Stupidest question I ever asked: Anybody know where I can get empty beer cans?

[Raider Bill]

I have several complete collections of Harley Bike Week beers.
They sat on a display shelf in a cabinet for years, untouched.
Not sure when or why but many of them became empty. Tops are intact but I'm suspecting the varnish or whatever the shelf had been treated with somehow reacted with the aluminum cans and they developed microscopic holes on the bottom enough that the beer leaked out slowly over a longterm.
Looking at them with a naked eye I cannot see anything.

[GRANITEstateMP]

Tom, when I worked for the town we'd have to run to the scrap yard every other week to empty the town can trailer. Every once in a while there would be a pallet or two of unused cans that the local brewery would drop to get recycled. I was told they were normally mislabeled OR that the particular brew had been discontinued. Might be worth checking?

[Old Greenhorn]

Well I did my first test can outside this afternoon and I didn't wind up wearing a drop of it, which surprised even me. Then I set it up to drain in a .3 liter mug. Worked perfect.



 
Then I weighted the can in a bucket of water and let it refill to rinse it. Then drained it again. 

 I will do one or two a day until I have what I need. I am am also going to keep my eyes open for a source of sealed unused cans some place. Guess I'll have to check every micro brew house around and we have a lot! ;D :D ;D

[beenthere]

Who woulda thunk  ??? : 8)

[Dan_Shade]

Didn't want to do it in the kitchen? 

[Old Greenhorn]

Well it's funny but that first one was perfect. The second one I did in the shop and didn't spill nary a drop. But on the third one I had both holes in and bobbled it when positioning it on the mug and dropped it, which led to an energetic effusion of golden liquid. :D
 I will revisit this task again tomorrow. I don't wish to push my luck any further today. ;D

[doc henderson]

you have to print some labels with your brand on them.  these could get coated on the inside with epoxy to make them feel rigid (like pressurized) and have a little weight.  you need a custom tool like the old oil can filler that punctured the can. 8) 8) 8)

[Old Greenhorn]

With all due respect Doc, I don't think I need to do any of those things. :D :D
 I just wanted 6 cans to show the usage of the caddy.  ;D
 I got 4 cans done today, will do the other two tomorrow. After I made a mess on the 3rd, I wanted to make sure I could get it right and did the 4th.
 This is a small display detail, not a big deal. Still, I will keep on the hunt at the smaller brew pubs. It's a noble quest.

[doc henderson]

you can be their celebrity advertiser.  I only used the word "need" when suggesting a new tool.    That is protocol. ;D

[Old Greenhorn]

OK, well I don't want to do it either. :D :D

[Resonator]

But on the third one I had both holes in and bobbled it when positioning it on the mug and dropped it, which led to an energetic effusion of golden liquid.

Maybe limit yourself to 2 a day? ???

[21incher]

I didn't realize people still drank beer from cans. You should make matching bottle carriers and see which sells best. Would be easy to put your Logo on labels for the bottle and cap them. Heck you could even make fortune bottles you put an old Chinese saying rolled up inside to give to people that spend over a SGU.

[Old Greenhorn]

Maybe limit yourself to 2 a day? ???

Are you NUTS?! :D ;D
 Then I might as well make my next project be a 6' pine box because I have nothing else to live for. Bite your tongue man!
-------------------
21 us working folks drink canned beer, it's cheaper and easier to handle the recycling nonsense. Bottles are a pain in the butt. Now if I treat myself to something nice I might get it in bottles if that's how it comes.

[Stephen1]

I think we should all limit beer to 2.........at a time. We only have 2 hands. 

[Old Greenhorn]

True. But draining these is more like a surgical procedure, so care and caution are advised. I still have two remaining to be done, but I'll do one at a time.

[DbltreeBelgians]

Oh Tom,
Let me do a little looking around. I worked for Ball Corp. Yeah the mason jar company. I worked 34 years for their metal container division wrenching on equipment that made pop and beer cans and the ends on top. I have a stash of cans somewhere. Many with a coin slot in the top. The auction that I told you about that I went to yesterday had a 24 pack of Ohio State Buckeye cans that were never filled. Wish I had saw this post sooner as I'm sure that would have been perfect and I would've been more than HAPPY to ship you some OSU memorabilia. ;D
Anyhow I'll do some searching.

Brent 

[Old Greenhorn]

Thanks Brent, but you gotta get out more and keep up with what's going on.  :D :D ;D

[moosehunter]

A good buddy found an intact but completely empty can in an Old Swill 30 rack. 
He had a lot fun handing that can to unsuspecting guests.
One day he handed it to the wrong person and it got crushed! Some people have no sense of humor when it comes to their beer!
mh

[doc henderson]

Brent, did you bid and get the buckeye cans?  @Cardiodoc is a big BE fan.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, lets not all go crazy here. I appreciate the help but I emptied two more cans last night and have the 6 pack I need for display. I might pick out some nicer beer if these things sell enough for me to make more, but this is the end of the show season, so it will likely be next year. I am anxious to see how/if any sell this Saturday.

[doc henderson]

does that mean you will wear a half shirt to the show, so folks can see your "six pack"?!

[Old Greenhorn]

No, if I did that they would see a mini-keg. :D

[petefrom bearswamp]

OG you re fortunate, I now have a half keg

[DbltreeBelgians]

Brent, did you bid and get the buckeye cans?  @Cardiodoc is a big BE fan.

No sir I did not. I have enough memorabilia cans from Ball Metal so I wasn't interested.

Brent