Survey of Opinions needed..

Sounds Like a Good Idea

Ric Taylor

>

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Tom Mullane

>Although I can't see the finished stopper, I like the idea of the stainless steel and not additional top material...

Will you be marketing this stopper design... please let us know

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..#2

Ruth Niles

>This is a picture of how nicely the new stopper design allows the turning to sit in the bottle.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Mike Schwing from Md.

>I'm not a wine drinker, but I would object to buying something made from a material not up to the task. However, most folks won't know the difference, and it'll take quite some time for the metal to show major signs of damage, so it probably won't affect sales or reputation. Stainless steels come in a lot of different qualities - a lot of it should never be called stainless. I've used stainless that rusted!

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Ruth Niles

>Tom,

I just posted a picture of a new one in a bottle. Sorry about not getting the pictures next to each other (I'm learning computerese!).

I'd love to market them IF there's enough interest. I had samples at the Southern States Symposium and did not receive 1 negative reaction, even from non-stopper turners.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Ruth Niles

>I agree, Mike, there are various qualities of stainless, however, I would rather add a few cents to production and be sure of an approved quality item. Also there is a "recommended" stainless that should be used for food items. This is exactly a "food item" but I'd go for that quality stainless.

It's not so much reputation for the turner as most buyers (non-turners) would be more impressed with "stainless steel" than "chrome plated". At least the ones I've dealt with so far feel that way.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Jens Bingel

>I have not turned any stoppers but I am thinking about it. I like your design and choice of stainless over chrome plated.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Ron in Drums PA

>I like the idea.

Some thoughts:

As Mike pointed out, some stainless steel rusts. A easy test would be to use a magnet. If the magnet is attracted to the stainless steel, it will rust. If memory serves me well, #410 stainless is the one that should be used.

Stainless steel does not polish high and will never look like chrome. Some people just like chrome.

I think marketing stainless steel over chrome can be an advantage. Call it an upgrade from chrome and I think people will like it better.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>Hi Ruth,

You already know my opinion. I like the new design. Have you found a manufacturer yet? I'll take 2 dozen. 8^]

Gary

I do have samples

Ruth Niles

>Gary, I do have a number of the chrome ones re-designed and am selling them at the same price as the chrome (Packard or PSI price) just to get turners to try them and offer testimony for desireability. Email me if you'd be interested or know any bottle-stopper turners who would. As you know, I have Craft Supplies on hold for production and they just need to know there's enough interest. Thanks so much.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

>Thinking as a buyer I would be more attracted to a product that was stainless over one that was chrome plated. Chrome plated sounds cheap.

Tommy

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Bud Gabaree

>Ruth,

I like the idea of the turning being the featured aspect of the stopper. Also, the chrome stoppers limit the height of the turning. What I do like about the chrome stopper system is the threaded insert. It's nice to unscrew from the chuck and screw right onto the stopper. How does your stopper attach? What sort of chuck would I use if there are no threads?

Bud

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Don Orr

>I am also curious like Bud as to how the wood attaches to the steel and how the wood is held for turning. I definitely like the stainless over chrome plate and it sounds like you have really done your homework to use the best type. I also like how the wood sits closer to the top of the bottle-doesn't look as awkward/unbalanced. More like the cork style but a classier, longer lasting material.

Good luck with this and hope to see you at Totally Turning again this year.

Don

Re: Long reply to an old friend

Arch

>Hi Ruth, I like the design of your sample stopper, it has your elegant touch.

Now back to Crotchety ole Coot mode. I am not a wine afficianado and I don't sell turnings so I'm not sure if opened bottles of wine are usually kept for long or not. I do notice that the stoppers that I give away are used for show and not for blow. Same with my small boxes and candle sticks. Surprisingly my wine bottle coasters are used.

Apparently metallic/plastic stoppers are much better sellers, altho cork would seem to go with a bottle of wine. Sort of like briar, clay and corncobs for pipes. For bottles other than wine, I've yet to see one of my my 'masterpieces' stopping a catchup, sauce or vinegar bottle in the fridge or on a kitchen shelf. A few do reside in living rooms.

My milage usually differs, but I would prefer polished chrome for show, and rust proof steel might be best at point of sale, whether or not it's ever used. It sure has taken over the world of table ware. Not important for your product, but I'm curious as to what you found re comparative costs of machining and polishing stainless steel vs plating a cheaper metal?

You know that I'm not raining on your parade. Go for it and all best wishes. Remember early on, I wasn't all that encouraging about your successful

shirts and caps. Unbelievely, I can be wrong! ;)

Best personal regards, Arch

Re: turning technique

Ruth Niles

>Bud and Don,

I should have included this in the original post but was trying not to make it too long.

I mount a 3" long blank in the chuck, round it, drill a 3/8" hole 1" deep, finish turning or shaping, part off, reverse on to jam chuck (similar to Raffan scoop process), clean little nub and sand. I glue the wood on to the chrome top with CA or TiteBond II.

Also, I do Not have any stainless yet. The picture is of a chrome one I re-shaped on a metal lathe, the tenon is as big as it is because of the threaded hole. IF I can have my design manufactured, the tenon would be 1/4" dia. and 1/2" high. The "samples" are more a proto type for design and feedback.

Thanks for all the good questions and positive responses.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Gary in Zirconia, NC

>I much prefrer your design, but I like the screw insert. It makes it easy to fit and replace the turning.

Re: Short reply ....... : )

Ruth Niles

>Arch, I can't drink wine, gives me headaches. I've sold a lot as gifts (shiney stopper in silver bag tied on bottle of wine = impressive wedding, anniversary gift). Several people I know do keep an open bottle and use my stoppers; red on the counter, white in the fridge. note: new design fits in fridge.

From a winery I learned a)cork is better for wine, each bottle must have its own cork (never use one cork in different bottles); b)no matter how good the cork with time and use it will deteriorate; c)stainless (or chrome) will not absorb the bouquet (wine talk for flavor!)which explains "a".

An importer got a price from a manufacturer, the good quality stainless would cost the same to make because there's less material above the rubber (less shaping), there's no threading nor double threaded stud (screw)to machine and there's no plating cost = same price to produce.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>Mike for red wind drinkers it does not take very long to get bubbling of the chrome plating. Less than a year of continued use. I complained a number of years ago because of the inferior quality. I have not used the chrome since.

Ruth knows of my interest.

Re: Survey of Opinions needed..

keith zimmerman, Normal, IL

>Ruth,

Fabulous idea to use stainless rather than chrome-plated. I do have a question though. From the pictures, I can't tell how the stopper is connected to the turning. Can you elaborate?

If you are still looking for testers, I would be happy to assist.

keithz

Count me in

Sue McLam, Orange, VT

>Ruth,

Count me in as an interested turner. I've avoided the chrome ones since reading the problems with them as posted by Barbara. I've been using the silicone stoppers but would love to give these a try.

Sue

Looks like an excellent idea

Dominic Greco in Richboro, PA

>Ruth,

Ever since I turned my first chrome bottle stopper last year, I was not pleased with the over all "tippy-ness" that the high profile gave to the bottle. I thought that maybe it's just me and my inability to adjust my turning technique to suit this model of bottle stopper. Hearing other people complain about the same thing sort of makes me feel a bit better! :>)

Anyway, I really like the design and prefer the stainless steel over the chrome. However, IMHO I would make the "stub" as long as the screw currently used in the chrome stoppers. It will give you a nice amount of gluing surface. My thinking is that some of these stoppers might get the "Obie Wan Kenobie" treatment. You know, "Use the Force". In other words, if it doesn't come right out, use more force!

See ya around,

Dominic

I'll take a dozen if they are for sale.

Ron in Drums PA

>Let me know if you are selling them and I'll send you payment and my address.

Re: Why are bottle stoppers pointed?

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>I always put the cork back into an opened bottle of wine and have never had a problem hitting the hole with the blunt cork. Why are stoppers pointed? If the point serves no real purpose, I suggest that your stoppers be manufactured with a 3/16" spherical radius on the end instead of the point as you show. This might reduce the length of the raw material by as much as 1/4" resulting in a savings of 10 to 15 percent. It wouldn't be much on your first order of 10, but on your second order of 100,000 it would be substantial.

Excellent thinking Al!

Dominic Greco in Richboro, PA

>Now that is LEAN thinking Al! As in "Lean Manufacturing".

Well how do you like that? I actually recognized the application of that concept. My boss would be proud.

See ya around,

Dominic