Featured Cap stuck on sterling cocktail shaker.

Grabbed photo below online, I don't have photos of mine yet. Found this exact cocktail shaker last summer, marked Hawkes Sterling.

Mine is pristine as far as no chips, no dents, however there is one problem. If you know how these work, the lid is a strainer and if I'm understanding it correctly, is actually is two pieces. The very top inch or so is a lid that (I assume) should pull or screw off. Well on mine, it is stuck. If someone told me it had been glued shut, I'd believe them. It's really on there and I even questioned whether it was supposed to come off, but thinking how else would this work? I don't want to turn too hard as it's sterling after all and don't want to dent anything.

I tried putting the lid upside in mug of hot water --nothing. Later I thought maybe I should immerse the whole top section in water, that will be today's experiment. No reason not too, right? I can always polish. Any other tricks? Rubbing alcohol okay with sterling? Thanks.

 

https://bid.conceptgallery.com/onli...-silver-and-cut-glass-cocktail-shaker-6845944

 

Yes, it is. You could also try WD-40 (silicone spray) or lighter fluid.

 

Based on the image of the separate top parts, these are the parts that should come off

 

If you have a blow dryer, you can set to low and get it nice and warm and then try AJ's suggestions. Just turn it off before spraying so you don't blow up

 

Thank you Marote and AJ. This confirms that the darn thing should separate and gives me some ideas! The photos are helpful because I can know what part should separate. Also I think DH has WD-40 around somewhere. Thanks!!!

 

Thanks, Sabre. Another good suggestion and will be sure to turn off so no blow ups! Cheers.

 

Be Sure...you certainly shall succeed!

 

alcohol best
at let is soak a while
forget wd

 

WD40, then put it in the freezer for a while, then WD40. (Or alcohol? I've never heard of that, sounds like it's worth a try. )
Heat will make metals expand (which would make it more difficult to take apart), cold causes contraction.

 

If I want to free a bolt from an exhaust manifold I heat it up with a blowtorch, heating metal components normally makes them easier to remove. By the way I am not suggesting using a blowtorch on a cocktail shaker, but you get the idea.

 

Folks might be wondering how I got it loose? (I know I have some polishing to do...)

 

Good work, Lucille

 

Kinda funny honestly.

10 minutes ago told DH about the stuck lid dilemma, what was suggested here. He says, "I need to see this before I can do or recommend anything."

Ran to get it, handed him the lid and he looks at it for a moment and after 30 seconds he just opens the top off like it was never stuck.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I told him, "I have ten people helping me with this stuck lid problem with me on Antiquers!"

 

He added, "Maybe when you soaked it yesterday it actually loosened it." Perhaps it loosened itself even more overnight? A tiny amount of water spilled out when he did open it.

 

Your soak dissolved the gunk that was holding it shut, and off came the cap.

 

Very likely. Sometimes it takes a while for the alcohol to dissolve the gunk.

 

Maybe it did.

In my household I just resign myself to watching my husband very easily open something I was red-faced and cussin' at.

 

When I ask my husband to open something he just opens it & then says well thanks for loosening it. The struggle is real.