Coupla Bottle Stoppas

[wizer]

... me old mucka.

These are for my Dad's birthday tomorrow. The intention was to have them kind of be the opposite of each other. Mildly based on yin/yang. As you can see, it didn't really turn out like that.

Looking at them now, the one on the right might have been better if it was slimmer. I was rushing because of the deadline. As a consequence, both stoppers ended up having a dodgy transition to the chrome. This was a mixture of bad technique and laziness.

The wood on the right is Pau Rosa and I'm not sure what the other one is. The shavings were red so I'm guessing Bloodwood, but Goncalo Alves comes to mind also. Any ideas? I finished with shellac sanding sealer and Ren Wax.

 

[Santos]

Nice one wizer, I really like the red tones here. I think the designs are really original, something which any father would appreciate!

 

[wizer]

thanks Santos

 

[cornucopia]

the one on the right's very nice tom- i'd have to see it ontop of a bottle to say wether its too big or not but the shape looks perfect

 

[greggy]

tom, does the rubber rings on the stoppers show when on the bottle ?
if so i think that they shouldnt. if you look at the ones i did you will find that they go all the way in the bottle.

oh and pm sent tom.

 

[loz]

I think they are cool Tom ! - Your dad will be well chuffed !

 

[Bodrighy]

1st one reminds me of a hot air balloon and the 2nd of a water droplet. Both look good to me. Again not something I have tried. Those ones that you use Greggy, are they the american ones? Bloomin' expensive if so.

Pete

 

[wizer]

Thanks guys.

Greggy, I'd prefer those ones but I picked these ones up from Axminster, it was the last two hey had in stock.

Pete, I thought Hot Air Balloon and Water Droplet too actually

I've not tried them in a wine bottle yet tbh, but I did just make a stand for them:

Loosely based on a wine barrel. Anothe rush job so it's a little uneven. Must be more prepared.

 

[Bodrighy]

I like that idea. Rather novel what :lol:

Pete

 

[loz]

Brilliant Tom !

Now make a stand for the barrel like this,

 

[user 5053]

Nice but why don't people use cork for bottle stoppers these days? They are far cheaper, more environmental and in doing so you are helping to preserve the unique oak cork forests of Portugal.

 

[Oakbear]

That Pau Rosa one is very pleasing indeed! Nice stuff!

 

[loz]

Nice but why don't people use cork for bottle stoppers these days? They are far cheaper, more environmental and in doing so you are helping to preserve the unique oak cork forests of Portugal.

hi,

I dont think cork is as reusable as the metal ones, what about of the cork gets weted by the wine ? - cannot be washed - or cleaned off.

While on the subject though My daughter and I watched a "how its made" on the cork harvesters last week and was very interesting on how traditional corks are made, worth looking at if on the tube.

edit - here a video - http://www.wineanorak.com/blog/2008/06/how-cork-is-made-sort-film.html

 

[wizer]

Apart from the issue of red wine staining the cork, they just look rubbish IMHO. I think the stainless looks better than chrome, but needs must and all that. There was a debate about keeping the cork industry alive over on the general woodworking forum. Personally I don't see any great shame in loosing cork as a material. It's had it's time and now not needed.

 

[Oakbear]

Personally I don't see any great shame in loosing cork as a material. It's had it's time and now not needed.

I guess i should join the debate on the main forum, but gah!!!

How many products do we have this sustainable, with so little environmental impact, and provide such a rich habitat for wildlife?!
Sure plastics and rubbers can do the same jobs, but still!

From a design point of view i agree with the chrome here though. Stained cork quickly looks a bit manky after a few uses imho.

 

[Bodrighy]

It is possible to make these stoppers with cork and have the cork unglued so that it can be replaced if & when necessary. I am not a fan of stainless steel and chrome stuff. As far as I am concerned it went out in the 50's with big bumpers on cars etc. Much prefer natural products. Having said that there is room for both, each to his own. Be interesting if someone had both on his stall, which would sell, certainly cork would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly but would that outweigh the clean, surgical look of the steel?

Pete

 

[jpt]

I do the stainless, silicone and cork ones, the stainless out sell the others by 5 to 1 even though I sell them for about three times the price.

You can buy the cork stoppers from various places but I find the cheapest way is to buy them from a wine makers supply shop and drill the hole myself.

If you make the spigot the cork fits on slightly larger than the hole in the cork you dont have to glue them on and they can be replaced if needed.

john

 

[DaveL]

Tom,

Here is the one I turned:

I like your choice wood better than mine, but I am not sure about the step on to the metal?

 

[wizer]

yeh I thought I'd try something different. It might make them a little weak in that area, I don't know. We'll see.

I like your design. I'm doing more for xmas, so will play.