Hello,

I must puncture a can of "spray" dielectric grease so that i can get the grease out..
I put "spray" in quotes because it was supposed to be a spray but it comes out more like toothpaste.

I've used it a few times, maybe 5 times, and already the propellant is gone and i am left with an almost full can of really good quality grease. If i can get the grease out, i can still use it effectively. Problem is, i dont really know if the propellant is gone or the valve is bad. If the valve is bad then a puncture would spew grease all over teh place.

So any ideas what he best way to do this might be?
I was thinking put it in a box, then puncture, but i dont have a box that size.

 

Do you have access to pin drills, or engraving bits, this would make a very small hole that if there were significant pressure left in the can, it could easily be stopped and/or released in a controlled way, just by finger pressure.
Max.

 

Wondering if that could be a good reason for a funny (or dramatic) short video.

 

Do you have access to pin drills, or engraving bits, this would make a very small hole that if there were significant pressure left in the can, it could easily be stopped and/or released in a controlled way, just by finger pressure.
Max.

Hi,

Yes good idea. I have down to #75 drill sizes i used to use for PC boards.
I think i'll try that...thanks for the idea.

After that i'll try shears to cut off the top and get the bulk of it out.

 

Wondering if that could be a good reason for a funny (or dramatic) short video.

Hi,

With my luck i would get all set up with the lights and the camera and then nothing would come out

I had a can of shaving cream 'get' a hole in it once, spewed all over the bathroom.

 

You could put the can in a large poly bag before piercing it through the bag, to restrict any spew.

 

Also you could use a needle and syringe

 

.22LR from a safe distance.

 

.22LR from a safe distance.

Thats for CRT's!!
Max.

 

Put a bit of compressed air in the can and try it. I do this with wd-40 cans and others it works.

 

Thats for CRT's!!
Max.

I hope he rolls video and posts so that we can critique his marksmanship.

 

If the can is a regular type with a rolled bottom seam, after making sure there is no propellant in it, use a regular can opener to open it. One from the dollar store will keep the wife happy.

 

MrAl:

You know batter. You need to post a pic.

I'll give you an idea. Two long boards with a hinge between them. The basics of a "can crusher".

take a nail, an "o-ring" and a step collar so you have nail, board, step collar, o-ring.

Do whatever you have to to get the right length and to secure the can.

Now, put the can in a zip lock bag.

Puncture the can through the zip lock. The "O-ring" should secure the grease and seal against the collar. I;m assuming not a whole lot of pressure inside the can. More like "shaving cream" type of pressure.

All of that is likely available at my local hardware store.

You might only have a tiny hole to deal with.

The hi-tech way, that costs more than the grease: https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Side-Can-Tap-10U329

Who knows what the diameters are of your can or the tap.

What brought me there was what an R-12 can tap looks like. You might have one lying around.

 

.22LR from a safe distance.

That’s what I use. Actually I’d use my .22 pellet gun fur this job. I use the LR when I need to put a straight hole through a fat, insulated wall. Much easier than ... anything else if you don’t have a long enough bit to reach all the way through.

 

You could put the can in a large poly bag before piercing it through the bag, to restrict any spew.

Hi,

Yeah that might be enough. I was also worried about shrapnel, but then again that probably wont happen.

 

Also you could use a needle and syringe

Hi,

Where do you poke it in at?

 

.22LR from a safe distance.

Hi,

Oh yeah
How about a 50mm round?

 

Put a bit of compressed air in the can and try it. I do this with wd-40 cans and others it works.

Hi,

Where do you put the air in from? The output tube?

 

If the can is a regular type with a rolled bottom seam, after making sure there is no propellant in it, use a regular can opener to open it. One from the dollar store will keep the wife happy.

Hi,

That might be good too, but not sure how thick the steel is on this can. I think it's thicker than most vegetable cans for example.

 

Where do you put the air in from? The output tube?

yes