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Al cap tool?

Hey everyone.

My grapes are arriving next weekend and being that the "paddle" section of my cap tool has been rendered unusable, I was thinking of punching a round piece of Al laying around for the paddle end. The Al would be then attached to the piece of oak I have for a handle.

I'm already breaking the rules and using red oak from the hardware store. I figure the short time each of these materials are in contact with the must, we are safe and not imparting noticeable tastes/scents.

What is everyone's thought on the Al tool end? On the red oak, what are the concerns about treatment of the lumber when it is kiln dried? I've been using the red oak handle for two crushings now and everyone's still standing.

Patrick

Reply to
patrick mcdonald
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"patrick mcdonald" wrote in message news:VBk3f.201$ snipped-for-privacy@fe04.lga...

I wouldn't worry about any of it - except for the gap between the plate and the end of the handle, and the fastener.

Why don't you just make the foot out of plywood instead of aluminum, screw and glue it to the handle, and varnish the entire thing?

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Tom S, That's better news than I thought. Yes, I never liked the gaps in the older tool. Varnishing would eliminate them.

Checking certain threads in the archives, it doesn't seem that it's imperative to use the "food grade" spar varnish I've heard mentioned before. Do you agree?

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mcdonald

Patrick,

The Al shouldn't be a problem, especially if you keep the tool dry, or at least non acidic, between uses. I just built one this season from a four ft. piece of 3/4" dowel and a heavy plastic disc. Lotsa holes in the disc and a deck screw to hold it on. The dowel received a coupla spray coats of clear acrylic to seal the wood, with a day or so to dry in the sun before using. No odor remained. Between uses I stand it in a bucket of meta soln. As long as there are no nasties growing in the pores or crevices, almost any unreactive material will be fine.

Reply to
Mike McGeough

I used Man-O-War on my press and have had no problems. Whatever you use, it's most important that you let it dry thoroughly before use.

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

I made a punch down tool using 4 inch pvc pipe. Just cut a 2 or 3 foot section and glue a flat pvc cap to the end. This works very nicely because it both pushes them down and it floats itself back to the surface so there's no real strength needed in raising it back up. It also doesn't let the cap get in on top of itself because it has no 'top' to the plate and it's really easy to wash. Bill

Reply to
grapesrus

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