Steel food can crusher

I was wanting to build a steel can crusher for food cans and such (up to quart size). Anyway I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the power compenets of such a device. Seems a power screw would be simplest way but I've never used one, so are they sensitive to non-linear movement. My fear is that the crusher would rack/parallelogram and causes problem with the lead screw.

I also consider pneumatics/hydraulics but they would be complicated and a little expensive. Electic actuators would be great but they're too pricey for the capcity needed.

I'm thinking of adapting the guts of one two electric scissor jacks as this seems to be the cheapest way to get a decent power screw with motor and trans. to twist. They're cheap and if they can lift a ton or two they should be able to crush some cans.

Any suggestions?

Consider using a bottle jack in place of the scissor jacks. You will need a spring to return the ram after pressing the can. Google bottle jack press and you will get lots of ideas.

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RE: Steel food can crusher

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