Cheap Darren Drums?

TLH

Active member
Hi All,

Does anybody know where may be cheapest to buy the white tubs with red screw-top type darren drums?  They seem to be quite expensive for what they are in caving shops!

Thanks,
TLH.

 

Blakethwaite

New member
If you think of them in terms of the value of the items they'll protect (cameras, wallets, keys, corned beef sarnies etc) then they aren't really that expensive.

Cheaper ones did use to appear on ebay however.
 

Antwan

Member
JSR farms put them on ebay from time to time for ?5

Used once there in 'as new' condition, only down side is they get used to transport pig sperm and random genetics material, hence they can only be used once.

Nothing on there at the moment though
 

jarvist

New member
Generic name is 'Wide Neck Keg' - they're a UN standard (disaster relief?).

Key online have the complete range, once you have an account they seem to start sending you '?50 off if you spend ?100' vouchers, which make for really quite cheap Darens. The website is also useful as they have dimensions of the different sizes.

http://www.key.co.uk/wide-neck-kegs_338462002010264760.html

Beware mixing 'new' (Curtec) and 'old' (Merck?) Daren drums, as they have different thread widths for the lids.
 

Maj

Active member
Who'd have thought there would be a video produced by Curtec on the opening, closing and moving of Curtec (Daren) drums, inc the use of special tools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9lx4SqsvQo


Maj.
 

aricooperdavis

Moderator
I did a Daren trip recently and must have overtightened mine as they both leaked, as did those belonging to another member of the party!
 

Maj

Active member
Daren Cilau is tough on Daren drums and any other kit for that matter. I've broken one of the tabs/handgrips off the lid of one of my drums, through the entrance crawl I suspect. I now put the bottom drum upright whilst the top one is upside down in the tackle bag (ie lids together in the middle). I then wrap/tube the drums in a sheet of corrugated plastic (the type that house "For Sale" boards are made of) held together with a snoopy loop. This protects the drums, gives the tackle bag a rigid uniform cylindrical profile which helps to prevent snagging without adding any significant bulk and if the worst should happen the corrugated sheet would make a good splint.

After each trip I clean my drums paying particular attention to the lid & drum threads and the large "O" ring seal which also gets a light smear of silicone grease. I've never had a drum leak on me yet (fatal statement I know  :-\) during the countless Daren camps I've done.

A couple of times I've struggled to open a drum, I've put this down to a partial vacuum due closing the drum in the warm at Whitewalls and then opening in the cool at Hard Rock and perhaps on earlier trips a little grit on the threads.

If worried about water ingress the drum could be wrapped in industrial clingfilm (pallet wrap). When I took my my sleeping bag in some 10+ years ago I squeezed it into a daren drum, although due to it bulging and the internal convex profile of the lid I was only able to partially screw the lid on and certainly the seal didn't meet the rim of the drum. I wrapped the drum in pallet wrap and knew it was a gamble. At Hard Rock Gonzo watched with much anticipation as I unpacked my sleeping bag, saying that it'll be wet and if it fits in a drum it won't be warm enough. Alas he was pleasantly disappointed, my sleeping bag was bone dry and it's been plenty warm enough  :) .

 
Maj.
 

aricooperdavis

Moderator
mikem said:
On the way in or out?

Mine on the way out, his on the way in!

The silicone grease is an excellent tip Maj, as is putting the two lids together when you slide them into your tackle sack - I've noticed that the handles took a bit of a beating this time, thanks. (y)
 

PaulW

Member
for extra protextion from water ortleib do a dry bag that is the perfect size for 2 daren drums they are a perfect fit. i have also wraped in and old foam camping mat for protection. this is what i have done for camera kit in the past
 
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