Bicycle Mechanics - Chain-Shake Container

I am having problems fishing my chain out of one liter Pepsi or Coke bottles with mineral spirits as suggested by Sheldon Brown.
The chain bunches up and I always have to drain away the mineral spirits and then cut the bottles in two to get my chain out.

This is getting old:( I tried using a JIF peanut butter jar, but the mineral spirits seeps out, as the lid is not air-tight.

Is there any container that can be recommended? It will have to have a wide-enough mouth to allow a bunched-up chain to be removed from it and it will also need to have an air-tight lid to keep the mineral spirits in during vigorous shaking.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Regards

How about laundry soap?
if you cut off the built in funnel thingie you might be able to get a properly bent coathanger down there.

How about laundry soap?
if you cut off the built in funnel thingie you might be able to get a properly bent coathanger down there.

funny, i was looking at a used-up container earlier and thinking the same thing.

i've often used plastic soup containers from chinese take-out often as a small parts washer, as well as the small, "home-size" gojo containers. they hold up to solovents well; whether they seal well enough for a good shaking, i don't know.

I'm partial to the wide-mouthed Gatorade bottle.

I use Country Time Lemonade containers and a magnetic wand

Umm, Purina One catfood comes in a jug with a very wide mouth. Big enough to stick your arm in for sure.

I use old bicycle water bottles.

Use an old spoke to fish the chain out. Takes some fiddling, but it has worked for me everytime!

Wide mouth Gatorade bottles are good. I used an old tupperware-type jug with a screw-on top.

Juice bottle (I think it's OceanSpray cranberry), bottle is rectangular, so you can lie it on its side to let the chain soak, even has some ridges to hold the chain above the deposited gunk.

I like my chain stirred, not shaken. :)

Had the same problem as you. Now, I just use a coffee can, neatly coil up the chain at the bottom, add your favorite solvent to cover chain and swoosh around a minute. Empty and repeat one more time for a final rinse and you're done. Store the solvent in a bottle to let the crud settle to the bottom and reuse over and over.

I use a round biscuit tin.

Charles

I use old Gatorade type bottles but screw in a cheap hook to the cap. I attach the chain to the hook so it is always easy to pull out.

I use one of these (http://www.ziploc.com/food-storage-containers/).

http://www.ziploc.com/i/hdr_snapnsealcont2.gif
http://www.ziploc.com/i/diagram_snapnseallids.gif

They're considered semi-disposable. You can pick up a 4-pack of them for about $3. They seal up pretty well.

I use an old cycling water bottle - several reasons:

1. Wide mouth for getting chain out.
2. narrow spout for upending bottle and emptying solvent into container without chain getting in the way, solvent spilling, and residue staying behind. When empty, easy to get the next round of solvent in for the next shake.

I use an old cycling water bottle - several reasons:

1. Wide mouth for getting chain out.
2. narrow spout for upending bottle and emptying solvent into container without chain getting in the way, solvent spilling, and residue staying behind. When empty, easy to get the next round of solvent in for the next shake.

you pretty smart

I use one of these (http://www.ziploc.com/food-storage-containers/).

http://www.ziploc.com/i/hdr_snapnsealcont2.gif
http://www.ziploc.com/i/diagram_snapnseallids.gif

They're considered semi-disposable. You can pick up a 4-pack of them for about $3. They seal up pretty well.Thanks Khuon. Can you really shake the Ziploc container vigorously without spilling the solvent?

Regards

I use an old cycling water bottle - several reasons:

1. Wide mouth for getting chain out.
2. narrow spout for upending bottle and emptying solvent into container without chain getting in the way, solvent spilling, and residue staying behind. When empty, easy to get the next round of solvent in for the next shake.Are you sure an old cycling water bottle would not spill the solvent through the spout when you shake vigorously to try and shake loose the metal specks and other crud on the chain? Also, how do you fish out the chain when it has bunched-up during the shake? I am thinking the mouth of a cycling water bottle is just not wide enough.

Regards

I think Khuon has the best potential solution thus far. The only big "unknown" is if the Ziploc container's lid will be air-tight enough to keep the solvent inside the container during a vigorous shake.

I especially anticipate being very appreciative of the wide mouth of the Ziploc container. This means I would have "conquered" chain-bunch and sawing thru Pepsi and Coke liter bottles.

Khuon, do you shake the Ziploc, or do you just leave the whole contraption on your washing machine for the crud to be vibrated out of the chain? It makes a difference between shaking and leaving atop the washing machine.

Regards

Khuon, do you shake the Ziploc, or do you just leave the whole contraption on your washing machine for the crud to be vibrated out of the chain?

I've done both. If I've had a particularly frustrating day then it's the former. If I'm lazy then it's the latter. ;)

Don't have one yet, but I've always thought one of those ultrasonic parts cleaners would be great for cleaning chains. Wish I could find one big enough for a chain or two yet affordable...

Are you sure an old cycling water bottle would not spill the solvent through the spout when you shake vigorously to try and shake loose the metal specks and other crud on the chain?
No problem whatsoever. What I usually do is squeeze the bottle a bit before closing spout so it's under negative pressure to begin with. May do it again after a few seconds of shaking. Any spillage is very minimal if at all.

Also, how do you fish out the chain when it has bunched-up during the shake? I am thinking the mouth of a cycling water bottle is just not wide enough.
It's way wide enough, at least the ones I'm using, I estimate almost 2". I use a bent piece of wire, snag it and just pull out. Usually comes out with no problems.

Don't have one yet, but I've always thought one of those ultrasonic parts cleaners would be great for cleaning chains. Wish I could find one big enough for a chain or two yet affordable...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3305
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93035
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91957

Are you sure an old cycling water bottle would not spill the solvent through the spout when you shake vigorously to try and shake loose the metal specks and other crud on the chain? Also, how do you fish out the chain when it has bunched-up during the shake? I am thinking the mouth of a cycling water bottle is just not wide enough.

Regards

I use an old cycling bottle, too (see post #7); it's a good way to keep old friends around.

I hold my finger over the spout while shaking; no leakage.

As to the chain bunching up, another quick shake usually frees it up enough to come out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3305
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93035
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91957

Right Click - Copy Shortcut.... thank you!

Right Click - Copy Shortcut.... thank you!
No problem I just remember seeing the cheap one in the flyer so I posted the links.