Desktop Tin Can Trashcan

This is a really neat way to upcycle and give cans a second life!

A real trash to... trash project!

This works well as a pen pot or a desktop bin for all those little bits of rubbish that gather on your desk (it's perfect for sharpening pencils into too)

I also keep one in the kitchen to collect those tiny bits of foil etc as apparently they'll only detect and recycle aluminium if it's at least the size of a tennis ball! When I have a full can, I just pop the lid off onto a new can and drop the old can full of bits into the recycling!

• A can
• A 3D printer (or someone to print for you)
• Filament to print with and a small piece for the hinge
• (optional) a carrier bag
• Glue

The pieces you'll need to print are all available here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4795589

I won't be telling you how to print as it'll vary a lot depending on your printer and filament - it's a fairly simple print though some supports will be required as shown in the video.

Once you've got all your printed parts ready and you've removed any supports, you'll need to make sure you've cleaned out your can and removed the label.

I also chose to paint my prints at this point as I'd run out of black filament - this is obviously optional!

This is also optional but if you want to make the little 'bin liner' you'll need a carrier bag or just any bit of similar plastic that's long enough to wrap around the top of your can.

As I said before, this is optional but I think it looks pretty neat!

• Take a small piece of plastic (I just ripped the handle off a carrier bag)
  
• Wrap it around the top of your can then secure in place with glue or tape
  
• Tuck any excess into the top of the can
  

For this you'll need your 3 printed pieces and a small piece of filament
(I've used white just to make it easier to see what to do)

• Glue the hinge to the flat edge of the bin lid as shown in the first picture
  
• Once the glue is dry, line up the hinge piece with the corresponding hinge piece on the bin rim and pass your filament through both pieces as shown in the second picture
  
• Trim off any excess filament

All that's left to do it put it together!

The lid should just fit on nice and snug

Different printers have different tolerances so if you find the lid doesn't quite fit here are a couple of options to save you reprinting!

• If it's just a little too small you can try warming the rim piece gently with a hairdryer or in some hot water then put it on the can while still warm - it should just stretch out nicely and sit snugly once it's cooled down again but be careful doing this as you can deform the plastic quite easily if you heat it too much!
  
• If it's just a little too big and you're not planning on taking it apart again, it might be worth just using a dab of glue to hold it all in place

Nice job, you're all finished!

I hope you enjoyed making yourself a little bin as much as I enjoyed designing it!