I buy way oil and cutting lubricant in five gallon buckets. Recently I just got tired of picking up the buckets and pouring it into a funnel into smaller containers for filling machine and I bought a couple bucket pumps. Wow. I wish I'd done that years ago. Its SO much easier, just as quick, and makes no mess.
I use Mobile Vactra #2 way oil which has a nice zip strip. You don't even have to cut the separator cuts like you do on a paint bucket. Then the lid snaps on and off easily.
HOWEVER. Master Chemical has gone to a solid rim bucket on their SC520. There is no zip strip. There are no notches you can cut. Its solid full thickness all the way around. I spent (and I don't think I am exaggerating)
15 minutes of concentrated effort with pliers and prybars to get the lid off so I could use my bucket pump. I swear I've changed car tires off of rims that took less effort and were done faster. After the lid was off I had to straighten the edges of the bucket. I'm glad I wasn't pulling the top off a completely full bucket or it would have made a huge mess.
So, there has got to be an easier way get that darn lid off. Please tell me. What the heck is it?