Oil can openers

[Gaspasser]

Many years ago I remember using a sheet metal fabricated spout to open tins of turbine engine oil.
The end of the spout had a sharp triangular shaped end which pierced the top of the tin and then allowed you to pour out the oil.
Does anyone have any clue if these are still available and where I can buy them.
Or does anyone know of a similar device?
Thanks

[Arnie Dan Otherdump]

I know the ones you mean, I still have mine someplace from my times at Gatwick in the 70's. Mine came from a consignment of 2380 cases and it might be worth your while contacting the oil suppliers. You never know, you might get lucky. One thing I do know is that they are of little use on the RR B777, makes the can and opener all a bit too clumsy to get in the acess panel but was great for the B707 !

[loon767]

I got my ones through mobil, when we ordered oil we asked for the pouring spouts and they were delivered at the same time as the pallet of oil. They were pretty damned useful for some applications.

[MisterBliss]

Lufthansa used to have them!

When I was a ground engineer we normally askes the flightattendants if they could spare one.
On board they are used for opening cans of orange jus , but they work on oil cans as well.....

[glhcarl]

Check e-Bay item #250016291760, just put the number in the "SEARCH" area and hit search.

[Boodserdowe]

Food for thought

Hi guys. this is my first message on the site.
Many many years ago when I was in the Australian Air force these items were banned from use because it was found that the opener was occasionally producing a sliver of metal which contaminated the engine or wherever the oil was going.

[b3nle]

i've got an old school carlsberg can opener, much better than a screw driver!

[CV880]

Operator I used to work for back in the 60's and 70's had a similar problem with slivers of the plating either off the cans of oil or the opener/spout getting into the engine oil and brazed mesh screens over the spouts. I don't think it affected the engines but it messed up the SOAP (Spectrographic Oil Analysis Program) results on the JT3D and had the engineers wondering where the metal in the oil was coming from.

[SNS3Guppy]

I have an old spout assembly for cans in my box, still in the plastic wrapper. I don't use it. They're messy and they can introduce metal from the can into the engine or oil system. I use a standard "church key" triangle can opener which pierces a triangle shape in the can. I punch one slowly in the top of the can, then rotate it 180 and punch another for a vent. If any doubt arises over the material being poured, it can be poured through a filter.

These openers, usually called "church keys," can be had anywhere that sells kitchen supplies. They're usually a dollar or so. They're flat, fit in a flight bag or just about anywhere, and clean up more easily than a spout assembly does. No mess. If I'm traveling with one, I like to keep it in a plastic sandwich bag to prevent contamination of the tool, and to keep any oil residue of my things.

[miata]

warning on using these spouts

Used to be on line for twenty years.About 8 years ago these spouts were banned for contaminating the oil with silver residue. Not a good idea.Cheers and happy oiling.

[Kulwin Park]

I think a company called Spruce Aircraft Spares or something like that may sell them in the US .... ??

[NorthSeaTiger]

Hardware shop on George street in Aberdeen 59p each.

NST

[NutLoose]

Hey Guys, I got one for free in the post today, It has a web address on it if you want to buy one. they are none metallic so do not put any debris in the oil. its a nice little tool

Check the site out at WWW.THECANKEY.COM


Mine was sent to me by Adams Aviation as a freebie with an order.... It has their name and Exxon Mobil on it, so may be available from them. phone number on it too [phone]

[ShyTorque]

I know I will incur the wrath of purists everywhere...but I just stab the can with a closed pair of fine nosed pliers kept in the top of the aircraft toolbox(obviously ensure they're clean first). Makes a neat round hole and because the pliers are of tougher material than a "church key" they won't produce metal debris.

If making another vent hole on the opposite side of the can by this method, just make sure you cover the first hole, or you risk wearing the oil yourself..

[smudgethecat]

i bought a couple from morrisons (the supermarket chain) for around 60p each last month

[Gaspasser]

Thanks NutLoose This is exactly what I was looking for

[SNS3Guppy]

Contamination going into the oil isn't from the pliers, church key, knife, screwdriver or other tool...it's from the can.

[Daysleeper]

Leatherman?

One hole to pour , two opposite side to vent. Used it for years on the Allison 501.

[TwoDeadDogs]

Hi all
I agree with Shy and Day.Your Leatherman has loads of can opening devices in it, especially the closed jaws of the pliers.Haven't failed me yet in near ten years of service, opening 2380 and others.
regards
TDD