I screwed up a can of ABS cement trying to get it open. It wouldn’t open by hand, so I tried to be gentle with the channel locks. Got to the place where it just barely seemed to be starting, so I thought maybe just a tiny bit harder …. and I scrunched it. One of those “aw s–t” and I even knew better before doing it moments.
So, I thought to ask here if anybody has any good tricks for getting those thin sheet metal screw tops off of adhesive cans. Or tricks for putting them back on so they’ll come off easy next time?
Thanks —
— J.S.
Replies
i take the liquid pipe dope and put it all over the top of can and on the threads of the can
Thanks, I'll try the pipe dope idea.
-- J.S.
I like the pipe dope idea. I will try that.
I use a pipe wrench with the three point contact method (two wrench jaws and the back of the wrench hit the lid -- doesn't deform it no matter how hard you twist).
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
We use those plastic handle dobbers that don't screw in ya just push em in there.
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Do you look to the government for an entitlement, or to GOD for empowerment. BDW
Naw, I pretty much crush 'em like you . . .
Forrest
My conclusion on those glue cans is that they work best for plumbers...
Why - because they use them often enough that having the lids get stuck and the stuff go bad (which it always seems to do in a relatively short period of time) isn't a problem for them since they go through a can pretty quickly.
In the odd event that I have a few fittings to glue up, I just plan on the can of glue in the back of my truck to have gone bad. This is PVC cement - not ABS cement - not sure how much that matters. Also, the primer seems to like to leak out of the can - unless you really tighten the top - and you cans see the disadvantage of that...
BTW - I guess using ABS is a regional thing. I mean, it is available around here but I rarely see it used. Here, it's all PVC, CPVC, Pex, some iron & copper. Keep in mind though that I do new construction. Maybe that matters?
Yes, the big problem is being an infrequent and low volume user. I did four joints a few months ago, and ten more over the weekend. The can survived the first opening, but not the second, so there won't be a third. I did transfer the rest of the cement to a glass horseradish bottle, we'll see what it's like when I need it again....
Here, ABS is used very widely for DWV. PVC is mostly for landscape irrigation. For water under pressure, it's mostly copper, and gas is in black pipe.
Thanks to all for the responses. I'll also try to see if I can rig some way of using a hose clamp to grab the cap without damaging it.
-- J.S.
What I do is just buy a new small can each time I have a small project (all my plumbing projects are small) and it works out OK because I normally have to go the store to get the fittings anyway.
You & me both brotha
I have the stuff by the gallons at work , but ya think I would ever remember to bring some home when I need it.Do you look to the government for an entitlement, or to GOD for empowerment. BDW
glass horseradish bottle
Horseradish bottle? LOL.
That gives me an idea for a thread.
What kind of odd, or not so odd, containers do we use for storing our stuff?
blue
The trick I use is to throw it away.
I buy a can every time I go to the store, big ones for big jobs, small ones for small jobs. The stuff is only $3 a can for the small ones and $15 for the big ones.
I'll hold on to a can for a couple of days, or until Friday when I clean out my truck and leave it ready for Monday.
BTW if you are doing a job for a friend, and they say "don't worry about buying the glue, I have one left over from something I did a couple of weeks ago..." buy one anyways and bet them a six pack that the stuff has dried out or is too goopy to use.
There is a reason why those cans are sealed tighter than a.... nevermind. The acetone base that most of them use will evaporate faster than a.... anh you get the picture. :)
Anyways... another reason why I don't like holding on to the stuff... imagine one tipping over in your box, in your truck, etc.. Messy!
The strangest thingy I use for storage on a regular basis are decon containers I get at the army surplus stores. They are these green containers that ordinarily are used in the field to store decontamination packs for soldiers to swab themselves down. They have a cover, lanyard, and clip and are great for keeping misc stuff in while working....