For someone who likes to fiddle with things, there are a lot of really high quality materials out there to fiddle with. When I first was presented with an Altoids tin, I was amazed by how powerful the mints were (whew!), now all I see is the tin, and try to think of new ways to use it.
The wonderful thing about creating new uses for this little ‘tin can’ is that because it is made from trademarked material there are few opportunities to ‘monetize’ this process. There is a wonderful purity of motives in the people who customize these things (there are few alternatives…).
For someone who carries a complete office around with me (in a little less than a gallon of volume) these small tins are incredibly useful. Without modifications I can easily use these tins to carry all of the small things (paper clips, earbuds, and even mints!).
If you are interested in delving deeper into this world here are some links to get you started:
Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove
http://www.instructables.com/id/Altoids-Tin-Alcohol-Stove
Curiously Hackable: 8 Awesome Altoids Tin Hacks
http://www.tested.com/news/curiously-hackable-8-awesome-altoids-tin-hacks/265
22 Manly Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin
http://artofmanliness.com/2011/01/30/22-manly-ways-to-reuse-an-altoids-tin
Make a Survival Kit out of an Altoids Tin
http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/survival/food/2006/08/make-survival-kit-out-altoids-tin-and-two-more-life-saving-diy-
Copper Plating and Etching Altoids Tins
http://steampunkworkshop.com/altoid-etch.shtml
How to Reuse an Empty Altoids Tin
http://www.wikihow.com/Reuse-an-Empty-Altoids-Tin
