Can Opener 2.0

[desbromilow]

For cans which are a bit "sticky" in the valve, I've grabbed another rattle can of clear coat, removed the nozzle from each and pressed the two tube ends together. The clearcoat can shoots a small amount of wet paint/ solvent/ propellant into the stuck can valve assembly and seems to free things up fairly well - the small amount of clear coat doesn't seem to affect the colour of the other can. - the stuck can is on the bottom, the clearcoat can is inverted - so it's more propellant than paint being transferred.

for venting empty cans - I use the spike end of my welding chipping hammer - then slice open the can with tinsnips, retrieve the marble and dip tube and recycle the rest. The chipping hammer allows me to point the vent away from the body, and "hook the shot" with the hammer backwards so any vent starts away from me.

dip tubes are handy for making small cable guides, bushings, and other uses. marbles if cleaned on a shop rag within 20 seconds of the can venting are perfectly clean,and are used for bribing children, or thrown in a jar in the shed for floral arranging.

Des

I have never seen a can explode, but I have had some where the tip will not spray no matter what I do. I tried to change tips and that didn't work either. When I go to puncture the can, there is a lot of pressure in it that has made a small hole about 3 times its size. I have heard stories, but don't know how true or not, but I want to make sure it doesn't happen.

[neilbourjaily]

Shot with a .22short (though now impossible to find). I've achieved some marvelous decreasing arc spirals of paint, shave cream. It's a lot of fun

[Texf1]

I would rather shoot it, but I live in the city and the gun ranges don't have a place for these kind of targets.

[Frank S]

Shot with a .22short (though now impossible to find). I've achieved some marvelous decreasing arc spirals of paint, shave cream. It's a lot of fun

the standard 22 shorts are hard to find but there are still the CBcaps available shorter than a short completely subsonic
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...ounds?a=476500

[tgood]

I use a hack saw and clamp the head section in a vise and cut a grove in the can to release the gas. I then cut off the top and salvage the marble inside to use as cargo on my train set.

[Philip Davies]

Hope that load is properly secured!

[mlochala]

I have a more practical way of doing it myself. I use a .177 caliber pellet rifle.

[carl blum]

Hi: That is a very nice job, and should be safe.
One suggestion would be to turn the box tubing on its edge, so the can would rest in a "V-Block" and not roll away from the puncher tool.
That said if a cylinder is to fail it is usually the long seam on the side, and punching the side might cause this. Your box tubing protects you then.
If I want more paint out of a spray can, I punch a hole in the edge of the top. Then I can use the Awl as a needle valve to let the pressure out. When the pressure is low, and this take a while since the propellant is in the paint, I punch a second hole. With two holes you can pour the paint out. Use it quickly, it is only good for an hour or so. I tried to save some in a jar and the paint volume was half the next day.
Stay safe! Carl.

[carl blum]

Hi Gang:
I guess I keep my spray cans too long, since they refuse to spray. I do puncture them, but never in the side. The side split is the classic failure of a cylinder pressure vessel. I use an awl and puncture the edge dip in the top. The can is very strong there and will not rupture from the hole. Then I slowly release the pressure by removing the awl. If it is paint I pour it out in a bowl and use it right away. The propellant is also the solvent and the paint will be hard in a day. I did this once with WD-40, it doesn't harden and I used the contents for over a year.
I guess if you made a fixture with a screw awl, you could pour some out and reseal the can??
Carl.

[paul_j]

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.