Can Opener 2.0

[sossol]

When I was a kid my brothers and I would puncture spray paint cans (usually empty) with a screwdriver and a hammer to extract the marble. The can sat on cardboard and was covered with a rag in case anything more than propellant came out. Usually the marble was plain glass, but occasionally it was multicolor.

Neil

Nice work, and smart!
I've punctured 100's of spray paint cans. I worked in road construction and we got marking paint by the case. I always held the empty can down on its side with my boot and gently swung the tip of a machete or corn knife into the side of the can. I used the dull side of the knife tip for the impact. Any remaining paint would be in the down side of the can and very little would ever come out of the puncture hole. Only a small puff of propellant comes out of the puncture. If anyone was interested in the marble, a twist of the knife would enlarge the hole. I never had a mishap or even a mild scare using that method. I only did that with EMPTY (no paint left) cans. I have never tried it on anything but paint cans, but I think that I'll experiment with some empty brake cleaner cans. My son has an auto repair shop and there is a heaping barrel of empties that he cannot put in the dumpster.

[desbromilow]

here are some photos of the can venting machine I put together as a trial for work.
the main features include:
a) that the door must be closed/ locked so the spike can pass through to the can
b) the spike must be withdrawn before the door can be opened
c) the door acts to divert any expelled material
d) the floor of the can space can be adjusted so the venting occurs in the space just under the top rim of the can - the pieces interlock with each other, and the base of the unit so are labelled to avoid issues.
e) the door can be removed (lift the hinge pin out) in the event of a jam or failure
f) the spike has a replaceable tip (grade 12 SHCS shaft, or Stainless steel - I made 2 types) and has a groove so it cannot seal the pierced opening

[DIYer]

Thanks desbromilow! We've added your Can Venting Machine to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: desbromilow's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Can Venting Machine by desbromilow

tags: spray can