Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work.

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  #1   Report Post  
Grant Erwin
 
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Default spray paint can question

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE
  #2   Report Post  
 
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Can we assume you have tried pulling the nozzle off and replacing it
with a fresh one from another can? Surely you have other spray cans. I
think any other way would result in paint all over yourself.

Paul in Redmond, OR

  #4   Report Post  
Ian Stirling
 
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Grant Erwin wrote:
Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?


Secure the can in a vice, base down.
Put bucket closely under vice.
Hammer small nail into the bottom of the can (wearing gloves).
Nail may shoot out (not violently) on its own, or may need to be pulled
out.
I doubt that the paint will work for brushing.
The absolute pressure inside the can is small - there is no risk of it
splitting, unless you heat it first to 50C or so.
  #5   Report Post  
Jordan
 
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Why make the hole at the bottom?
Wouldn't a hole at the top release the gas, without the paint?

Secure the can in a vice, base down.
Put bucket closely under vice.
Hammer small nail into the bottom of the can (wearing gloves).



  #6   Report Post  
Dave Hinz
 
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On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 07:08:22 +1000, Jordan wrote:
Why make the hole at the bottom?
Wouldn't a hole at the top release the gas, without the paint?


If it's upside down, the bottom _is_ the top. And the bottom is a much
better surface to try to pierce.
  #7   Report Post  
Jordan
 
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But he said, base side down?

Dave Hinz wrote:
On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 07:08:22 +1000, Jordan wrote:

Why make the hole at the bottom?
Wouldn't a hole at the top release the gas, without the paint?



If it's upside down, the bottom _is_ the top. And the bottom is a much
better surface to try to pierce.

  #8   Report Post  
Jeff Wisnia
 
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Jordan wrote:
But he said, base side down?

Dave Hinz wrote:

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 07:08:22 +1000, Jordan
wrote:

Why make the hole at the bottom?
Wouldn't a hole at the top release the gas, without the paint?




If it's upside down, the bottom _is_ the top. And the bottom is a much
better surface to try to pierce.


And it sounds like Jordan was trying to get the paint to **** out of the
bottom of the can and squirt into the bucket.

I'm skeptical, its sound from a physics basis, but likely to be VERY
messy. Especially trying to hammer a nail *upwards* at a location below
the workbench, with a bucket in the way no less.

And how 'ya gonna grip a spray can in a vise very well, unless you make
up some curved mating jaws out of 2 by 4s or something like that.

Fess up Jordan, have you *actually* done it that way yourself?

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."
  #9   Report Post  
 
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The "use a different nozzle from another can" is the easiest and
cleanest method, as long as the paint tube isn't clogged. However, if
you really need to depressurize the can, I would think you'd want to
punch the hole as far from the pool of paint as possible. Stand the
can upright on your bench, and leave it for awhile (15 minutes?), so
that all of the paint settles to the bottom of the can. With the can
standing upright, punch the hole in the metal top (but not where the
nozzle tube comes through). The smaller the hole, the better. The air
escaping from the small hole should not take much paint, if any,
through the hole, because the air isn't pushing paint towards the hole
in the top. When the pressure is gone, you can then use some kind of
tool to open the can and pour the paint into a small bucket or similar.

Or, maybe I don't fully understand how spray paint cans work?

  #10   Report Post  
Doug White
 
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Keywords:
In article .com, wrote:
The "use a different nozzle from another can" is the easiest and
cleanest method, as long as the paint tube isn't clogged. However, if
you really need to depressurize the can, I would think you'd want to
punch the hole as far from the pool of paint as possible. Stand the
can upright on your bench, and leave it for awhile (15 minutes?), so
that all of the paint settles to the bottom of the can. With the can
standing upright, punch the hole in the metal top (but not where the
nozzle tube comes through). The smaller the hole, the better. The air
escaping from the small hole should not take much paint, if any,
through the hole, because the air isn't pushing paint towards the hole
in the top. When the pressure is gone, you can then use some kind of
tool to open the can and pour the paint into a small bucket or similar.

Or, maybe I don't fully understand how spray paint cans work?


I've done this with small nail. Works fine. Once the pressure is gone,
put another hole in the rim on the opposite side for a vent & pour the
paint out. It's pretty thin for brushing, but the solvent evaporates
pretty quickly, so it will thicken up a bit if you let it "breath". It's
been a while since I did this. I think I put the can on the floor in the
middle of a sheet of newspaper, and held the nail pinched in another
sheet to absorb what little spray there was. I tried to make a very
small hole, and then held the nail in place while it vented slowly.

Doug White


  #11   Report Post  
Franklin Newton
 
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"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with

a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick

or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and

depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and

leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably

safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE


The easist way to open the can is an automatic center punch, however the
paint then comes out of the hole much to rapidly to contain in a shallow
vessel!


  #12   Report Post  
Dave August
 
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Grant,

Hell years ago (were talking early 60's) as a kid, we'd just use a 'church
key' on the bottom to make one *small* hole to let out the pressure then
open it up all the way to dump out the paint. Then 'cuz we were kids we'd
make a few more to get a hole big enough to get the *marble* out... I got a
few really nice "Cat's eyes" that way.. LOL.

Quite honestly I just did the very same thing about a week ago to a can of
Kyrlon that I wanted the last drops from to brush on the drivers on my
Locomotive.

Just hold the dam can in yer hand and point the bottom AWAY from ya...

Dave


"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with
a completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick
or tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and
depressed the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all
come out and leave the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I
wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE



  #13   Report Post  
Rex B
 
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I think I'm seeing the genesis of a Darwin Award!

Dave August wrote:
Grant,

Hell years ago (were talking early 60's) as a kid, we'd just use a 'church
key' on the bottom to make one *small* hole to let out the pressure then
open it up all the way to dump out the paint. Then 'cuz we were kids we'd
make a few more to get a hole big enough to get the *marble* out... I got a
few really nice "Cat's eyes" that way.. LOL.



Just hold the dam can in yer hand and point the bottom AWAY from ya...

Dave


"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with
a completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick
or tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and
depressed the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all
come out and leave the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I
wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE




  #14   Report Post  
Leo Lichtman
 
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Of course, trying a clean nozzle would be the first thing to try. BTW, when
I start a new can, I usually use the nozzle from a can that's already in
use. I save the unused nozzles in my toolbox, so I always have a clean one
to got to when there's a problem.

I don't know why it works, but sometimes you can get the thing working by
taking off the nozzle and then putting it back. You'll get a little spurt,
and then nothing. If you repeat this a few times, often the thing will
start to work.


  #15   Report Post  
Grant Erwin
 
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Leo Lichtman wrote:
Of course, trying a clean nozzle would be the first thing to try. BTW, when
I start a new can, I usually use the nozzle from a can that's already in
use. I save the unused nozzles in my toolbox, so I always have a clean one
to got to when there's a problem.

I don't know why it works, but sometimes you can get the thing working by
taking off the nozzle and then putting it back. You'll get a little spurt,
and then nothing. If you repeat this a few times, often the thing will
start to work.


Yup. This one is PLUGGED. Nothing is going to get it spraying again, not a new
nozzle, nothing. And I just need a little more of the paint ..

I'll try the churchkey, sounds reasonable to me.

GWE


  #16   Report Post  
Dave August
 
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Must be you then Rex, as in culling out the ones stupid enough not to think
and try things...

I'm 54 and have been doing this since I was 6 and NEVER had a problem, and
it was my ole man who showed me the trick...

Maybe you should try things before shooting yer mouth off.

Dave,

I think I'm seeing the genesis of a Darwin Award!

Dave August wrote:
Grant,

Hell years ago (were talking early 60's) as a kid, we'd just use a
'church key' on the bottom to make one *small* hole to let out the
pressure then open it up all the way to dump out the paint. Then 'cuz we
were kids we'd make a few more to get a hole big enough to get the
*marble* out... I got a few really nice "Cat's eyes" that way.. LOL.



Just hold the dam can in yer hand and point the bottom AWAY from ya...

Dave


"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with
a completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick
or tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and
depressed the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all
come out and leave the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I
wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE




  #17   Report Post  
Rex B
 
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Dave August wrote:
Must be you then Rex, as in culling out the ones stupid enough not to think
and try things...

I'm 54 and have been doing this since I was 6 and NEVER had a problem, and
it was my ole man who showed me the trick...

Maybe you should try things before shooting yer mouth off.

Dave,


Hey, lighten up!

I suggest you open up a can of Humour next.

  #18   Report Post  
Jeff Wisnia
 
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Dave August wrote:
Grant,

Hell years ago (were talking early 60's) as a kid, we'd just use a 'church
key' on the bottom to make one *small* hole to let out the pressure then
open it up all the way to dump out the paint. Then 'cuz we were kids we'd
make a few more to get a hole big enough to get the *marble* out... I got a
few really nice "Cat's eyes" that way.. LOL.

Quite honestly I just did the very same thing about a week ago to a can of
Kyrlon that I wanted the last drops from to brush on the drivers on my
Locomotive.

Just hold the dam can in yer hand and point the bottom AWAY from ya...


And if you want to play it as safe as possible, put the can in the
kitchen freezer for a few hours before you pierce it. That'll reduce the
gas pressure a lot.

List me among the others who more than once have punched a spray can open.

Jeff

Dave


"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with
a completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick
or tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and
depressed the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all
come out and leave the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I
wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE






--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."
  #19   Report Post  
Don Foreman
 
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On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:23:43 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE


I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to screw into the
pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. The stem goes where the nozzle
was. Insert stem smartly, hold firmly, turn on propane. That will
often blow the paint tube clear, and re-pressurize the can. Saved
many rattlecans that way. Hardly ever get any on me.

  #20   Report Post  
its me
 
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"Don Foreman" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:23:43 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with
a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick
or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and
depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and
leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably
safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE


I have pressurized with air pressure from my compressor a paint can that has
ran out of propellant . It take some finesse but it should also blow clear
the stand tube inside the can.
Steve




  #21   Report Post  
Eric R Snow
 
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On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 17:28:44 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:23:43 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE


I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to screw into the
pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. The stem goes where the nozzle
was. Insert stem smartly, hold firmly, turn on propane. That will
often blow the paint tube clear, and re-pressurize the can. Saved
many rattlecans that way. Hardly ever get any on me.

Don,
That's a great idea! I can think of at least 7 people I know who could
use these. Thanks! I'm gonna make some for Christmas presents. And
anybody who has put a match to spray paint knows that the propellant
burns pretty well so propane isn't gonna hurt.
Cheers,
Eric
  #22   Report Post  
Don Foreman
 
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On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:20:06 -0700, Eric R Snow
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 17:28:44 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:23:43 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE


I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to screw into the
pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. The stem goes where the nozzle
was. Insert stem smartly, hold firmly, turn on propane. That will
often blow the paint tube clear, and re-pressurize the can. Saved
many rattlecans that way. Hardly ever get any on me.

Don,
That's a great idea! I can think of at least 7 people I know who could
use these. Thanks! I'm gonna make some for Christmas presents. And
anybody who has put a match to spray paint knows that the propellant
burns pretty well so propane isn't gonna hurt.
Cheers,
Eric


Hints:

Not all spraycans are the same. Mike the nozzle stem from the kind of
paint usually used.

It works best if there's a little slit in the end (slitting saw),
only needs to be .050 long or so.

  #23   Report Post  
Eric R Snow
 
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On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 18:38:06 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:20:06 -0700, Eric R Snow
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 17:28:44 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:23:43 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE

I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to screw into the
pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. The stem goes where the nozzle
was. Insert stem smartly, hold firmly, turn on propane. That will
often blow the paint tube clear, and re-pressurize the can. Saved
many rattlecans that way. Hardly ever get any on me.

Don,
That's a great idea! I can think of at least 7 people I know who could
use these. Thanks! I'm gonna make some for Christmas presents. And
anybody who has put a match to spray paint knows that the propellant
burns pretty well so propane isn't gonna hurt.
Cheers,
Eric


Hints:

Not all spraycans are the same. Mike the nozzle stem from the kind of
paint usually used.

It works best if there's a little slit in the end (slitting saw),
only needs to be .050 long or so.

I'll do that. Maybe there's a way to use a cone to fit several stem
sizes.
Eric
  #24   Report Post  
Larry Jaques
 
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On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:20:06 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, Eric
R Snow quickly quoth:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 17:28:44 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:


I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to screw into the
pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. The stem goes where the nozzle
was. Insert stem smartly, hold firmly, turn on propane. That will
often blow the paint tube clear, and re-pressurize the can. Saved
many rattlecans that way. Hardly ever get any on me.


[Your torch tips are threaded, Don? Most I've seen have straight pipe
ends.]


Don,
That's a great idea! I can think of at least 7 people I know who could
use these. Thanks! I'm gonna make some for Christmas presents. And
anybody who has put a match to spray paint knows that the propellant
burns pretty well so propane isn't gonna hurt.


The flammability issue has always kept me from trying that ploy.
Having made hair-net spray cans into flame throwers, I have a lot
of respect for the contents of aerosol cans and haven't wanted to
punch a steel item (nail, churchkey) through a steel can for fear of
sparks.

[Good idea, Don. I wonder if you could just use a rubber tipped blow
gun with a small paper clip (as a valve depressor, through the side)
to accomplish the same thing.]

--
"Simplicity of life, even the barest, is not misery but
the very foundation of refinement." --William Morris
-----------------------------------
www.diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
  #25   Report Post  
Don Foreman
 
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On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 13:25:30 -0700, Larry Jaques
wrote:


[Your torch tips are threaded, Don? Most I've seen have straight pipe
ends.]


The end of the burner is straight, but some disassembly is possible on
most torches. I have an old Bernz-O-Matic that accepted replacable
threaded orifices. Used that for a while. Many torches have a 5/16"
dia brass tube that screws into the valve body, even if they don't
use removable orifices. I have a B-O-M like that, and a recent one
by Goss that is also made that way. Model GP-9
http://www.gossonline.com/hand_torches.asp
available from Enco. 505-4820.

I made an adaptor that fits the threaded hole in the B-O-M valve that
accepts the stems I made to fit the old setup with the replacable
orifices.

See http://users.goldengate.net/~dforeman/rattlecan/

This is the valve body from an old B-O-M I found at a garage sale for
a buck. This is easier to use because it's a straight push down on
the propane bottle with the spraycan sitting on the bench.


[Good idea, Don. I wonder if you could just use a rubber tipped blow
gun with a small paper clip (as a valve depressor, through the side)
to accomplish the same thing.]


I think that would result in paint all over the place. A trick to
this is to have the nozzle stem fit the can snugly and push it in
smartly. Then turn on the propane. It only takes a couple of
seconds to take as much as it's going to. Pull out smartly, replace
nozzle. Shake can vigorously so it won't plug again. Commence or
resume spraying!



  #26   Report Post  
Jeff Wisnia
 
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Don Foreman wrote:

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:23:43 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:


Is there any safe way to open a still-pressurized can of spray paint with a
completely plugged nozzle, to get the paint out so I can brush it on?

How about if I made a tool e.g. drilled a small hole in a Popsicle stick or
tongue depressor, turned the can upside down, removed the nozzle, and depressed
the valve stem with the hole aligned? Maybe the air would all come out and leave
the paint inside, then I could cut it open any way I wanted reasonably safely.

Ideas? Experience?

GWE



I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to screw into the
pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. The stem goes where the nozzle
was. Insert stem smartly, hold firmly, turn on propane. That will
often blow the paint tube clear, and re-pressurize the can. Saved
many rattlecans that way. Hardly ever get any on me.


I would have expected no less than that from you, Don, the guy who IIRC
told me he made a his own special bottle cap so he could refizz flat
soda pop with CO2.

I just pour the flat soda in my 40 year old "soda syphon" and waste a
CO2 cartridge on it, 'cause I don't have a big tank of CO2 standing
around. :-)

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."
  #27   Report Post  
Grant Erwin
 
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I would have expected no less than that from you, Don, the guy who IIRC
told me he made a his own special bottle cap so he could refizz flat
soda pop with CO2.

I just pour the flat soda in my 40 year old "soda syphon" and waste a
CO2 cartridge on it, 'cause I don't have a big tank of CO2 standing
around. :-)

Jeff Wisnia


I have nailed the problem of either making soda water or recarbonating anything
fizzy in a plastic soda bottle. I followed Richard Kinch's advice pretty much
but for the cap hardware. I just went to the car parts store and bought some
screw-on Schrader valves and drilled holes in plastic bottlecaps and screwed on
the Schrader valves. I have a CO2 tank with Schrader fitting so now it's duck
soup to pressurize a plastic bottle. For awhile I had my kids make their own
pop. I think they were horrified by the quantities of sugar that went in,
because now they don't drink sugary pop any more, so I'd say it worked.

I'm wondering if a small CO2 bottle, the 20 pound kind, can be used for MIG
welding aluminum.

GWE
  #28   Report Post  
Mark Jerde
 
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Grant Erwin wrote:

I have nailed the problem of either making soda water or
recarbonating anything fizzy in a plastic soda bottle. I followed
Richard Kinch's advice pretty much but for the cap hardware. I just
went to the car parts store and bought some screw-on Schrader valves
and drilled holes in plastic bottlecaps and screwed on the Schrader
valves. I have a CO2 tank with Schrader fitting so now it's duck soup
to pressurize a plastic bottle. For awhile I had my kids make their
own pop. I think they were horrified by the quantities of sugar that
went in, because now they don't drink sugary pop any more, so I'd say
it worked.
I'm wondering if a small CO2 bottle, the 20 pound kind, can be used
for MIG welding aluminum.


Yet another example of why I love lurking in this newsgroup. I like to
think I'm a pretty good make-do engineer but I'm a rank amateur here. Keep
it up!

-- Mark


  #29   Report Post  
Richard J Kinch
 
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Grant Erwin writes:

I'm wondering if a small CO2 bottle, the 20 pound kind, can be used
for MIG welding aluminum.


No, gotta be argon. When I tried it, you get something like a thermite
reaction where the molten aluminum takes the O2 off the CO2 and there's all
this amorphous C spraying around as soot.

Pretty strange to think that (oxidized) soot is what makes beverages fizz.
  #30   Report Post  
Don Foreman
 
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On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 23:35:24 -0500, Richard J Kinch
wrote:

Grant Erwin writes:

I'm wondering if a small CO2 bottle, the 20 pound kind, can be used
for MIG welding aluminum.


No, gotta be argon. When I tried it, you get something like a thermite
reaction where the molten aluminum takes the O2 off the CO2 and there's all
this amorphous C spraying around as soot.

Pretty strange to think that (oxidized) soot is what makes beverages fizz.


I wonder if helium will dissolve in water. "Helium-ated" water
probably wouldn't have any flavor, but it might make some hilarious
pop for the kids talking like Donald Duck.



  #31   Report Post  
 
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CO2 works pretty well for Mig welding steel, but it is not good for
aluminum.

Dan
Grant Erwin wrote:

I'm wondering if a small CO2 bottle, the 20 pound kind, can be used for MIG
welding aluminum.

GWE


  #32   Report Post  
Leo Lichtman
 
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"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.


  #33   Report Post  
Don Foreman
 
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On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 02:22:16 GMT, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:


"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.

Feel free to market it if you like. I'm retired! If you get
rich, send me a case of Dixie VooDoo black lager if you think of it.

  #34   Report Post  
Rex B
 
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Leo Lichtman wrote:
"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.


That's pretty unlikely, due to product liability concerns.

Is propane better than compressed air, due to the pressure and dryness?
What's the pressure of a propane tank?
Will a 20-lb BBQ grill propane tank also be suitable?
  #35   Report Post  
Grant Erwin
 
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Rex B wrote:

Leo Lichtman wrote:

"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one
end to screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an
order right now.



That's pretty unlikely, due to product liability concerns.

Is propane better than compressed air, due to the pressure and dryness?
What's the pressure of a propane tank?
Will a 20-lb BBQ grill propane tank also be suitable?


The propellant in many spray cans *is* propane.

GWE



  #36   Report Post  
Rex B
 
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Grant Erwin wrote:
Rex B wrote:

Leo Lichtman wrote:

"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one
end to screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an
order right now.




That's pretty unlikely, due to product liability concerns.

Is propane better than compressed air, due to the pressure and dryness?
What's the pressure of a propane tank?
Will a 20-lb BBQ grill propane tank also be suitable?



The propellant in many spray cans *is* propane.


I thought they had pretty much all gone to compressed air, due to
environmental concerns, plus safety.
I didn't know that a spray can could work as a flame thrower, until
my BIL showed me in the hair spray dept at Treasure City 35 years ago
  #37   Report Post  
Don Foreman
 
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On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 10:30:58 -0500, Rex B wrote:

Leo Lichtman wrote:
"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.


That's pretty unlikely, due to product liability concerns.

Is propane better than compressed air, due to the pressure and dryness?
What's the pressure of a propane tank?
Will a 20-lb BBQ grill propane tank also be suitable?


Propane is better because vapor pressure in the can is constant as
long as there is any liquid propane present.

Propane pressure varies with temperature, is 110 PSI at 70F
See http://www.flameengineering.com/Propane_Info.html

A 14 oz propane bottle is better, because you can easily tip it upside
down to shoot liquid rather than gas into the paint can. It will
only shoot until the pressures equalize, but that's usually enough to
revive the can.

  #38   Report Post  
Roger Shoaf
 
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"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.



I wonder if you purchased a butane cigarette lighter refill canister if one
of the 8 adaptors they supply with it would work with nothing to make?

Even if it doesn't, it would justify buying one of those neat little butane
mini torches that use the same canister.

--
Roger Shoaf

If knowledge is power, and power corrupts, what does this say about the
Congress?


  #39   Report Post  
Jeff Wisnia
 
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Roger Shoaf wrote:
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.




I wonder if you purchased a butane cigarette lighter refill canister if one
of the 8 adaptors they supply with it would work with nothing to make?

Even if it doesn't, it would justify buying one of those neat little butane
mini torches that use the same canister.


I got sseveral of the butane "grille" cannisters (about the size of
larger spray paint cans.) on sale the end of last summer and turned a
plastic adaptor to fill my $7 HF mini torch. That's probably going to be
a lifetime supply for me. That little torch lives on my bench as a handy
and clean heat source for small stuff, including heat shrink tubing
(With a deft enough quick pass, that is. G)

Interestingly, I saw the same little torch on sale at a fancy kitchen
shop for about $35 a little while ago. They were selling it for browning
the peaks of that stuff chefs top off creme bruleighs
with.(Howeverthehell they're spelled.)

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."
  #40   Report Post  
Emmo
 
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the top of a crème brulee is sugar


"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...
Roger Shoaf wrote:
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

"Don Foreman" wrote: I made a little brass stem , threaded on one end
to
screw into the pipe of a Bernz-O-Matic propane torch. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a marketable idea. If they were for sale, I would place an order
right now.




I wonder if you purchased a butane cigarette lighter refill canister if
one
of the 8 adaptors they supply with it would work with nothing to make?

Even if it doesn't, it would justify buying one of those neat little
butane
mini torches that use the same canister.


I got sseveral of the butane "grille" cannisters (about the size of larger
spray paint cans.) on sale the end of last summer and turned a plastic
adaptor to fill my $7 HF mini torch. That's probably going to be a
lifetime supply for me. That little torch lives on my bench as a handy and
clean heat source for small stuff, including heat shrink tubing (With a
deft enough quick pass, that is. G)

Interestingly, I saw the same little torch on sale at a fancy kitchen shop
for about $35 a little while ago. They were selling it for browning the
peaks of that stuff chefs top off creme bruleighs with.(Howeverthehell
they're spelled.)

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."





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