My Review of 3M Wetordry Bucket (3M ID# 02513), Continued
Part 2
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When I left the 3M bucket was compressed with the top of the sides touching. After releasing the clamp it actually regained its original shape:
Another nice feature is the protected tips of the handle, which by the way, would be difficult to dislodge from the molded attachment points.
Now for the "wet" part of the Wetordry Bucket. I filled the bucket with tap water to just below where the insert sits (8.5" from bottom of bucket). That amount was close to 280 oz.---2.2 gallons (approx)---8.8 qts (most smaller buckets are usually "quart-sized"). To further assure myself of the above amounts, I used the Volume of a Cylinder Formula where: V=pi x (rxr) x h
V=3.141592 x (4.375x4.375) x 8.5
V=511.12 cubic inches
Since one gallon of water is 231 cubic inches. Then therefore division will give us 2.2121212 gals. (The magic marker line is
the water level).
I also calculated the weight of the bucket filled to that level.
One lb. of water weighs 8.34 lbs., times 2.2=18.35 lbs. I weighed it on an old scale that's probably off a little, as proven here. (I swear that no water containing deuterium or tritium was used in this review!)
The bucket/handle does seem strong enough for the job:
The next photos represent some buckets and a food storage container...all of some sort of plastic make-up. This is an important issue for recycling. Due to space limitations this...
http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html will/should inform you of plastics' make-up and recycling symbols, for/in the United States. Some depicted here have symbols, some don't.
In Summary:
Pros:[/U]
-Lightweight
-Durable
-Flexible
-Job specific design (wet-sanding)
-Handy-Dandy tray for sanding paper/blocks/etc.
-I believe: This could be used for a variety of purposes
Cons:
-Once located (3M Marine Products Line) it seemed to be only available through 3M's web-sites
-Cost: (According to 3M web-sites) Around $34.35 {(if bought in lots of 10) (I'm sure AGO can reduce this amount)} LOL
-No molded in pouring spout
-No recycling symbol/type of plastic
All-in-all: A very nice, well-made bucket, (BTW red as a beet), specifically made for wet-or-dry sanding. IMHO...One can use this bucket for other wet-or-dry purposes.
Note: 3M is a world-wide company with facilities all across the globe. They have control of where they have their products manufactured...and their products are usually quite good. This seems to be no exception.
I know I strayed somewhat from my usual succinct, and to the point, postings

, but I hope you enjoy this review. If there are any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU goes to Nick in helping me to facilitate this review.
Bob