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pvc cryptex- easier bigger and watertight


Kipk9

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so i have been wanting to start building cryptex from pvc pipe and on the internet, alll the internal locked cryptex instructions are based on an internal tube of 3/4 inch which is fine but small and notaprticularly watertight. you also have to do a lot of sanding so each tube fits (basically four tubes). i have been giving this some thought about how to make it bigger and easier to make....then due entirely to a coincidence in which i was building a pvc conduit in the garden for electrical cable under the grass, i came across an perfect solution...a length expandable grey electrical conduit ( not schedule40 pvc) pipe to base a larger diameter cryptex on. these can be found at lowes in the electrical ( not plumbing) section for about seven bucks..the 8 inch length variable conduit tube also has two watertight seals vetweenthe inner and outer tube for electrical conduit... it is not schedule 40 pvc but slightly smaller. amazingly i found this fits perfectly into 2 inch schedule 40 pvc pipe.....which can then fit into 2 inch pvc coupling. the great things about a crptex made from these pipes similar to the standard plans are... 1).you can use the instructions on thegeocache site for a cryptex but there is no need to sand/ shimmy down any of the four tubes..... 2 ) the internal rings of the codex is made of2" pipe, the external in made of 2" couplings. 3) the inner grey expandable two tube set is water sealed due to two rurbber gaskets. 4) the internal tube is 1.5", double the size of the posted andusually followed cryptex instructions. you can now have atube for small treasures. 5) the lock is internal not external as seen with most bigger tube plans. 6) endcaps made of 2 inch pipe ends with an internal 2" pipe piece glued to the 1.5 inch electrical cable

 

if this is gobbledygook. post or email me and ill try to posti pics

kipk9

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I am highly interested in the conduit tube originally discussed in this thread. I however could not find anything at lowes fitting the description. So I took the info about looking in the electrical dept and came up with the following. Please keep in mind pics were almost an after thought and my tools were approx 20 miles away, so I roughed this out using what i had on hand.

This also allows inner tube to be 1-1/2" inner diameter

 

Tools: skillsaw, hacksaw and rotozip (dremel) a bandsaw or miterbox would have made it easier and prettier.

purchasedfrom lowes:

(4) 2-1/2" conduit couplers (electrical dept)

(1) 2-1/2" electrical conduit, (black pvc) (unfortunately 10' long, still it was only around $12)

(1) 2" sch 40 pipe segment form lowes (approx 4' long when bought)

** 2" pvc coupler shown in pictures was not needed**

(1) 1-1/2" sch 40 pipe segment form lowes (approx 4' long when bought)

(1) 1-1/2" pvc pipe cap.

(1) 2" pipe cap

(1) 2" to 1-1/2" adapter, Slip fit on both ends.

 

1. start by cutting 2-1/2" conduit couplers in half (cut couplers image) (these are the finished parts that get lettered 2" wide)

2. cut the 2-1/2" electrical conduit into rings half as wide as the cut couplers (1" wide).

3. cut a segment out of the 2-1/2" electrical conduit ring approx 1/2 wide.

4. place cut ring into the outer 2-1/2" conduit coupler ring that were cut in step one.

5. glue them in place so they are flush on one end

6. cut 2" pipe with a 1/2" slot over the entire length

7. glue cap onto 2" pipe.

8. cut cap with a notch 1/2" long to match slot on tube (2" tube with cap pic)

this allows last key to be the same, and cover the cap to help keep dirt and water out.

9. build inner tube with bolts sticking out. I placed one on the very end to fit the notched cap, then measure out where all the other need to be placed.

10> CHECK FITMENT OF INNER TUBE WITH ALL THE KEYS INSTALLED SO THAT EVERYTHING SPINS.

11.remove keys

12. install " to 1-1/2" adapter ( no glue) and cut notch all the way through adapter to match 2" tube.

13. install keys, innertube and adapter and test for fitment and free spin, before glueing on adapter.

 

sorry this is quick and dirty to to time constraints

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so making a cryptex requires four tubes, each fitting inside each other. the key item you need to make the cryptex talked about above (sorry it took so long to get back) is a carlon e945g 1 1/4 expansion pipe fitting this has two tubes one fitting inside the other. i use this to form the two two inner tubes according to the well known cryptex design however since this fitting is exactly 1.971 inch wide it slides into a 2" schedule 40pvc pipe, so the outer rings of a cryptex are made from 1/4"sections of 2" pipe, glued inside the outer ring, composed of a 2" pipe coupling piece of 1/2"width. all fit together with no sanding needed! use these according to the classic cryptex instructions.

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As an electrician we use these for pipe that may need transition from inside to outside or from out of the ground, pipe that might move with temperature change and frost.

It is called, "expansion pipe". If you can't find it at your local hardware store, try your electrical supply store. In Canada we have Nedco.

It also comes in various sizes from 1/2 inch up to 4 inch. good luck.

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i noticed the length on the e945g piece is slightly shorter then then lengths of the internal tubes called for in the initial instructions. Im guessing this requires some changed in other measurements too? i made one of the original ones but it was stolen... working on a new one but wanted to make it bigger... also i thought i saw that the bigger one will be 3" diameter... does that mean the end caps should be 3" caps? thanks for any info you can provide!

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