.
*blodgett, you are crazy! LOL
*
As a tightwad, I'm thinking of that Taunton Press should make a gift book for the holidays. Titled something like "Fine Drywall Buckets" or 101 uses for Drywall Buckets, or Idiot's Guide to Plastic Paint Buckets.
Its amazing what can be done with them.
Tool boxes (with or without the fancy nylon pockets or plastic dividers)
Seats (with or without the special "bucket seat" top)
Step stool (for the lightfooted)
Porta potty (last resort)
crawlspace excavating
basement sump area for sump pump
beer brewing
fetchin' water
temporary sink
parts boxes (for fittings etc.)
dumbwaiter
Any other ideas on what they can (or shouldn't) be used for?
(or should I get a life?)