> The solution most appealing to me (if this was my challenge) was using > a vacuum on the outside of 1/2 of the can. If carefully done a vacuum clamp could be low tech and use eg a foot plunger to apply suction which may be able to be retained for the duration without power. A friend in NZ notes that 40mm x 1mm abrasive cutoff blades rated to run at 10,000 rpm are available here. Would probably be even more exciting than a Dremel abrasive disk if loaded sideways while cutting :-). Holden shaft sounds fun BUT you could probably cast a perfect fit half shell using a can mold, or using bent plastic. Or ... Sounds one of the most likely candidates overall so far. I think Gus was the first to mention suction. About 800 N / 80 kg clamping force would be availble at 0.5 atmosphere if most of the half can face could be exposed to suction. A curved surface with an axial "O ring" seal and a surface of microchannels to spread pressure well may work nicely. It's just possible that if each can half was so gripped and a very small gap left between the two halves, that mechanical stressing could be used to separate the two halves. Ultrasonics or just mechanical vibration. Scoring along the thus exposed line may well make separation clean and easy. Or not. R .. On 23 June 2011 23:08, Justin Richards wrote: > > It turns out that the inside diameter of the drive shaft from a Holden > Kingswood (or similiar vintage holden) is just right to take a coke > can, slightest of interference fits (at least the coke cans and Holden > Tail shafts that I am familiar with in Australia). > > I suspect one of these could reasonably quickly cut in half length > ways. =A0Several small 1/8" holes drilled along the length connected to > aluminum or copper tubing connected to a vacuum. =A0Sponge down the > "half" tail shaft to improve the air seal. > > Many cans (perhaps 12) could be placed in the "half" tail shaft , > vacuum applied then brought into range of a set of very sharp very > fast spinning knives > > Not sure how to do the spinning knives bit but I think the drive shaft > with vacuum assist would hold them secure. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .