Tutorial Using Costco Style Square Jugs

16 years ago

Tutorial ÂUsing Costco Style Square Jugs

Hi all, you may have noticed that Costco has introduced a whole new style of milk jug onto the scene.

Being a whole new form factor it presented me with a challenge on how best to modify it to suit wintersowing. You all may recall how I love these engineering experiments so I made up a new tutorial on how I addressed the new form.

The drain holes in the bottom are a given so I skipped that part.

First letÂs introduce the new player:
{{gwi:453164}}

The first thing I addressed was how to bisect it. IÂm not a fan of the "hinge" or "door" methods preferring to have two separate pieces so it was only a matter of where to cut.

Easy peazy. Using the indicated spot on the label gives me a bottom that slips into the top section just up to the point of the bottom of the handle:
{{gwi:453165}}

Small snip with the point of the scissor then all the way around gives you this:
{{gwi:453166}}

Now how to hold the two parts together for eventual transport and watering. I focused on the nice molded in channel that went al the way around the diagonal.

Logical place for a fastening system. So a slip the top over the bottom. Very easy and the molded in "channels" on the sides keep things perfectly aligned and the assembly sits dead flat.
{{gwi:453167}}

So what to use to fasten things??

Rubber band? Hard to find ones large enough.

WifeyÂs knitting gear catches my eye.

That could work. So I "requisition" a stray ball (hank? What is that term?) of yarn.

LetÂs keep that part to ourselves, OK

I cut off about a two foot piece and make a loop in one end.

A couple of tiny Â¼ " snips at the bottom edges (for control) and I run it under and around the assembled parts.

A simple slip knot through the previously mentioned loop and viola.
{{gwi:453168}}

This bottom view shows that the channel runs all the way around and makes a very secure wrap.
{{gwi:453170}}

I donÂt think it needs to be mentioned that you would put the soil and seeds in the bottom section before you tied it shut.

IÂm just sayinÂ you know in case you forgot

So there you go.

Another option.

Use as you will.

Share it, link it, tattoo it on your, well maybe donÂt go that far but feel free to disseminate it anyway you choose.

TilÂ we meet again,

Monte

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Comments (12)

aka_strawberrygoat
16 years ago
it's a skein of yarn...
day care centers also have the square milk containers..
they thought I was a bit loopy, when I asked them to save them for me...lol

now, I gotta begin again, for a new year of 'aquisitions'...
bailing hemp will also be good for the 'yarn'....
thankyou...
shinyalloy_5
16 years ago
I'd love that style of jug in a translucent. Haven't seen any like it in my area yet, but then again we haven't got a costco.
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kqcrna
16 years ago
Hi, Monte, long time no see.

Karen
luke_oh
16 years ago
Well, I guess that I thought that the jugs had to be translucent or clear. This jug looks like it is white. The dairies in my area are doing the same, claiming that the milk stays fresher with a solid color container. One is actually solid yellow. Is it ok to use the solid colored jugs? Thanks, Luke
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b
16 years ago
I, too, am wondering about how this looks like an opaque jug. This will be my first year. Any tips about sunlight and that opaque jug would be appreciated!

Deanna

P.S. That is a 1 gallon jug, right?
just1morehosta
16 years ago
I have used plastic coffee containers,they are red,and work fine,i do use a clear cover tough.
cAROL
kqcrna
16 years ago
I was wondering about lack of light, too. Have you ever used these yet Monte? And what about light?

Karen
Monte
Original Author
16 years ago
SkeinÂthatÂs it.

DoesnÂt come up much in my day to day conversation, thanks.

Hi Karen, I still pop in from time to time. IÂve found that once imaginary people get into your blood there a part of you for life.

As far as the opacity question they should be fine. They are not as opaque as the pics make it seem.

And there is some light that comes in through the top hole.

This will be the first time I'm using these particuler jugs. Updates will be posted later if needed.
stage_rat
16 years ago
Monte! You're back!

Do you know how many times your photo instructions have been mentioned, and sought? They've dropped off the pages. If you could repost them, that would be so helpful.

Did you create the Instructables site? When I saw it, my first thought was of your WS posts, which were before that site started, or at least I think so.

Thanks for this post on this new form of jug. You say they're not as opaque as they seem--can you see your thumb through the side of it?
pitimpinai
16 years ago
Monte! How are you? Haven't seen you post for so long.
Always enjoy your tutorials.
Thank you so very much.
Monte
Original Author
16 years ago
I'm back? Where was I?

Hope I had a good time. LOL

I'll look and see if I still have any previous "tutorial style" posts in my other computer.

I wish I could say I created the Instructables site but no.

I'm wishing that Santa will bring me a Flip video camera.

I he does I may do some You Tube things.
seedmama
16 years ago
Hi monte,
It's unlikely you'll remember me; I was a newbie the last time you were around. I loved reading your how-tos, and they saved me so much time. On several occasions, I had a brilliant idea to devise something from scratch, but I'd find where you had perfected it already.

Your mini blind container post was one of the very first I read when I joined the forum. I was trying to be green and opted not to print it out. Boy did I regret that one! As stage_rat mentioned, your posts have been much sought after. How many times did I search for "monte's mini blind containers" hoping they would magically fall back into the forum? After several years, I finally decided to create them from scratch. As it turns out, there's lots of flexibility in the measurements. (You already knew that.) I had good intentions of posting my own creations, and calling the post "Monte's mini-blind containers."

Anyway, I'm excited to see you posting, and can't wait to see what other creative stuff you share.

Seedmama