Aluminum can crusher

[Poboy kartman]

So....I've kinda got into recycling aluminum cans......I've figured out how to amass huge quantities in my spare time. .....but there is a problem.....

There are all these tall cans nowadays....24 and 25 oz. Beer cans....Arizona iced tea...and energy drinks......

They don't fit in my $8 can crusher!!!!! So....I can build one.... (better than I can buy.....BUT!!!.....if anyone knows where I can buy one....I would rather do that.....

Please help. ...the tall cans are piling up.....and if I weighed more than 150 lbs.....I'd probably just step on them....but I have to stomp HARD without weight to aid in the process. ...

So before I spend a day building something I can buy for $20...can a Poboy get a break?????

 

[Poboy kartman]

BUT.....Another idea I'm kicking around is a compactor.....now this would reduce a 3.5' × 3' down to around 2' × 3'...this wouldn't be be with whole cans but already crushed ones....

Kinda like a garbage compactor.....

I have some ideas. ...but I'm open to suggestions....

Thanks guys.....

 

[HighTechRedneck]

Here is a 16oz can crusher. Don't know about the quality though...http://www.harborfreight.com/16-oz-can-crusher-46406.html

EDIT: Sorry thats the largest I could find for cheap And it doesn't work for your cans... Heres something like your trash compactor idea..www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WqrLAE7VZw

 

[Poboy kartman]

Yeah. ...that's kinda the idea....I think that's a modified log splitter.....then again. ....I don't want to spend 5years worth of can income on a startup machine. ....

But thanks for the reply.....

 

[n3480h]

Hmmm, seems like the gas + machine cost + maintenance would cost more than the aluminum would scrap for. Maybe ~$0.70 a pound? But hey, maybe you could first build a hydrogen extractor and storage cell to power that engine.

On the other hand, you could do 4 at a time if you just put them under your car's wheels every time you go somewhere. You could even toss 'em into the street and let other people run over them, for zero cost. You'll be rich in no time.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Yeah. ....I'm creeping up on a hundred pounds. ...I don't generally pick up run overs....trash can be inside...and grit gets smashed into the sides.....

I'm trying to recycle super clean cans....although. ...I'm thinking about doing a separate stash of trash cans.....

 

[java230]

This one is pretty slick. and looks to be far less$$ to build.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLJgQUiXHV0

 

[landuse]

This one is pretty slick. and looks to be far less$$ to build.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLJgQUiXHV0

Now THAT is a good idea

 

[BirdFanatic]

Why build a can crusher ? just turn them in.

 

[2SlickNick]

1000 compacted cans fit much better in your truck, than whole cans.

 

[Poboy kartman]

1000 compacted cans fit much better in your truck, than whole cans.

Yeah. ..that's why I have the idea of further compacting them into bricks....the more you can haul at once reduces fuel costs and maximizes return on time invested in travel. ...

A pick-up bed full of uncrushed cans would COST me money to turn in.....

Unless....my truck ran on water....

Edit: I'm afraid I'm not going to make any money on this anyway. ....I've only been to this scrapyard a couple of times. ...and I've never cashed in cans....

But I have a funny feeling. ....that I will be lucky to break even. ...because I also haven't bought anything there yet.....and I'm afraid I can find TOO many cool things in the yard.!!!!!!

 

[Poboy kartman]

This one is pretty slick. and looks to be far less$$ to build.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLJgQUiXHV0

Now that would be worth building instead of buying...

Thanks a bunch for that! !!!!

I think my $8 hand crusher just became obsolete. ....

 

[machinist@large]

Why build a can crusher ? just turn them in.

Most State's still don't have deposit law's; the debate below is between folks from those.

1000 compacted cans fit much better in your truck, than whole cans.

Yeah. ..that's why I have the idea of further compacting them into bricks....the more you can haul at once reduces fuel costs and maximizes return on time invested in travel. ...

A pick-up bed full of uncrushed cans would COST me money to turn in.....

Unless....my truck ran on water....

Edit: I'm afraid I'm not going to make any money on this anyway. ....I've only been to this scrapyard a couple of times. ...and I've never cashed in cans....

But I have a funny feeling. ....that I will be lucky to break even. ...because I also haven't bought anything there yet.....and I'm afraid I can find TOO many cool things in the yard.!!!!!!

 

[OzFab]

Now THAT is a good idea

Now that would be worth building instead of buying...

Thanks a bunch for that! !!!!

I think my $8 hand crusher just became obsolete. ....

I saw that one too... now all I need is a low RPM motor; any ideas?

 

[BirdFanatic]

i guess you can go at it that way but why make the toy that spends more money then you make when the point is to make money not spend it ?

 

[karte_m0lim]

car wipers motor ... or any other motor with reductor ...

or, if you want, keep rpms and put can quickly ..

 

[n3480h]

How about an old electric garage door opener? They are geared down and can generate some torque. That and a 100 can top-loading magazine . . . and you'd have a beast.

 

[Poboy kartman]

I saw that one too... now all I need is a low RPM motor; any ideas?

Jackshaft. ....higher torque.....adjustable rpms.....

 

[itsid]

Aaaaallllll wroooooong...

a small aluminium furnace,

recasting Manco and Rupp wheels... making custom steering wheels etc.

Doug.. you know I'm right

'sid

 

[firemanjim]

Aaaaallllll wroooooong...

a small aluminium furnace,

recasting Manco and Rupp wheels... making custom steering wheels etc.

Doug.. you know I'm right

'sid

Could we really do that? Wouldn't you need to add other chems to make it an alloy, stronger? If I can melt down cans and pour my own wheels, well, that might be a nifty winter project..... Cast wheel halves, then mate them by weight, then balance them......