Why I didn't get more done on my CHP system today

[bschwartz]

One of my son's chores is to crush the cans for recycling.
He is always complaining about 'how much work' it is.

Not to waste an opportunity to work on a project with my son, we spend the day building this........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56TzIDzi8M

[mbryner]

Holy cow, that's cool!  Who wouldn't want to crush cans now!

[mbryner]

And if that's a "chore", your family must go through a lot of soda, or beer!

[Tom Reed]

OOh I want one! Next is a magazine to hold a whole stack of cans. Yes an imagination can be a dangerous thing. 

[mobile_bob]

i like the forethought to use two valves that require the occupation of both hands to operate the system, that provides
a decent measure of safety from mangled fingers.

it reminded me of a bird block machine used to bore the three vent holes in 2x4 vent blocks that are used up under the eaves
that space the roof trusses and fill in the gap,

the machine uses three 2inch forstenor (sp) bits and drilles all three holes at the same time in under 5 seconds

the operator has to slide in the block up to the stop, then he must press two buttons, one on the extreme left of the machine and one on the extreme right, both must be pressed for the air clamp to set/lock and the bore head to advance automatically.

first time i saw one of the machines i was convinced i would see a bunch of guys with missing hands/fingers or worse, apparently
the manufacture got that button thing worked out years ago.

i suspect as with anything, the early versions probably didn't have the dual button system
and there were probably a lot of missing and mangled fingers and hands as a result.

good on you that you thought to build it safe.

maybe a piece of lexan to shield his face should a can decide to jump out for some odd reason?

otherwise, a very cool solution to the can crushing problem

bob g

[bschwartz]

Bob, thanks for noticing the dual hand controls.  That was a MAJOR safety factor built into the design.

A shield would be good... maybe just the suggested magazine would also prevent jumping cans.

Ugggggg.......  Fun in the workshop today, back to the greaseless, no dirt under the nails world of computer work tomorrow.  It does pay the bills though, so i can't complain.

As for the "chore" of crushing cans, we only collect about 5 minutes worth a week.  This was really an excuse for me to not be really productive today 

[rcavictim]

I really like that!  Will it also collapse heavier wall tin cans from food as opposed to these ultra light gauge aluminum beverage cans?

[bschwartz]

It's possible it might crush harder cans, but I won't hold my breath.
What little recycling we have around here doesn't take metal other than aluminum

[cschuerm]

Awesome that you're stimulating your kid's mind with creative fabrication Brett!
I've got to sent you a pic of my can crusher.  It's a 3hp International Harvester engine with a pumpjack gearbox.  The lift arms are now connecting rods driving pistons into two cylinders with a breach load slot for cans.  Considerably more dangerous than your rig, but it'll crush anything you put in it!.

Chris