New corker

[Garagista]

It is a great corker. I liked my old one (used) so well that I bought another used (slightly newer and less used).

Don’t spray kmeta or Star San down around the jaws. My first one rusted and I had to take it apart to paint the plate under the jaws. That was our rodeo with the jaws.

After you and your helpers - yes you will need four to six hands - have learned new swear words and sweat buckets, hopefully the jaws will suddenly slip in place.

I haven’t taken anything else apart on mine.

Thanks, I can see the previous owners did not heed your advice. I had to use a wire wheel and WD-40 to get all the rust off the bottom plate. A coat of rust eliminator and a coat of rustoleum finished the job.

BTW, the color of the blue Ferrari corker is “International Blue” if you want to match the color with a rattle can.

 

[VinesnBines]

I think I used some food grade red paint that I had on hand.

 

[Garagista]

On my newly refurbished corker, I noticed that the plunger (is that the scientific term?) is not hitting the center of the cork. After looking at it with a skonch eye, it looks like the plunger is cockeyed about 1/16” from center. It looks to me like it came from the factory that way. You can see how it is off from this photo.

The weld is gollywompus!

Do you think it is possible to bend it back straight with a cheater bar?

 

[back2it]

I use a highly specialised piece of equipment to ensure perfect alignment.

I hope that helps

 

[back2it]

Just wanted to say that you did a much better job than I did.

 

[winemaker81]

On my newly refurbished corker, I noticed that the plunger (is that the scientific term?) is not hitting the center of the cork. After looking at it with a skonch eye, it looks like the plunger is cockeyed about 1/16” from center. It looks to me like it came from the factory that way. You can see how it is off from this photo.

Do you think it is possible to bend it back straight with a cheater bar?

Mine is also off center. We punch the cork, turn the bottle 180 and do it again. This levels the cork nicely.

However, straightening the part makes more sense

 

[Ohio Bob]

I use a highly specialised piece of equipment to ensure perfect alignment.
View attachment 119014
I hope that helps

Also known as the Fine Adjustment Tool!

 

[back2it]

These are available on my website at $599.99 and because you posted on WinemakingTalk.com you get FREE shipping if you order within the next 25 seconds.

Also known as the Fine Adjustment Tool!

 

[Garagista]

Mine is also off center. We punch the cork, turn the bottle 180 and do it again. This levels the cork nicely.

However, straightening the part makes more sense

How interesting. There must have been a bad batch of Italian plunger welders.

 

[back2it]

How interesting. There must have been a bad batch of Italian plunger welder

I dont think it's a bad batch. it's maybe a manufacturing or shipping issue. To be quite honest, from a manufacturing point of view a few mm out either way isn't an issue.

 

[NorCal]

I picked up a very used Ferrari and had to do repairs on the wear areas. I’ve since bottle >12,000 bottles with no repairs or adjustments needed.