2 Broken Glass Vials in 2 Weeks?

[Crookedrecords]

I've had the bottoms fall out of two glass vials in about just as many weeks and it wasn't because it was too full of gold. Am I doing something wrong? Both vials were the 4oz size I believe, both had a little gold in them, and both were filled with water. The only things that I can think of are that they may be substandard vials or that you aren't supposed to have them filled with water.

In the first instance I was holding the vial sideways in my hand looking at the gold. I like the fact that the water magnifies the flakes. I felt a tiny speck on the side of the vial that i thought might have been an imperfection in the glass and when i went over it with my fingernail the whole bottom came off and all the water ran out. Luckily the vial was sideways and I don't think I lost any.

Later I transferred that same gold to a similar vial and had it in my center console today because I had taken it to my prospecting club's meeting last night. When I looked at it today the bottom had broken off and it had spilled out into my cup holder. I think the water may be expanding with the temperature change and breaking the vials.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

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[bigfish31]

Maybe a bad batch of glass. Never had that happen.

 

[mlayers]

I never had that happen either. that is why you should use plastic....Matt

 

[Lookin]

You might want to consider plastic vials or other non-glass alternatives. I know more than one person who has taken their weekend finds to work come Monday morning only to have the boss drop the glass vial on the concrete floor. And bosses wonder why employees think they are a**^&$@*! It really sucks being down there on the floor trying to find your efforts of the weekend spread across the shop floor.

I've had glass vials freeze and break, but not just out of the blue.

Plastic doesn't break like that. I've gotten to the point that I keep mine in an old 35 mm camera film case. For the nuggets that won't fit (which are none so far), I have other storage devices. Nix the glass.

Good luck,

Lookin

 

[strickman]

if you use glass it will happen sooner or later.had a friend years ago drop his in a creek with almost a full vial,good sized one to.broke on a rock-i thought he was going to cry.luckily i had my dredge running downstream,caught it all ,but i had been running for a couple of hours-all our gold got mixed-i gave it all to him-he got his back and a lot more.but would gladly do it again(just to keep from seeing a grown man cry) l.o.l.plastic is a lot safer way to go.but harder to show it off.

 

[flyspekau]

Happens a lot better stick with plastic I had one break in my pocket once if i have glass I put it in a larger plastic vial just incase.

 

[olepossum]

need to find the company that makes the plastic tubes before they are heated and made into 20 oz bottles have seen them on ebay last year not gor sure what te proper name for them is they are cool about 3-4 inches long about 1-2 round and have the neck with threads and a lid before they become full size 20 oz bottles my fatherinlaw said johnson controls a battery company used to make them hes not for sure if they still do if they do i have one here in town and will check up on it and see if i can get any .

 

[El Cooter]

I get a steady supply of the soda bottle vials from a friend that makes beer. The company uses them for yeast..The company info is, White Labs, 7564 Trade St. San Diego, Ca. 92121. Im sure they can tell you where to get them.. www.whitelabs.com



Cooter

 

[Crookedrecords]

Thank you all for the great info. I'll get in touch with that company. I'm in San Diego so that is convenient.

 

[Axgar]

when i bought some that happened to me as well. mine was sitting on the shelf inside of my desk and when i was ready to transfer some gold to it i noticed it was shattered. nothing bumped it nothing stepped on it ... it just broke... all i can think of is i over filled it with tap water and the gasses expanded or some other crazy notion and pop !! i moved it down to the half ounce and have not had any probs .. mine was a 1 oz size.

Axgar

 

[Bonaro]

Hydraulics 101 - fluids do not compress well
If you FILL the glass vial with water then warm it up, the water will expand. Since water does not compress well and because it has warmed and expanded to become a larger volume, something has to give. Fortunately gases like air do compress well.

The fix - always leave a bubble of air in your vial and so long as you dont fumble it, it will never break

Leave the plastic vials in the bargain bin. They easily scratch and become useless

 

[kuger]

I get a steady supply of the soda bottle vials from a friend that makes beer. The company uses them for yeast..The company info is, White Labs, 7564 Trade St. San Diego, Ca. 92121. Im sure they can tell you where to get them.. www.whitelabs.com



Cooter

Hey Coot,I guess I never asked ya where to get those!!!!I have been trying to get my hands on them for a while now,but the only places I found required ordering a lot.I talked to a mutual freind the other night and we worked out a deal.I have 330 of them coming!Anybody interested in buying let me know.$3.00 each plus shipping,they hold four ounces.

 

[bigfish31]

I found this one on a job site. I think they had "different" nuggets in it.

 

[kuger]

That will work!I still havent filled the big one you sent me Fish,but I am getting ready to try!