Broke an ammo can with my bare hands

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.cheese.

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Whoops. I bought an ammo can today at the gunshow (2 actually) and noticed when I got home that the little swinging rectangular wire-loop (I assume it's a handle to help with opening, or something to aide in transportation) had been put on backwards, with the break in the wire actually in the middle of the exposed loop, rather than behind the hinge where it's supposed to be. I didn't even really think about it, I just figured that would be easy to reverse, just bend it, slip it out, and rebend it in place.

SNAP!

It is no longer. Well, actually it is, it's just in 2 pieces.

The red part in the photo (not my photo) highlights what I broke.

I figure a welding torch and some wire of the same guage would be an easy replacement, just heat it up with the torch and bend it into the same shape, then cut and put in place.

Agreed?
 

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Most of my ammo cans don't even have that second loop. Maybe I just learned why. In any event, it's not needed, so I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I always wondered what that loop was there for in the first place. Doesn't help with loading/carrying, isn't part of the latch system.

In any case, I think firing up a torch and re-working wire to fix it is a bit much, but if it floats your boat go for it.
 
1hourHulkSmash.jpg
 
.cheese.

I figure a welding torch and some wire of the same guage would be an easy replacement, just heat it up with the torch and bend it into the same shape, then cut and put in place.
Click to expand...

Ahhhh...

So you have welding skills to go along with your carpentry skills?
 
The loop is there so that it can be pulled from that end (like out of a box, or shelf) without using the latch, which would cause it to open and spill ammo all over the place.
 
Ahhhh...

So you have welding skills to go along with your carpentry skills?
Click to expand...

Not sure if that was meant to be sarcastic. I know enough about woodworking to build what I need (I'm not an expert, but I can usually build what I need to without much trouble), and enough about metal-working to do some basic stuff. I usually only do metal working when working on or fixing wire-frame light sculptures for my annual holiday light display. This would be along the same lines. Usually I have to heat up wire to bend it to the shape I need when I'm either modifying an existing wireframe or building a new one from scratch (or other things that I use in the display).

There's no welding involved in this though. It's just heating up the metal to make it pliable. I'm not talking about a modern type electric welding device. I just have an old fashioned gas torch.

CSB220 - my personal trainer jokes that I should come to the gym painted green because lately with weight I've been the Hulk.
 
as said, it's not a necessary item, but I'd bet a section of metal coat hanger re-bent to shape would be awful close in thickness and should be easy enough to make/bend.
 
yes i think you can replace the little wire handle too, it shouldn't be too tough to make a new one.
Could you tell us what the four sheet metal screws are there for, is it holding something ingeniously to the inside of the canister?
 
Could you tell us what the four sheet metal screws are there for, is it holding something ingeniously to the inside of the canister?
Click to expand...

haven't a clue. It isn't my photo. I found it online to highlight in red the bar I had broken. I didn't even notice those screws until you mentioned them.

Odd. I wonder what they're for too.
But can you open an commie spam can with your teeth?
Click to expand...

My teeth???? You gotta be kidding me. All I need is my pinky nail.
 
sticky lid

I also hold onto it on boxes with sticky lids, fortunately most of my cans are so full they must weigh at least 70#'s so no problems with the lid not coming open if not latched.
 
Great, now I gotta go to the safe and see if that loop's on MY ammo cans.

Thanks .cheese., thanks a lot.
( maybe I'll fondle some guns while I'm there)

ETA good thing I went all my ammo cans were in the safe backwards. Got to fondle my guns too, thanks .cheese., thanks a lot.
 
None of mine have that red loop.

A couple still have the metal wire with the lead keeper thing still intact. ;)
 
You big stud, you.

treo, you got me thinking: I bet the reason the red loop is there isn't for actually carrying the can but for pulling it out when it's on a shelf. On the other hand, perhaps it's there so soldiers can wrap silver pipe cleaners around it near Christmastime and be festive. Either one works.
 
I was thinking there was some sort of pressure switch mounted inside the can for some odd unmentionable reason.
But of course none of the good high road travelers would have reason to make such a thing.
Thanks Cheese, I only wondered.
All the same, you should be able to fix it if you need that wire loop.
A man came up with the idea of ammo cans, so if your as mechanically inclined as I believe you may be.
Could you please when you have time, post photos of the new and improved ammo can. :D
 
btw - I just want to be clear. That handle is NOT red. I made it look red using The GIMP Image Editor (Linux and BSD equivalent to Photoshop).

It is the same color as the can on every can I have, .30 cal, .50 cal, and SAW.

In case anybody was wondering why there can's handle isn't red - it isn't supposed to be.
 
I bet I have 50 cans - none have a red loop on them - some are greener than others some kind of grey but none are red - that is just wierd.
 
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