Stumped by a can opener

[pokethepope]

I may come out of this appearing a bit dense, but i'll give it a try.

I bought this very very cheap Tesco can opener for my uni flat:

http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=204-1033

and i cannot for the life of me work out how to use it. The picture on the webby isn't much help because you can't see the mechanism, but has anybody used one like this and can tell me how?

I've asked two of my flatmates, one is a very keen cook, and they can't work it out.

It definately doesn't lie horizontal on the top of the can, like a similar looking one i've seen does.

Any ideas?

[BigLepton]

On the other side of it is a toothed wheel and a sharp bit of metal. You pull apart the light and dark bits of plastic, place the rim of the can between the toothed wheel and sharp bit of metal, squeeze the dark and light handles back together and turn the dark knob at the top. The can will turn and after a while the lid will be open.

Has mummy always done it for you up to now diddums?

Bloody students!

[bomb]

Are you doing an engineering degree ??

[elster]

I think it goes on top like this:


Rather than the usual sideways one.

I really hope your not in engineering, or well anything other than typing on a computer or pushing a pen.

Other option is this:



After this trial and error should work.

Edited by elster on Friday 13th March 20:20

[pokethepope]

Right crappy diagram time.
Green is handle.
Blue is cog/drive wheel
Red is cutting bit



First picture is putting it on the top. The cutting point of the cutting disc sits above the rim of the top of the can, let alone at the bottom of the rim where it would take the top off. Putting it on top the other side, as in the second diagram, the cutting disc sits too low, and is positioned to cut through the much thicker side wall of the can, again rather than cutting the top.

My flatmate has one of the openers that sit on top, so i know how to do that method and this one just doesnt seem to be able to do it.

Doing it on the side, as in Elster's second diagram, the cog slips on the proud part of the rim, it cannot get any purchase, so its either a cheap and crappy design (likely) or there is some other method i havn't thought of. (and ive tried with various cans, it cant grip any).

The conclusion i've been left with is it sits on top as per my second diagram, but this is bloody hard work to operate, cutting through the thicker side wall, and the contents of the can leaks out as you cutting because it is opening it below the top.

[sleep envy]

hope you're not studying industrial design

[Plotloss]

I weep for the future.

[Digger]

Feel you might need more help with this.

Can we move this to P&P please? . . .

[Digger]

[Mobile Chicane]

No, you're not going mad. I bought one of these and initially thought it didn't work. Rather than cut the top off the can, it weakens the weld between the lid and the body of the can (you'll need to pull the lid off).

Unfortunately I found this out for myself the hard way, thinking 'TK Maxx cheapie = dud' and took a screwdriver and hammer to the can. Cue coconut milk everywhere as the weld split. 4 months on I'm still picking it out of gaps in the floor.

[miguel38]

Digger said:

[BigLepton]

At least we know why most cans are now ring-pull. To stop students starving. . . . . .

[kman]

the can opener diagram looks like my can opener so i think what your doing wrong is trying to sit the opener on top of the can. it goes sideways, with the rim of the can between the two discs on the opener. squeeze the handles of the opener will push the inner disc into the can lid. then hold the handles tightly together and turn the knob clockwise and it should turn and cut through the can.