Another can crusher

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My father-in-law came with his old manual can crusher and wanted me to repair it, and after seeing what he had, (junk beyond repair) I told him to leave it and I would see what I could do.Well after seeing some of the pneumatic crushers some of you had built, I decided to build him one. I snapped a few pictures of it being built, but then he showed up while I was painting it, and didn't get to put it together. He was so excited he left with it, (paint still wet). I will get some pics of it installed and working when I go next weekend. Attached Images
Reply:That's pretty cool. And looks like you designed the stroke tall enough to crush those 24 oz. beers I am quite fond of....
Reply:Looks like all you need now is a case of beer to test it out!Miller Dailarc HF 250 Hobart 140
Reply:TaggedAwesome! I see it's designed to be used horizontally so the can drops out the bottom after it's smashed. I wanted to design one for multiple cans, but haven't come up with a great idea. But your's is very nice."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Nice. One of these days I need to build something like this.
Reply:I need to make one of these...My son isn't old enough to help daddy stomp on cans all afternoon long. Lol!Brad GeorgeCurrent Equipment:AIRCO Heliwelder IV 300Amp Model - Total Awesomeness!Old 120v Hobart Handler MIGVarious grinders, cutting tools, hammers, clamps, ect..."I'm an amateur welder with lots left to learn..."
Reply:Nice!!  I made one for the parentals, I still have a few more finishing touches on it.  I went with a spring return cylinder though.  It is a tad slow at times, depending on how long you are actuating for.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Do you have the source, make, model & price of the air cylinder?"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Automationdirect.comMine was a: http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/..._Bore/A24060SNHis is a pivot mount rear, mine was a non acting.They have all the specs for the different ones too... you can get ones that have more force, his looks like it has more force than mine does.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Every time I see one of these I just thing about how bad some kid could get themselves hurt.  If this thing was in a factory, it would have to be rigged up with double palm buttons.  I'm pretty confident that most people who build these are probably sensible enough to stay out of harms way but if you leave that thing hooked up all the time you opening the door that someone who doesn't know what this thing can do will get hurt.  Just something to keep in mind.Miller 250x & Lincoln V205-TSmith Oxy-Prop torch
Reply:Where did you get and what is the part number of the "VALVE/CONTROL" on the cylinder? I want one like that.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsWhere did you get and what is the part number of the "VALVE/CONTROL" on the cylinder? I want one like that.
Reply:Originally Posted by ChuckEvery time I see one of these I just thing about how bad some kid could get themselves hurt.  If this thing was in a factory, it would have to be rigged up with double palm buttons.  I'm pretty confident that most people who build these are probably sensible enough to stay out of harms way but if you leave that thing hooked up all the time you opening the door that someone who doesn't know what this thing can do will get hurt.  Just something to keep in mind.
Reply:Thanks Mine has two valves and is not user friendly. Do you like your set up?Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsThanks Mine has two valves and is not user friendly. Do you like your set up?
Reply:Jobie Spring returnHere is the link to the one I built the one valve bleeds the air off to atm.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=49552cajun welderThis is the valve the guy from the store thought might work.http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/...l&TxnNumber=-1What other part does your have?Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Thanks guys for the feed back. I only have a few minutes before I have to let my daughter have the computer to do her homework, so I'll try to answer all of your questions, but if I skipped some please don't hesitate to ask again.I bought the cylinder and valve ( 2" bore X 6" stroke double acting cylinder  max pressure 250 psi) from Grainger. The item number for the cylinder is 5ZEG6 and is $94.60, and the air valve item number is 4LB43 and is $60.90. Now that I have used it a little I think I could have went with a 1 1/2" bore, which would have been about $30.00 cheaper.Chuck you are right about kids that could get hurt really bad with this, and I'm planning to make a hopper out of expanded metal, so you could put maybe 12-15 cans from the top and let it gravity feed into the crusher without having to put your hands near the cylinder. Time to give up the computer. If I didn't answer all the questions I'll try to get on tomorrow.
Reply:I for one ( and I know there are more) appreciate the item numbers and source. I have been threatening to build one of these for years and I think now is the time. The hopper for multiple cans is a great idea especially considering the safety feature.  Thanks for posting.GeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:Stick-man, have you considered using an air treadle pump? That's what I was going to use, but it was more than I wanted to spend.
Reply:Originally Posted by geezerI for one ( and I know there are more) appreciate the item numbers and source. I have been threatening to build one of these for years and I think now is the time. The hopper for multiple cans is a great idea especially considering the safety feature.  Thanks for posting.
Reply:Originally Posted by cajun welderStick-man, have you considered using an air treadle pump? That's what I was going to use, but it was more than I wanted to spend.
Reply:I use the heel of my shoe -       No danger of kids hurting themselves with it       Doesn't take up any more room in the shop       Vents my frustrations       Price is right       Squashes can just as flat as the fancy machinesCut an MGB and widened 11" C4 Corvette suspension and LT1 Chevrolet power & 6 spd. Pictures here:Part 1http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,7581Part 2http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,22422
Reply:Originally Posted by cajun welderThe item number for the cylinder is 5ZEG6 and is $94.60, and the air valve item number is 4LB43 and is $60.90.
Reply:It can be done cheaper than what Cajun did... I think I halved his price, but I also used a smaller DIA cylinder.  Really all has to do with where you source the parts, and what you have laying around.Nothing wrong with a little bit of fun every now and then though..JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:I dont live in a state where we have to crush cans but I can't help but think this is a little overkill...  Do you guys let them accumulate then make a day out of crushing them? I always saw ads for the manual plastic ones that you keep in your kitchen. I don't think Suzy Homaker has a air compressor or hydraulic equipment handy though.  Not trashing your work, just uninformed, sweet setup though! I would love to make a fish eye die to punch out ends of round tubing with something like that FLASH ME.... I'm a welderOriginally Posted by Troy44BI dont live in a state where we have to crush cans but I can't help but think this is a little overkill...  Do you guys let them accumulate then make a day out of crushing them? I always saw ads for the manual plastic ones that you keep in your kitchen. I don't think Suzy Homaker has a air compressor or hydraulic equipment handy though.  Not trashing your work, just uninformed, sweet setup though! I would love to make a fish eye die to punch out ends of round tubing with something like that
Reply:Originally Posted by ian1386$150+ in materials just to crush cans? You guys must go through a lot of cans! It does look like a fun project though...good work!
Reply:Mine is for fun and science. I teach about air pressure and such.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by Troy44BI dont live in a state where we have to crush cans but I can't help but think this is a little overkill...  Do you guys let them accumulate then make a day out of crushing them? I always saw ads for the manual plastic ones that you keep in your kitchen. I don't think Suzy Homaker has a air compressor or hydraulic equipment handy though.  Not trashing your work, just uninformed, sweet setup though! I would love to make a fish eye die to punch out ends of round tubing with something like that
Reply:Originally Posted by cajun welderI could have done it cheaper, but I'm like Tim the Tool Man Taylor, more power. This was my first and I didn't know if the smaller bore would've been strong enough. We don't have to crush them either, but by smashing them it takes up less space and he doesn't have to make as many trips to the recycling center . My in-laws saves the cans until they have 4 or 5 big trash bags, then they crush them. They sell them a couple of times during the year and then at Christmas splits the money among the grand kids. They've been doing that for 21 years.Last year my 3 girls each got $100.00.
Reply:Originally Posted by ian1386Do you know approximately how much money it likely works out to per can? This thread made me realize that my office goes through probably a couple dozen cans a day and we're just putting it to the curb with the rest of the recycling. If that adds up to a few hundred over the course of the year I might start recycling them for charity or something...
Reply:Very nice smasher...........when i melt them down i think it takes about 30 cans to make a pound,,,,if I remember right. I melt them down and pour them into an ingot mold made from a chunk of 3 inch angle iron.If you see me running for no apparent reason, try to keep up:"Reality" What a concept!Miller Big 40 {1972} vintage, with 150 ft. of 000 leads, old Alaskan pipline welder.
Reply:I seem to recall the high point for us was .66 cents a pound, which was... well NICE!JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:A friend of mine told me it takes 34 cans to make a pound.  Don't know, never counted them. If that is the case, it sure does not take long to put together a few pounds.GeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun