Soldering cans together?

Tostitos · 01-31-2007

I have a soldering gun in my shop somewhere, and I'm creating a monster bazooka cantenna. Four or five coffee cans.

Yes, I know it's more than I need. I know it's impractical, oversized, non-optimal diameter, and that people will assume I'm compensating for something.

I don't care. I'm going to take the advice that people gave to some other guy, spraypaint it olive drab, and stencil military looking acronyms on it, along with an epoxied pistol grip and scope.

Before I do that, though, I need to bond the cans. Can I do it with just solder, or will I need to weld them? I'm only thinking about the electrical connection, it seems that giant hose ring clamps and duct tape would do well enough for the structure.

Airstreamer · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tostitos

I have a soldering gun in my shop somewhere, and I'm creating a monster bazooka cantenna. Four or five coffee cans.

Yes, I know it's more than I need. I know it's impractical, oversized, non-optimal diameter, and that people will assume I'm compensating for something.

I don't care. I'm going to take the advice that people gave to some other guy, spraypaint it olive drab, and stencil military looking acronyms on it, along with an epoxied pistol grip and scope.

Before I do that, though, I need to bond the cans. Can I do it with just solder, or will I need to weld them? I'm only thinking about the electrical connection, it seems that giant hose ring clamps and duct tape would do well enough for the structure.

Since what you're doing is purely for show, it wouldn't matter if you used chewing gum.

Tostitos · 01-31-2007

I do actually intend to use it, and it looks like I'll get a db boost (three cans = ~20" = wavelength) that will work out.

Hmh. If it's just a conservative three cans the proportions look wrong, so in that case it would be back to using chunky beef stew cans of the right diameter, like my inspiration: http://www.lincomatic.com/wireless/homebrewant.html (scroll)

Either way, I'll need to solder a bunch of cans together, so I can take pictures, make a writeup, and test it. If it's a "Tsar-tenna", what's so bad about it as long as it works?

itsnotme · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tostitos

I do actually intend to use it, and it looks like I'll get a db boost (three cans = ~20" = wavelength) that will work out.

Hmh. If it's just a conservative three cans the proportions look wrong, so in that case it would be back to using chunky beef stew cans of the right diameter, like my inspiration: http://www.lincomatic.com/wireless/homebrewant.html (scroll)

Either way, I'll need to solder a bunch of cans together, so I can take pictures, make a writeup, and test it. If it's a "Tsar-tenna", what's so bad about it as long as it works?

Can you give us the scientific basis for this? There's a reason why they used the dimensions they did for the coffee can antenna, but wouldn't rigging together 3 cans make the signal bounce around too much?

rogerRabbit · 01-31-2007

Soldering will be fine. Just make sure that the connection is all around the circumference, i.e. no 'spot' soldering.

Thorn · 01-31-2007

Soldering will be difficult unless you have a very high-wattage iron. Brazing would be preferable.

Starpoint · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorn

Soldering will be difficult unless you have a very high-wattage iron. Brazing would be preferable.

Ahh.. be a man and TIG weld it..

streaker69 · 01-31-2007

This one MIGHT have enough heat to solder two cans.

http://www.action-electronics.com/weguns.htm

Scruge · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstreamer

Since what you're doing is purely for show, it wouldn't matter if you used chewing gum.

Bazooka?

rogerRabbit · 01-31-2007

And if your soldering gear isn't up to the job then try a few 'spot' solders and wrap self-adhesive copper tape around the join.

Thorn · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starpoint

Ahh.. be a man and TIG weld it..

I've got ocy/acetylene and I've got a small arc welder, but a no TIG setup. After all, do I look like one of the Teutuls?

Scruge · 01-31-2007

Other options might include.
1. Small propane torch
2. Hot air gun
3. Preheat cans to 250-350 degrees F
4. Insert 100 watt light bulb inside cans

brwrdrvr · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruge

Other options might include.
1. Small propane torch
2. Hot air gun
3. Preheat cans to 250-350 degrees F
4. Insert 100 watt light bulb inside cans

Kids. Don't try this at home. Scruge is a trained professional and has been burned once or twice trying to put in motion the suggestions above.

Dutch · 01-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorn

I've got ocy/acetylene and I've got a small arc welder, but a no TIG setup. After all, do I look like one of the Teutuls?

THAT sounds like a challenge for a Pchop moment...

Dutch

Scruge · 01-31-2007

Now that you mention it, there is a striking resemblance to Mikey.

01-31-2007	#1 (permalink)
Tostitos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30	Soldering cans together? I have a soldering gun in my shop somewhere, and I'm creating a monster bazooka cantenna. Four or five coffee cans. Yes, I know it's more than I need. I know it's impractical, oversized, non-optimal diameter, and that people will assume I'm compensating for something. I don't care. I'm going to take the advice that people gave to some other guy, spraypaint it olive drab, and stencil military looking acronyms on it, along with an epoxied pistol grip and scope. Before I do that, though, I need to bond the cans. Can I do it with just solder, or will I need to weld them? I'm only thinking about the electrical connection, it seems that giant hose ring clamps and duct tape would do well enough for the structure.

01-31-2007	#6 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,360	Soldering will be difficult unless you have a very high-wattage iron. Brazing would be preferable. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

01-31-2007	#8 (permalink)
streaker69 Psychic Amish Stumbler Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Virginville, BlueBall, Bird In Hand, Intercourse, Paradise, PA Posts: 12,240	This one MIGHT have enough heat to solder two cans. http://www.action-electronics.com/weguns.htm __________________ Treat your gun like your genitals, only whip it out when it's absolutely necessary.

01-31-2007	#12 (permalink)
Scruge Nyuk nyuk! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: TX Posts: 1,445	Other options might include. 1. Small propane torch 2. Hot air gun 3. Preheat cans to 250-350 degrees F 4. Insert 100 watt light bulb inside cans __________________ KNSGEM A wifi boundary plotter for Google Earth Click Me

01-31-2007	#15 (permalink)
Scruge Nyuk nyuk! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: TX Posts: 1,445	Now that you mention it, there is a striking resemblance to Mikey. __________________ KNSGEM A wifi boundary plotter for Google Earth Click Me

01-31-2007	#3 (permalink)
Tostitos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30	I do actually intend to use it, and it looks like I'll get a db boost (three cans = ~20" = wavelength) that will work out. Hmh. If it's just a conservative three cans the proportions look wrong, so in that case it would be back to using chunky beef stew cans of the right diameter, like my inspiration: http://www.lincomatic.com/wireless/homebrewant.html (scroll) Either way, I'll need to solder a bunch of cans together, so I can take pictures, make a writeup, and test it. If it's a "Tsar-tenna", what's so bad about it as long as it works?

01-31-2007	#5 (permalink)
rogerRabbit Peripatetic Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Motueka Posts: 219	Soldering will be fine. Just make sure that the connection is all around the circumference, i.e. no 'spot' soldering.

01-31-2007	#10 (permalink)
rogerRabbit Peripatetic Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Motueka Posts: 219	And if your soldering gear isn't up to the job then try a few 'spot' solders and wrap self-adhesive copper tape around the join.

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