Trying to make my mini-PSK cover as many possible situations as possible, but without breaking my very limited budget, I was stymied over a way to get some water purification tablets into the Altoids mints tin. A regular sized bottle of Potable Aqua (the only kind of water purification tablets I have ready access to) would not fit. The small glass vials recommended by Doug in his article on repackaging Potable Aqua were not available - at least I could never get an answer from the vendor. Local pharmacies came up blank. Ditto local hospitals (and I was getting tired of the strange looks I was getting).
One web site, C.L. Morgan, http://www.clmorgan.com/gvial.htm#tiny , has some really, really tiny glass vials. The 1-inch tall amber vial (model V-3) holds 18 Potable Aqua tablets nicely. I got around the Teflon seal problem by putting a length of Teflon plumber's pipe tape over the top of the vial before screwing the lid down. We'll see how it holds up, but I am satisfied for the moment - I have some water treatment capability now, there is a bit more room in the Altoids tin, and I have a more well-rounded kit.

Maggot,
two or three ideas. If you can look up someplace like NASCO ; FLINN or FREY SCIENTIFIC supply companie on the internet, you can order about 50 at a time. I know that is too many, but that is one way. Another, possibly more feasible way is to visit local science or agriculture teachers at the local high school and see if they would sell you a seed specimen bottle or two. They range in size up to a Portable Aqua bottle. Any way, good luck finding what you need.

you might find what you want at american science and surplus. i think the addy is www.sciplus.com
great place to find the oddball stuff that you need sometimes

You know, I ran across that same site and they look to have just the right vials. One thing strikes me about the site, though. Let's see, they sell small Ziplocs, glass vials, and balloons (and they emphasize availability of clear balloons). Doesn't that sound like the perfect inventory for packaging illegal drugs for the street? Seems fishy.

*chuckles to self* Since that's another thing I could never afford .... Actually, they were very helpful, and actually sent me some samples when I expressed a desire to buy just a couple of vials. I for one did not know that Ziploc bags could be made THAT small and still work (some were about the size of my pinkie finger), and as I said before, the tiny glass vials fit great in my Altoids tin. Since I could not locate any local suppliers, don't have the time to run around seeking alternate sources, and the one Doug cites in his article on repackaging Potable Aqua never responded to queries, the C.L. Morgan company sure came through!