Tool Talk
Blacksmith and Metal Working Forum => Blacksmith and Metalworking Forum => Topic started by: Twilight Fenrir on August 08, 2015, 04:56:07 PM
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So... here's a strange question... I started making bottle openers the other day... but I am kind of guessing on the jaws end. And they're all free-hand, so I need a way to check to make sure they work as they should. But, it's kind of a ridiculous idea to open a bottle for every opener I make :P
Anyone have a clever idea of how to make a go/no-go tester? XD
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Take them to the local pub or beer joint.
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The only way I could see it done is perhaps make a bottle cap shape jig. Then just press each opener in to the jig an if it fits snug without gaps then it's good to go.
I would think a straight bar with correct size teeth cut in it would be easiest. Or does it need to be the exact roundness of a bottle?
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The only way I could see it done is perhaps make a bottle cap shape jig. Then just press each opener in to the jig an if it fits snug without gaps then it's good to go.
I would think a straight bar with correct size teeth cut in it would be easiest. Or does it need to be the exact roundness of a bottle?
I was thinking about something like that... I mean, I stuck all of my openers against a bottle, and they all 'fit' fine. I know they are strong enough.... I guess my concern is in how long the part on top can/should be... Does it need to be in the middle of the cap for optimum opening ability? Or can it be longer/shorter without too much issue?
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I would assume that the center is the best location, too short, you may just bend the edge of the cap,
and too long, you would be putting downward pressure on the opposite edge.
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With the hundreds of thousands already made, I'd look at a bunch of them and see what is the most common configuration.
I think the more important thing is the lip that catches the bottle cap. I have seen some too thick to get a purchase on the lip, and some so thin that they cut the cap.
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As part of a manufacturing course I took we toured a factory. They had this conveyer line that parts came down. A photo was taken an if it didn't match the file photo a arm kicked the part off the line an into a bin of rejects. It did that at amazingly fast rates as well.
Pretty cool but ime sure the setup costs more then all my tools combined lol.
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All of these work, and each is different. The Craftsman one is left over from some PHAKE work done for me by 64longstep. It is the handle end of a 1/4 drive ratchet.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/papao55/Assorted%20wrenches/78ca5c59-9999-4118-887d-524c690a8b82_zpsyrpyncxy.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/papao55/media/Assorted%20wrenches/78ca5c59-9999-4118-887d-524c690a8b82_zpsyrpyncxy.jpg.html)
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Thanks for the feedback and answers n.n
Well, it seems that all lengths exist in commercial openers.... The ones in the middle of the cap may be more common, in the future I'll try to aim for that, but I don't feel it's necessary to reforge the ones I've already made that are long. Trying to keep them fast to make so I can sell them cheaply.
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/Blacksmithing/IMG_20150808_194146_zpsbd8jxmsr.jpg) (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Midnight_Fenrir/media/Blacksmithing/IMG_20150808_194146_zpsbd8jxmsr.jpg.html)
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looking good.
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Lookin very good, nice work.
No dought they work. If I was a buyer for a hand held one I would probably want something more ergonomic or easy to fit in my hand an not so big. They look pretty big an heavy but I could be wrong on scale of photo.
You could also almost mount those to the wall or bar or were ever you want.
They still look absolutely great am are Deffintly a very functional conversation piece. I don't even drink an would consider buying one if I saw it for a good price.
Please keep us posted on how this project goes :)
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Lookin very good, nice work.
No dought they work. If I was a buyer for a hand held one I would probably want something more ergonomic or easy to fit in my hand an not so big. They look pretty big an heavy but I could be wrong on scale of photo.
You could also almost mount those to the wall or bar or were ever you want.
They still look absolutely great am are Deffintly a very functional conversation piece. I don't even drink an would consider buying one if I saw it for a good price.
Please keep us posted on how this project goes :)
Thank you n.n
They're quite small, actually, and fairly ergonomic. The size varies from one to another... but they are 1/4" square stock. The curved flat piece is roughly the radius of an index finger.
I've used the the biggest, smallest, and the in-betweeniest, and they all work really quite well, actually. I'm pleased and reasonably certain I'll be selling good product. I'm planning on selling them for $7.50. I've got 21 of them made up :P
This, some belt buckles, a few knives, necklaces, and other things are going to be my first time really putting myself in a setting where I can meet and hock my wares. It's important I don't sell anything I'm not confident in, I don't want to have anything to tarnish the start of my reputation. So I've been obsessing over them a bit, hence the original post ^^;
Here's a better picture for scale... This one has the smallest jaws of the lot, it was my first attempt. All the rest fit the cap better. Ignore the anchor, that's a prototype for an unrelated project that didn't come out how I wanted it to :P
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/Blacksmithing/IMG_20150805_203209_zpsbucjj51l.jpg)
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You need to make small aligator wrenches to use on child proof caps on pill bottles and those "convenient" twist off caps on water & soda bottles. Till then, Channellocks will be on my kitchen counter. Build an aligator with a button hook on the end and you own the SrtRitus community.
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In the second photo I can see there size better, at first I thought they were a lot larger.
I like the fact your focused on selling something of quality an care about the final product.
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I would find a short piece of round stock, just about the size of a standard bottle top. Epoxy a good, straight cap to the top. Instant go/no go gauge for bottle caps. Would let you check to see if opener catches correctly on the lip of the lid.
Just my completely, non-intellectual idea for something to check my "D" ended openers when I make them.
take it for what it is worth.
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How about one that will give me a start on a da#$ed tight salsa jar!
I loves me my On the Border hot salsa, but Boy, are those lids tight!
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must be "HEAT" sealed from the hot salsa.
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After getting distracted by the salsa fanatics I couldn't remember - Does your bottle opener tester get to drink the bottle contents? Seems like a dream job for some 19 yr old. You probably wouldn't have to pay much, other than the cost of the bottle contents.
Chilly :grin:
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Northwoods - You need a Gilhoolie!
(https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6361530/il_570xN.260284032.jpg)
They still make these. I am not sure how well it works - I have one but haven't tested it.
Al
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I know from my homebrew days that you can reuse the caps on the bottles if they are not too bent. I would get some caps from a brewing supply company and a bottle capper from an antique mall or yard sale. I would use the same cap over and over until it got too worn out to recap on the bottle, and I would test each opener.
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Thabks for the ideas!
I toom a few of the outliers of various geometries and opened a few bottles, and they all worked fine. I guess I was really over thinking the problem :P As long as the jaw opens wide enough to permit the bottle cap, nothing else seems to make a significant difference. Which is good, because I can beat them out quickly, and keep prices down. :3
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I would print a bunch of business cards on tan stock with your contact info and the fact you do custom work. Punch a hole in each tag and tie it to the opener with baling twine or sisal string.
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I would print a bunch of business cards on tan stock with your contact info and the fact you do custom work. Punch a hole in each tag and tie it to the opener with baling twine or sisal string.
I already have a bunch of business cards... I do like that idea though, thank you n.n
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You need to make small aligator wrenches to use on child proof caps on pill bottles and those "convenient" twist off caps on water & soda bottles. Till then, Channellocks will be on my kitchen counter. Build an aligator with a button hook on the end and you own the SrtRitus community.
We have a small kitchen area in our bedroom closet. The fridge is one if those small Frigidaire ones, but it works great. It is mounted above the counter, and the upper cabinet is one of those short ones above it.
We keep an alligator wrench - a W&B No.3 Bulldog - under the fridge, with the head sticking out. The wrench is a bit over 18" long. The length keeps it in place and helps when opening any bottles thst fit between the jaws.
My hands are only 54 yrs chronologically, but more than 80 yrs biologically. I'm still glad I have them, though.
Chilly