creativity needed

[Normspeed]

I want to mount a small vintage oilcan under the hood, preferably on the firewall. This is a tiny sewing machine type oilcan, 3 to 4" tall overall, and only about 1 1/2" across at the base. I don't have any serious metal forming tools. I was thinking of perhaps making something with a vintage home built look, maybe using some type of old jar lid or something. I can put a small magnet in the base to keep the can in place. Cmon folks, give me some suggestions. Need a small base, round or square, vintage looking, with a vertical bracket to mount to the firewall.

[Reg Evans]

Here's how the military had it done in 41.

[Guest mike_D24]

I can put a small magnet in the base to keep the can in place.

If you want a hold like none other: http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com I've used these for homemade tank bags. They're great. Watch your fingers or your name is blood blister.

As for a base, have you considered a slightly larger sewing oil can? I seem to recall them coming in a couple sizes, but I'm not sure if they just got taller or if the other dimensions changed as well. Also, some smaller Mineral Spirits cans may be able to fit what you're trying to do. They have those rounded edges that look like old Prince Albert cans...hey, actually...no too small. Anyway, you get the idea: halve a larger can, weld to fire wall, and afix the magnet to the bottom.

Whadaya think?

Mike

[Guest mike_D24]

Hey yeah. If you were going that route, then any cylindrical can would work.

Same magnet idea.

Mike

[Don Coatney]

I have an old Singer oil can that is made of brass. Magnet will not work. What do you plan on using the oil can for? Show only?

[Guest mike_D24]

Brass. Curses, I hadn't thought of that. Good catch. Mine is steel for sure.

Mike

[DutchEdwin]

If you are using a rear earth magnet, use a good one. They tend to break down slowly from the inside out and leave you with a heap of rear earth powder. It will do for a few years indoors but under the hood, with high temps and salt only a yellow zinc coat magnet will do. This problem of self destruction has been solved only one year ago.

I would go for a bracket and a smalll trunk clamp or bolt to hold it dow.

[Normspeed]

Great ideas, keep 'em coming. My oilcan is steel. I want it mostly for eye appeal but then again, there are oil cups on the generator, distributor, windshield wiper pivots.

[Guest mike_D24]

Eh. I'd say, then, put some heat shrink plastic on it. The rare-earth magnets sold at that sight are pretty darn robust and come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, the only concern I'd have would be from consistent vibration or opposing magnetic fields.

I'd have to agree on the clasp idea. How about something classy like a nice treated leather pouch or strap? If you're using the standard oil can style, you could always use a steel container with a lid that has a hole to allow for the nozzle to peek through.

Or you could use this:

[DutchEdwin]

Or you could use this:

Mike, is this what you call vintage :o

[Guest mike_D24]

Just paint it olive green and write something old tymey on it.

[Joel Torres]

Brass. Curses, I hadn't thought of that. Good catch. Mine is steel for sure.

Mike

cant ya glue the magnet on the bottom of the can?

[BobT-47P15]

Norm....do you ever just go looking at either a hardware store or some place like Lowes or Home Depot? I sometimes wander the aisles looking for items to do certain things for which they were not designed. Occasionally you run onto something, or get an idea to work with.

[Don Coatney]

Bob;

There is an "old time pottery" store in my hood where Lisa likes to go and spend my hard earned money. I sometimes go with her and brouse for things that I might use on my car.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Mike, is this what you call vintage :o

I like that holder but these oil containers were not around when our cars were built..we had glass jars from bulk fill or round cans that had to be opened with a church key or self puncturing oil spout. I would like to find that holder you diplay over here..I have yet to see one..I usually lay an extra plastic quart container as shown in your pic between the battery and the firewall.

[1just4don]

IF you are looking for a industrial strength magnet try looking in a farm machinery junk yard. Look for a grinder mixer,pull type and underneath the grain chute they will have a mother of all magnets or a few of them all attached to a strip of iron across which NO nail or other foreign iron material will slide. One of those attached to the firewall and anything with a side on it thats sticky to it is there for life!! most have places for two small bolts to keep them where they are supposed to be!! better have two hands to pull things off of it!!

Or I like the leather pouch idea with a snap to keep it where it belongs

[grey beard]

In my memory I recall that old horse drawn sickle bar mowers all had an oil can holder. Most of these oil cans had the thumb pump on one side, and the holder held onto the lip on the can bottom and the other side kept it tight against the holder - quite simple, really, and may be available at implement junk yards anywhere. Sure would look old timey, too.

[greg g]

I would bet you could still buy something like that at Tractor Supply Company or similar places.

[Guest mike_D24]

Hey, Norm, what about a sliding mechanism. Does your can have a rolled lip around the bottom? It may not be large enough, so you could always just weld a small piece of metal with the same shape and only slightly more surface area than the bottom of the can.

Then the holder sticks our perpendicularly from the firewall but it has a female plate with two parallel rolled edges. The can would slide under the rolled edges. Does that form a mental picture? The mechanics would be real simple and you can do it all yourself if you have a spot welder.

I'm trying to think of an example.

With brakes on the brain, the only image that comes to mind is that slide that holds the brake hose on to the metal plate fixed to the body.

Mike

[Normspeed]

No welder but I might look into making up some kind of slider. Also thinking of a small spring for a retainer.

[Charlie Olson]

Go to an antique hardware store or flea market and look for old ornate hinges, sconces, lamp holders etc, which you can super glue into whatever figure and then attach magnet to can and voila!