For this post I will be reviewing the Things from the Basement Storage Tank kit. This storage tank kit can be bought here: https://www.thingsfromthebasement.com/store/p318/Storage_Tank.html. It is important to note that the kit does not come with the actual storage tank, you’ll need to provide your own Chock Full O’ Nuts can for that. The website makes this perfectly clear but for the review it should be pointed out. The kit itself cost $9.50 and with a 10.3 oz. can of coffee costing about $5 you are all in for $14.50. That’s a pretty decent price!
If you put the ladder over the seam in the can this kit does a good job of hiding the fact that you are dressing up a can. The top circle of MDF covers the top and there is a circle of MDF that goes around the bottom helping to obscure the can’s folded bottom rim. When assembling the ladder, you need to be very careful popping out the safety rungs. I was able to get four of the five out safely and I broke the last one. I suppose these could be designed to be a little thicker but I could also be designed to be a little less forceful! I also managed to break off the top of the ladder when transporting it but I had a rather poor transport method so again this is my fault more than a design element.
I painted this kit using a bit of salt weathering and spray cans. I sprayed the can, the ladder and the base separately to speed up the process. I then glued them all together and used some washes, and sponge painting. All in all, it went together very quickly and except for waiting for the spray to dry it painted up quickly.
I highly recommend this kit as quick, inexpensive way of getting some nice industrial terrain on your table. You can pick this kit up from them online or at any of the HMGS East conventions as they are always hanging out in the vendor hall!
Things from the Basement also has a much larger, double can, kit for $26.50. It needs two 23 oz. cans at about $12. This makes the kit a bit more expensive at almost $50. I have the kit and one can so far, I’ll have to decide on the value once it’s together. https://www.thingsfromthebasement.com/store/p436/Double_Storage_Tank.html.
Final Note: I tried to drink the coffee from Chock Full O’ Nuts, figuring I now had some on had I should try to use it. I have to admit I thought it was terrible and after forcing down three pots (on three different days!) I threw the rest of the coffee out. If you happen to like the coffee the kits are an even better value for the money and the double can set would be totally worth it.
The Wachtmeister