Rebuilding crusher, wood, paint and grease.

Hi Pete

The gondola paint should work well on the cast iron rollers. The varnish on the hopper that might flake off into the must is in all probability inert and will make it's way to the bottom and not into the wine. Stripping the varnish from the hopper is a good idea from an aesthetic view point. If it is oak you may want to think about coating it with the gondola paint or an FDA approved epoxy paint. If it is red oak rather than white oak it could impart some nasty (think cat urine) overtones to your wine. It probably won't but it is better to err on the side of caution.

Definitely rewire the motor for grounding and then make sure the circuit you plug it into is also grounded. It is easy to get shocked during the crush.

Frank

Pete wrote:

I took a look at the wood for the hopper last night. I am probably going to just replace it. It seems rather weak and starting to rot.

I assumed my basket press is oak, and that oak would be ok to use.

I could always make the hopper out of maple. It is the same price as oak.

I plan on mounting the crusher on my 50gal SS drum. I will have a GFI on the circuit.

It would be nice to rig a way to use the same motor on my grain mill...