Log splitter to can crusher in a removable way?

[julianf]

I have one of these -

and a whole load of these -

(theyre 20 ltr)


I can whack the tins with a sledge hammer, and they fold, but they never go that flat, and it just means more storage space is needed or more unproductive trips to the scrap yard.


So, i want to press them flat. Like the chap in this video does -

But...

Im pretty sure the modification to the unit in the video is non-reversible. I think its welded on, and, as i use the splitter for wood also, that's no good for me. (i think the builder was on another forum years ago, and mentioned that it was welded on)


So, i want to build a unit that is reversible, but that's not as easy as the center point of the tins is above the ram / original wedge.


Proposal for discussion (read as "this is what im after help on" : ) -

Its not clear in the photo, but the wedge part has a void behind the tip of the wedge

Here's another photo -

The three bits of plate that tie the two faces at the rear of the wedge do not run right to the front of the wedge. So there is a small triangular channel down the back, at the tip of the wedge.

Im thinking i could grind back a bit of bar to match this trianglar void, and slide it down, into the wedge, from the top.

And then, in addition to this, build some sort of clamp that goes around the back of the wedge. But i cant see how both would interact, and if it would be sensible to do both?



As for the ram end -

Im pretty sure mine does not have the two allen cap bolts in this photo, but the shape is just the same -

I dont even have any bad ideas for that end!


So, anyone got any suggestions that might help me out? : )

 

[julianf]

Even though ive been considering this for ages, now that ive posted the pictures, somthing else has come to mind -

Looking at this photo -

I reckon, at the wedge end, it must be a better idea to wrap around the base of the ram 'cylinder' (ie the body of the machine - the green rectangular tube)

The two black ties would have to be avoided, but that wouldnt be too hard. Somthing that clamped arround the whole body, but wedged up against the existing wedge (so as to stop it moving backward) would, im sure, be strong enough.


So, i reckon that end would not be that troublsome, but the other end, im still not so sure about.

 

[Screwdriver]

Well it should be trivially easy to make a suitable bracket for the fixed end. There's a handy bolt for the V shape rack you can use as a mounting lug and if the plate fits snugly onto the splitter it will hold no problem.

The issue is all about the force being lower than the centre. If it were me, I'd be looking for a way to install a thread at the lowest pint on the travelling part. A super strong welded nut to which I could attach a frame. A triangulated frame either angle or tube would then support the bigger push plate, like a big letter A on its side. In operation, the push plate will want to tip back and that force needs to be distributed, I suggest with a simple braced frame. Looks like a fun project!

S.

 

[pedrobedro]

Put a piece of flat wood in front of the wedge grain across so it won't split then put a short log in the other end and wedge your can between them.

 

[CRB]

Fabricate a triangular tube which drop over the wedge. A couple of pins towards the base would stop it rotating upwards. A few spikes to stop the tin can moving around would not hurt either.

 

[CRB]

Put a piece of flat wood in front of the wedge grain across so it won't split then put a short log in the other end and wedge your can between them.

?If you can fit a can and a log in at the same time. log at the wedge end, can at the pusher? ?Would that tend to lift in the centre though?

 

[julianf]

Ive tried the plank and block approach - it does not work, as the center of the tin is above the tops of the wedge and ram. The whole job just leaps out.

I think the wedge end will be fine, but its the ram (the moving) end that im not too clever on.

 

[julianf]

Ive got a number of these tins to do. I stopped hammering them when i decided id make a crusher.... and that was some time ago. (the situation is getting critical now)

So im after somthing that i can use without thinking too much about it also. If its more troublesome than just whacking them with a hammer, itll be a waste of time.

Ill see if i cant take some photos of my actual unit later in the day, and get busy with MS Paint over the top of the snaps : )

Thank you for the comments so far!

 

[CRB]

?An angled pusher plate to therefore force the can down rather than up? Adding a radius with a lip at the top.

 

[Screwdriver]

Well this is what I was thinking

Clearly the lower arms may need to be spaced out for clearance but if you can bolt the frame to the lower guide and the ram head, it should be strong enough to carry the force to the plate. And demountable if you use bolts.