Crush this!

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So my parents go through a decent amount of pop cans, and we tend to hang onto them and turn them in for value at the scrapper.  Why not make a little money back.Well my parents are gettin up there in age, and manual can crushing just isn't working anymore on the old elbows. So I decided after seeing a youtube video of a couple of can crushers to go ahead and make my own for them for xmas.Test fitting:Add some supports to the back plate:I had to do a lot of work on the hole to get the cans to fall through, but not to go through before it get's crushed.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Just gettin fancy:Solenoid mounting plate:Back plate weld close ups:She is getting there:Over view:JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Solenoid mount location:Everything getting mounted:So I hit a BIG BIG BIG snag 2 days before show day (yesterday).  The solenoid I ordered was a 24VDC, which I never thought would be so hard to find a power supply for.  Well, I go to Radioshack and get a 24V power supply... not thinking about the fact that the guy handed me an AC power supply (DOH!!!)  Thank god I metered it before I tried hooking it up :-)So what should I do...  build a rectifier.  And viola, 24VAC to 24VDC.Should get some video of it soon :-)I'm not happy with some of my welds, as I was really rushing to get something together as the "design phase" got a little longer than I expected and I severely underestimated my time :-(.I still need to mount the power receptacle, and clean things up.  Also I would like to paint it black to prevent rust or anything like that.  And I also need to make a trash can clamp so the crusher can just sit on top of the trash can we use to collect the cans.  (Also need to add a hopper)JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Cool project.  Obviously we're gonna need to see a video of it in action....When you were looking at different ones on youtube, did you see the guy that had made a baler for alum cans?? Thats what I want to build!!
Reply:That cylinder looks awfully small. I hope it has enough force to crush a can. I had to use a larger cylinder on mine but it was a few years ago and don't remember what size it was.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Fun project, Jobie.  Show us some pics when you get it working.Contrary to popular opinion, I do NOT have a pet turkey that craps molten steel.  It's a goose.
Reply:One of the guys i know built one The problem was that trying to crush the cylinder perfectly square would not work with the small air ram he hadTrying to crush straight will not work because the force is evenly distributed so we added a small piece of angle to crumple it on one side and it workedAnything that would put the pressure on one side first to weaken the cylinders  structural integrityBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I want to see it running also. I want to set up a Solenoid for mine.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by bottlefed89Cool project.  Obviously we're gonna need to see a video of it in action....When you were looking at different ones on youtube, did you see the guy that had made a baler for alum cans?? Thats what I want to build!!
Reply:Power supplies.http://condorelectronics.net/BTW I have a radioshack 24v ~ 25v AC powersupply. The current rating is in spanish. Its 750ma in and 2A out. If you pull more than 2A on the output. You will fry it. I use 2A quick blow fuses on the output.ThermalArc 161STL TIG/Stick (160amp)Lincoln weld-pak 100 (fluxcore)4X6 Enco bandsaw10" skillsaw with metal blade for 45degrees (works)4" grinderWeld for fun. Very rare I do it for Money.
Reply:Originally Posted by FunnyDreamPower supplies.http://condorelectronics.net/BTW I have a radioshack 24v ~ 25v AC powersupply. The current rating is in spanish. Its 750ma in and 2A out. If you pull more than 2A on the output. You will fry it. I use 2A quick blow fuses on the output.
Reply:Just a thought, that soul plate you are pushing against on the end needs some holes in it  to allow the air in the can to escape otherwise it is somewhat captured. You then need to put the cans in with the hole in the top towards that plate. You'll be amazed how much easier it works.
Reply:are you going to use a "two hand safety on switch" ....just saw a mandatory OSHA training film and the guy was using an oil can crusher and wasnt paying attention and was loading them quickly and turning it on with one hand loading it with the other.....he is short one finger nowbobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnJust a thought, that soul plate you are pushing against on the end needs some holes in it  to allow the air in the can to escape otherwise it is somewhat captured. You then need to put the cans in with the hole in the top towards that plate. You'll be amazed how much easier it works.