| Project by Sawdust2 | posted 935 days ago | 733 views | 0 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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My neighbors are wine afficianodos (how ‘bout dat) so I decided to make some cork wine bottle stoppers. Then a few guys in the Wed nite group also decided to make some.
Taking a clue from Niki I made my own mandrel. Cost about $2.06.
That’s photo 1. A piece of 3/8 alllthread and three nuts. Right now the nub is 1/2 in ch but I think 3/4 is more likely where it will end up.
I drill a 5/16 hole and tap it with a 3/8 tap so is screws right on. It can go on without tapping the blank but it comes off easier if it is tapped;
I chose 3/8 because the hole in the cork is 3/8.
The stopper with the chrome base is a BereaHardwoods/Rockler stopper. That has a 1/4 in shaft so I used one of my friends mandrels to make that one.
Finish is micro mesh, HUT wax then carnauba wax.
Still playing with the designs.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
9 comments so far
scottb
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posted 935 days ago
great idea to make your own mandrel. Also what a great project to continuously play with new and free-form designs!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
WayneC
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posted 935 days ago
Nice Job. I agree they are pretty fun.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
David
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posted 935 days ago
Very nice job! I especially like sharing the design for the homemade mandrel.
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
oscorner
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posted 934 days ago
They look great. Thanks for explaining the process of using the mandrel.
-- Jesus is Lord!
Napaman
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posted 934 days ago
ahhh…another great gift idea for Napans!!! These COST A LOT in the wineries and gift shops!!
Yours look great!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Bill
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posted 934 days ago
Very good XO. Maybe you could get those into a gift shop or two. It seems like most areas have a wine producing region, and they can always use things like stoppers, glass holders, wine racks.
Maybe Matt has some connections to help?
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
Sawdust2
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posted 934 days ago
I’ve looked at many websites that show stoppers. And I’ve looked at the prices.
And I’ve also looked at the prices of the turning blocks they offer. Usually in the $2.50 to $5.00 range per 1.5” x 1.5” x 2.0” block.
I went to my local hardwood supplier this morning. I got a linear foot each of 8/4 goncalo alves, zebrawood, purpleheart and leopardwood. Widths varied.
Cost for each stopper block comes down to $0.91 for GC, $0.50 for zebrawood, $0.50 for purpleheart and $0.37 for leopardwood.
Plus I got a block of figured walnut for $4.75 that I figure I can get 8-10 blocks.
And I get to cut the 8/4 down to 6/4 and glue the offcuts into blocks for more pretty blocks.
Like Matt says these are usually pricey in the stores – usually $20-$35 ‘round here.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
Bill
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2561 posts in 1056 days
posted 934 days ago
Could be a good business to start, making stoppers and such on the side.
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
WayneC
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posted 933 days ago
I think Xavier’s examples hold true for other things as well. Take pen blanks for example. Much cheaper to buy the wood and cut them into blanks.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov