Pacific Precision Metals THE CRUSHER Aluminum Can Compactor

I researched this purchase quite a bit. Most comments pointed to this product with suggestions for improvements which also appeals to me. The negative comments are mostly people who didn't understand how to work the crusher with probably a few that really did get defective units...no company is perfect! I didn't want to pay too much for something that is supposed to help me make money, not spend it, so I decided to get a good crusher for free! I have an Amazon credit card, so I used points I have earned for other purchases...maybe not actually free- but getting it hurt a lot less! It was pretty easy to install, and I used a bubble level to make sure of its straight installation. I didn't use the suggestion to oil or soap the screws that affix it to the 6x6 post, but I should have- it takes some serious torque to get those big screws all the way in without stripping the phillips head (big square drive might have been a better choice.) The compactor comes with 3 of those screws, although there are 4 holes for screws (3 on top, 1 on the bottom.) I chose to leave the center upper hole without a screw. It really needs the lower screw for strength. I did find that the rounded head of the bottom screw does protrude and touches the back of the can about to be crushed, not a big deal- but it does make the cans seating less than perfect. 3 rounded head screws and 1 flat head lower screw would be a perfect combination. I used the included template and it made it easy to pre-drill holes through the paper. I did 3 modifications I saw suggested in reviews: #1. I added bolts to the outer hinge of the front door of the unit. I could see that the metal connectors in those positions could fail over time, so I went to the hardware store and got the biggest bolts that would fit in the hinge holes. The size turns out to be 7/16-14 x 1 inch. 1/2 is too big and 3/8 could work but would be loosey-goosey if the connectors failed. I went with 7/16 SAE flat washers (2 per side- 1 inner, one next to the nut) and 7/16-14 hex nuts. They are all hardened as well, so those suckers aren't going anywhere! You can see them @ the top of the attached picture. I like that they are shorter bolts than what I saw in the improvement suggestions. *Make sure you install the crusher before you put the extra bolts on- you won't be able to screw them into anything because these would definitely be in the way! Don't ask me how I know this :( #2. I did barely bend the bottom lip the can sits on up with pliers that have rubber protectors over the metal grip so I didn't mar the paint. I am not sure this is necessary. I only experienced cans making their way out if I crushed it incorrectly. **So, here's how you do the crushing right...put the can in the space to crush it UPSIDE DOWN (the bottom of the can is weaker, so it crushes with less resistance, plus the more stout ring on the topside of the can makes a better base for crushing!) When it is in place, press your thumb into the middle of the can FACING OUT and make a dent (this compromises the wall structure of the can, making it easy to crush!) The cans crush down beautifully. Pull that handle all the way down... then when you lift it you have this beautifully crushed can- it's like magic! Pull it forward and hopefully you have a bin below for it to fall into. It is amazing how many crushed cans you can fit into a regular recycle bin. #3. Lubricating the crushing mechanism is a good idea- I use some teflon spray on the moving parts and the inside side walls of the compactor. I can see how some greasy lube would last longer, but it would look messier- then again, it is a crusher! I still feel like it doesn't move effortlessly, and that is probably because of the bolts on top that are tightened down quite a bit. They probably don't need to be that tight, but it gives the unit a sturdy feel. No rattling or give at all. I made sure I mounted it high enough- but didn't want to raise it to the 51" height (bottom of the crusher) they suggested in the included instructions because the door has to raise up enough to allow enough space for 16 oz cans. It doesn't need to raise straight up either, just high enough to fit in that bigger can. I ended up measuring up 50" from the ground. This measurement really has to do with how tall you are. As long as you aren't bending over or reaching way high, 50-51" should be about perfect. Well, I had fun with this little project and so glad i bought this one. It should last many, many years and do its job wonderfully. Buy with confidence, then do these few things to it to make it perfect! Happy crushing!!

Got this one after I broke three with rod frames in a month. This one is a very solid piece of equipment made of steel. It has plenty of leverage, and I've had it for well over two years.One thing I like is that it can be mounted to crush on the down-stroke, or crush on the up-stroke. Most folks apparently like to use their weight to do the work. But I mounted mine upside down to work on the up-stroke. Either way works just fine.It does have one design flaw that is easy to correct. The pin that anchors the linkage in the outer shell came loose after about a year. The problem, and why they did it that way, was obvious at a glance. The fix was a no-brainer. Drill a half-inch hole in one side of the shell. The hole has to be aligned with the linkage where the broken pin was. Go to the hardware store and get a shackle pin the same diameter as the old one, but a 1/4 or 3/8 of an inch longer. (Take the old pin to the store to match the diameter.) You want the kind with a head on one end and a small hole at the other for a cotter key. Get a cotter key to fit the hole in the new shackle pin. Insert the shackle pin through the drilled hole and into the linkage. Put in the cotter key, bend it over, and it's a done deal. About 5 minutes, not counting the trip to get the hardware. You may never have to fool with any of this, but it's easy. And that little half-inch hole you drilled will not compromise the strength of the shell. No chance. It's not going to break. So I give it 5 stars and a salute.One comment made elsewhere is that sometimes it tends to pop the can out at the start of a stroke. Pressing a dent into the can before you put it in helps minimize that and stabilizing the can with a finger tip until it starts to crush helps too.But be careful. The crusher hesitates as the pressure builds, and then when the can collapses, it collapses rapidly. The can may tear or fold into very sharp points as it is crushed; like teeth. If you keep the finger in contact too long you risk a cut or "bitten" finger. Oh my, that do hurt. But all of this is pretty much true of any can crusher, and this one won't break unless you have a trained gorilla trying to crush sections of pipe.We go through about 10 to 12 diet soft drinks cans a day every day (don't ask). This tool has been chugging along happily and efficiently squashing cans for almost three years now and will probably outlive me.