Loosening/Dislodging Metal?

[SweetErika]

The cap is stuck on my cocktail shaker. It's one of the models that has about a 1" collar coming off of the top, and the cap fits over that. It's always been a snug fit, but has never gotten stuck before, and it's a great shaker, so I'd love to salvage it. We hand-wash and it's never been dropped, so I don't think it could have gotten warped or anything...it's just stuck!

We've tried:
-Washing several times (in case some sugar from juice is acting as an adhesive),
-Brut force twisting
-Freezing (in hopes of contracting, though now that I think about it, that's likely shrinking both the collar and the lid equally )
-Punching the lid through the holes with a (albeit flimsy) metal skewer

Any other ideas? I'm willing to try just about anything at this point since it's completely useless with a fused cap right now.

 

[pinkeden]

The cap is stuck on my cocktail shaker. It's one of the models that has about a 1" collar coming off of the top, and the cap fits over that. It's always been a snug fit, but has never gotten stuck before, and it's a great shaker, so I'd love to salvage it. We hand-wash and it's never been dropped, so I don't think it could have gotten warped or anything...it's just stuck!

We've tried:
-Washing several times (in case some sugar from juice is acting as an adhesive),
-Brut force twisting
-Freezing (in hopes of contracting, though now that I think about it, that's likely shrinking both the collar and the lid equally )
-Punching the lid through the holes with a (albeit flimsy) metal skewer

Any other ideas? I'm willing to try just about anything at this point since it's completely useless with a fused cap right now.

Let it sit in/ under HOT running water for a while, get a teatowel (or towel, protect your handsies!_ and a strong man and see if he can "twist" the lid off.

Good luck!

 

[silverwhisper]

i would think heating a kettle of hot water and filling/immersing the shaker with it might do the trick. and do be careful of your fingers. :>

you know, there really should be a "hints from heloise" website.

ed

 

[Christine43]

Yes, like the previous poster said, but try this. Put it in the freezer to really chill it, then take it out and run only the top under hot water by tilting it sideways. That way you have the bottome and top at two temperature extremes and maybe you can separate the two. Running the top under hot water often helps with sticky jar lids, though you can't put it in the freezer first for risk of cracking the glass!

 

[TBKahuna123]

OK this may sound wierd, but do you have an Oil Filter Wrench? The would give you some extra torque.

Other than that, I can't think of anything.

Oh wait, did it sit for a long time like this? Maybe a little rust developed or something? Try shooting some WD40 around the collar perhaps.

 

[Christine43]

you know, there really should be a "hints from heloise" website.

ed

You rang sir???

 

[Quoll]

Heat and rapid cooling may unstick them.
Just be careful if it has a glass bottom as it can also crack glass.
Perhaps inverting it and dribbling some oil (or silicone lube ) around the rim and letting it work it's way in.

Edit: Sonofabitch, pipped at the post.

 

[Guest]

 

[silverwhisper]

christine: i had no idea she was online! thanks!

ed

 

[TBKahuna123]

a last case scenario might be using a pipe wrench....like TBK said to get the extra tourque....however it would most likely mar any metal. I wouldn't use it on glass.

That's why I recommended a Filter Wrench. It won't mar the metal, or at least not as bad. There's also those nifty Strap Wrenches I've seen. That would work great too.

 

[Quoll]

You know if this was to be confused with the loose pussy thread, then someones in for a hell of a shock.

 

[Guest]

 

[rosco rathbone]

Heat it to cherry-red with a torch and then put a cheater pipe on the wrench and get a couple of guys to give you a hand.

 

[Christine43]

christine: i had no idea she was online! thanks!

ed

You're welcome Ed...though I notice there's not a lot of tips there...maybe it's subtle pressure to buy her books?

 

[SweetErika]

I knew you guys would have great ideas!

Just so we're clear, this is what we're dealing with (the cap in the lower left -though mine doesn't have grooves- is stuck on the top, but the top is not stuck on the shaker cup):

http://www.haircomesthebride.com/images/Wedding%20party%20gifts/cocktail%20shaker.jpg

It's been in the freezer for days, and I just tried hot water on just the very top. Didn't work.

I tried boiling the top for a good 10 minutes. Nope.

I think the real problem is that I can't get a good grip on the cap because it's so smooth and there's no contour to get a grasp on. Towels, silicone/rubber mitts and potholders slip right off too. I don't think it's rusted or is stuck because of residue.

Edit: I'll try the silicone lube next, quoll...I do have a whole pint of it, after all.

At this point, I don't really care if I scratch the top, so all practical suggestions are welcome.

The filter and other wrenches seem worth a try. Do you think I'd get somewhere if I went into the hardware store with a smile, some cleavage, and asked the guys to demonstrate their tools that will get my top off?

 

[silverwhisper]

[cheesy announcer voice]we have a winnah![/cheesy announcer voice]

:>

ed

 

[bobsgirl]

I have a rubber jar opener that fits over the lids of jars to give you a little extra traction. Or what about rubber gloves--the kind you wear when you wash dishes?

 

[Eilan]

You know if this was to be confused with the loose pussy thread, then someones in for a hell of a shock.

It would take reading comprehension skills worse than mine for that to happen. Or at least I'd think so, anyway.

 

[Guest]

 

[SweetErika]

I have a rubber jar opener that fits over the lids of jars to give you a little extra traction. Or what about rubber gloves--the kind you wear when you wash dishes?

That's a really good idea, and I'm going to use it next time I have trouble with a jar! Unfortunately, it's not working on this, but I'm sure my lack of strength doesn't help.

Scaly, I'm pretty sure we have those, and I'll have hubby find them when he gets home, along with the oil filter wrench. But you also gave me another idea... we're going to my father-in-law's for the weekend, and I can ask him to put his woodworking, boatbuilding, and household tools to task on this. He loves this type of problem solving, and it should be a bonding experience provided he doesn't get too frustrated.

 

[Guest]

 

[EJFan]

i would imagine the fact that it's the small lid is what's making it difficult... not much to really hold on to there. i'm sorry to learn of this fiasco and only hope it's not forcing you on the wagon.

unfortunately i don't have anything to add. while i'm here though, if anyone knows how to unstick a stuck telescoping pole, i'd love to hear suggestions... i've tried all the logical stuff (lubing, heating, cooling, brute force, wrenches of various kinds, et al).

 

[TBKahuna123]

The filter and other wrenches seem worth a try. Do you think I'd get somewhere if I went into the hardware store with a smile, some cleavage, and asked the guys to demonstrate their tools that will get my top off?

Well, that's the first time I ever wished I worked at a hardware store!

I agree with Scally. Whe I saw you were tryign to get the small top off I thought of channel locks too. If you put something around it first, like an old rubber tire or something that would still have some grip, you wouldn't have to worry about sratching the surface. Seeing how small the cap it though, I wouldn't worry about a filter wrench. I was thinking it was the big top and the shaker itself that were stuck.

 

[SweetErika]

i'm sorry to learn of this fiasco and only hope it's not forcing you on the wagon.

Not likely! 'Tis the season for ports, sherry, brandy and liqueurs. Plus, the other day a cute little Kahlua shaker I sent for (I can never pass up freebies) arrived in the mail, so I've had a few pomegranate martinis of late.

Mmmmm....alcomohol.

 

[Quoll]

It would take reading comprehension skills worse than mine for that to happen. Or at least I'd think so, anyway.

There's been a bit of that going on lately, just ask silver.