How to cut open an aluminium drink can

1. Place the point of the scissors against the leading edge of the aluminium drink can (henceforth the can) on the side on which it can be opened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Using a tipping movement turn the scissors into the sheet of the can, all the while pressing it against the opening rim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Push the point of the scissors inside the can, and – while continuing to apply pressure on it against the can’s opening rim – turn it out of the can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Cut around the straight side of the can’s mantle working towards the left.
(Cutting in the opposite direction would cause the sheet to burr because of the way scissors work! If you do not cut all the way around the mantle you will obtain a can with a top into which you can collect the unnecessary sheet cuttings.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. If you have done everything correctly, you should have the following at this point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Proceed to cut the mantle of the can lengthwise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. When you reach the bottom plate, you can determine the direction of the final cut by using a left-arcing cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Cutting towards the left separate the can’s mantle from its bottom, while with your left hand bend the mantle sheet outwards.
(Keep the bottom plate: you can use it later as a wheel.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Final result