Have some small empty aerosol cans lying around your house, but don't want to throw them away?
Well, here's some good news! I'll show you how to convert it into a refillable "Air"-osol can (literally - it uses compressed AIR) so you can use it as a personal emergency misting device, flamethrower, or simply something to cool you off with.
If you like this instructable, please vote for me in the new Pocket-Sized contest! I could really use a leatherman :D
As a side note, if this instructable looks really long and complicated, it's not, really. I just made it really detailed and informative so that it's foolproof XD
Well, here's some good news! I'll show you how to convert it into a refillable "Air"-osol can (literally - it uses compressed AIR) so you can use it as a personal emergency misting device, flamethrower, or simply something to cool you off with.
If you like this instructable, please vote for me in the new Pocket-Sized contest! I could really use a leatherman :D
As a side note, if this instructable looks really long and complicated, it's not, really. I just made it really detailed and informative so that it's foolproof XD
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Signing UpStep 1: Gather Tools and Materials
Materials
1. An empty mini AXE deodorant can*
2. 2 inch long tire valve**
3. 1/2" PVC slip-on endcap
4. 1/2" PVC pipe - just enough to fill the length of the endcap completely
5. Electrical tape
6. 2 regular-sized rubber bands (not shown)
7. A disposable glove - you don't want to get any of that glue on your hands, do you? XD
Tools
1. PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
2. Dremel tool with small drill/ suitable attachment - well, you want to make a 3/4-1"-ish hole in the bottom of the AXE can
3. A hand file that's rounded on one side - if you want to further fine-tune the roundness of the hole, which is not totally necessary (optional)
4. Scissors
5. PVC cement
6. PL Premium Adhesive cartridge, OR superglue, epoxy putty, etc - something that can bind PVC to metal)
7. A caulking gun - if you're using PL Premium
8. Bicycle pump - better if it has a built-in pressure gauge. (not pictured)
1. An empty mini AXE deodorant can*
2. 2 inch long tire valve**
3. 1/2" PVC slip-on endcap
4. 1/2" PVC pipe - just enough to fill the length of the endcap completely
5. Electrical tape
6. 2 regular-sized rubber bands (not shown)
7. A disposable glove - you don't want to get any of that glue on your hands, do you? XD
- I used this just because I found an empty can just lying on the ground (yeah, lucky! :D). You could probably substitute a similar can for more air volume if you wanted to.
Tools
1. PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
2. Dremel tool with small drill/ suitable attachment - well, you want to make a 3/4-1"-ish hole in the bottom of the AXE can
3. A hand file that's rounded on one side - if you want to further fine-tune the roundness of the hole, which is not totally necessary (optional)
4. Scissors
5. PVC cement
6. PL Premium Adhesive cartridge, OR superglue, epoxy putty, etc - something that can bind PVC to metal)
7. A caulking gun - if you're using PL Premium
8. Bicycle pump - better if it has a built-in pressure gauge. (not pictured)
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I got 18 AXE cans saved for inventions. I would prefer using the original spray valve (opens when pressed down), just making an adapter for it . It would be safer than having an AXE can go BOOM in your hand or face.
I wanted pressure calculations, so this is what I came up with:
The can comes with 150ml deodorant.
The can's volume is 200ml
That means that 50 ml (actually a little more) is compressed propane in a new bottle.
When the can is empty, the propane is at atmospheric pressure (15 PSI), and occupies 200 ml.
That means when the propane is compressed from 200ml to 50ml it reduces to 1/4 it's volume, thus (if the temperature is the same) its at 4 times it's original pressure
That is 15 PSI * 4 = 60 PSI Very Safe Pressure FOR AN UNMODIFIED CAN
These calculations are very rough, because the can actually releases a lot of propane while spraying, and an empty bottle might still have gas left inside.
I suppose that they fill at 75 PSI.
Another test method would be:
Dig a hole about 75 cm down, get a long extension for your compressor, and put the can in the hole. Get pressure into the can. Keep an eye on the PSI meter and stay away from the hole. When the can goes BOOM check your PSI meter and subtract 10-15 PSI to get a safe pressure level due to heat expansion.
Nice 'ible BTW
I've pumped the can up to 60 PSI with no problems... i guess the bond is good. But those safety rec's are helpful.
If you do manage to make an axe valve adapter so you don't have to hack out the can, please post an ible! I'm sure I and others would love it. On a side note, though, if you're going to do that much to an AXE can, you might as well somehow attach it to a soda bottle or other bigger (whip cream or air-duster size, or aerosol suntan lotion) container. It would just be more useful that way, and you could fill it with paint, alcohol (flamethrower, anyone?), or chemicals to kill pests and weeds, etc.