Aluminium beverage cans provide a fabulous material for making models. This is how I extract it. The aim is to get the largest amount of usable material from each can. The useful bit is the plain cylindrical section between the two curvy ends.

I’ll add photos soon.

warning    There are sharp edges created in this process – take care.

1.    Cut the top off the can. This has already been done in the photo.

I use one of those can openers where  a hardened disk does the cutting and a serrated wheel drives the cutter around the top as you twist its key. It cuts off the crimped end of the can. Note: I have tried using the can opener on the bottom of the can, but it doesn’t work very well.

2.   Using household scissors (general purpose ones – best avoid favourite dressmaking scissors, hair dressers scissors etc), cut down the length of the can – usually there is a line of text printed on the can that you can follow to keep your cut square.

3.    Use the scissors to cut off the curved section at the top, leaving the plain cylinder at that end.

4.    Use the scissors to cut off the curved section at the bottom, leaving the plain cylinder at that end.

4.    At this stage you have a slit cylinder about 60 mm in diameter, generally with  rough edges

5.    Open up the slit cylinder (mind the rough edges), and mark out the largest rectangle you can.

6.    Trim the edges.

You now have the basic material.