Introduction: World's Fastest Can Opener
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Wow, I spend too much time opening cans"?
I have.
A manual can opener takes about 9 seconds to open a can of corn.
To solve this problem, I came up with a product that is guaranteed to save you tons of time. It's a simple adapter that connects a drill to your manual can opener handle.
Now instead of 9 seconds, you can do it in 0.3 seconds!
For comparison, here's how much time you'd spend opening cans (on average*) over 80 years:
- Manual can opener (9 seconds): 83.2 hours
- The World's Fastest Can Opener (0.3 seconds): 2.8 hours
*Estimate figures based on user opening 2 cans per day, 4 days per week. Adjust figures based on your usage.
Supplies
Here's what I used to complete this project:
- Can opener - https://amzn.to/41pVDCp
- Screw - 4-40 - https://amzn.to/3Y1jVjf
- Foam tape - https://amzn.to/3SzLDSY
- 3D printer - https://amzn.to/3Zs5FBe
- 3D printer filament - https://amzn.to/3zdndWt
- Allen wrenches - https://amzn.to/3EVhlog
- Corn - https://amzn.to/3YKrvzI
Step 1: Print This Adapter
I designed an adapter to fit onto the handle of this can opener: https://amzn.to/41pVDCp
Print this bad boy on someone's 3d printer.
Step 2: Machine/print the Adapter Shaft
I machined an adapter shaft from aluminum. However, you could probably get away with 3d printing one.
The through hole is tapped #4-40 for the bolt that connects the adapter to the shaft.
Step 3: Add Foam Tape
I added foam tape on one side of the internal pocket that interfaces with the can opener handle. This just takes up a little space and helps grip the can opener twist handle.
Foam tape - https://amzn.to/3SzLDSY
Step 4: Assemble
- Insert flat of shaft into mating feature on the adapter
- Bolt shaft to adapter
Step 5: Those Can Won't Open Themselves!
It's time to get yourself some cans and test out your super speedy can opener!
Finalist in the
For the Home Contest
44 Comments
5 days ago on Step 5
this mf gave us a amazon link for corn
Reply 5 days ago
Hahahaha, I was waiting for someone to notice!
10 days ago on Introduction
Acho que estou precisando de um desses sou muito fraca rs!
7 weeks ago on Step 5
To save on machined part, change the shaft hole for a 1/4 hex and shove in a cheap Phillip drill bit.
Reply 21 days ago
Will destroy the hole in the plastic after a couple of uses. Not enough meat on the "grabbin' onto the shaft" bit.
21 days ago
Great solution if you don't have a 230mm (9") angle grinder and aren't too proficient with a sword! :')
22 days ago
83.2 hours... That really puts it in perspective.But when I compare that to all those hours I was sleeping...
7 weeks ago
As per my wife's suggestion -- You need to test it on LARGE cans -- Like the ones from Restaurants or Costco, etc.
Reply 7 weeks ago
FYI these are called #10 cans
Reply 5 weeks ago
Nan you don't need ten cans for a test ;)
Reply 4 weeks ago
He's referring to SIZE of the can. It's a #[number] 10 can.
Reply 7 weeks ago
That's a great idea! Seems like that would actually be a real scenario that needs a faster can opener... :)
Reply 5 weeks ago
I think we had something similar to jtechian 's extension - but that was fifty years ago. I seem to recall a thing that was mounted (on SS bench/table) with a handle maybe ten inches long? Check your local restaurant supply - or ask at the school cafeteria.
7 weeks ago
Nice 'ible! But tuna and cat food cans might get a littkle messy.
Reply 5 weeks ago
But the cat(s) would love to help clean any mess up!
Reply 6 weeks ago
Thanks! And you're right - pretty much everything would be messy lol!
7 weeks ago
I think I need a drill powered teaspoon to stir my morning coffee, now!
Reply 5 weeks ago
"a cheap Phillip's drill bit"
6 weeks ago
The 2.8 hours will be greatly increased when you factor in the time to get your drill from your workshop and return it when done. Perhaps this adapter could be attached to motor/gears in a battery-run unit that would be easy to hold for someone with arthritis or something similar.
Reply 5 weeks ago
He already had a powered unit - why not simply change the gearing in that one? No drill required - as long as you have POWER.
BYW the manual CO's are great BUT do not buy the ones with the plastic handle. Over time, they loosen and finally simply fail to turn the cutters. Look in THRIFT SHOPS (Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat (God Bless You President Carter), et al) the good (metal) COs never seem to die and can often be had for less than a buck!
Now, if you insist on grand, high-powered openings and can braze or weld - maybe simply weld a piece of steel rod onto the CO's handle arbor (for this approach, start with a plastic handle CO) after removing the (plastic) knob / turner bit.
One MIGHT be able to drill an tap a hole in the arbor and use a piece of threaded rod that could be screwed into the end of the arbor (and removed as needed) with the opposite end chucked* (as we like to say) into one's rigid drill for the opening. With this approach, one might be able to leave the turning handle/knob intact (save for the hole drilled through it and the arbor) and use it in manual or machine mode.
*Could e one might first chuck it in the rigid drill, then simultaneously thread it into the arbor and, once it bottoms out, open a can of worms or two.