Broken wing capper (how to proceed)

[Pyg]

Today I was bottling my cider. I was using various bottles coronas Sierra Nevada , Sam Adams and some Stellas. I felt the wing Or catch it when I hold on it a plastic piece snapped off on the side.
I am planning on bottling my first batch of beer next week and I'm not sure how I should proceed.
Seeing as how this is my first batch of beer and I'm unsure if I'm gonna continue on with brewing I do not currently have any intention of buying a table mounted.
However I do not want to find myself bottling next weekend and having the Or break halfway through bottling.
I am tend to toss out the Stella bottle says they seem to have an issue when used with the wing capper.
Should I go up by a second when Her just in case? Is there some type of preventative measures I can take so I don't wind up with no Her and only half my Batch bottled?

 

[Pyg]

Here are the pics
Broken:
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1421534734.787511.jpg

How it suppose to look
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1421534765.082610.jpg

 

[h22lude]

The other side should have a similar piece. That piece basically locks the two handles together. I'm not sure if you can use it without that piece or not. Best option is to try bottling a bottle now. If it works, you are fine. If not, buy another wing capper. No need for a table mounted one. Most people use wing cappers.

And what the hell are you saying here lol "Should I go up by a second when Her just in case? Is there some type of preventative measures I can take so I don't wind up with no Her and only half my Batch bottled?"

 

[doug293cz]

Try capping a couple of empty bottles with the "broken" capper. The missing piece may not be critical to proper operation. If you don't want to get a new one now, you might be able to get thru a batch without too many problems. If you plan to continue brewing, I would get a new capper.

Brew on

 

[Pyg]

And what the hell are you saying here lol "Should I go up by a second when Her just in case? Is there some type of preventative measures I can take so I don't wind up with no Her and only half my Batch bottled?"

I was trying to ask if I should be prepared and have a second Her just in case the first one breaks while bottling!
However the above is a perfect example of what happens when you use text to talk and your eight-year-old is standing behind you talking to you at the same time

 

[Gavin C]

Looks like it might still work. Have you tried it? Does this piece of plastic stop you from closing the capper too much? Don't use mine much anymore.

 

[northcal]

I have a vintage bottle capper that you strike with a hammer I'll send to you...

 

[Devilsnight]

I have a backup just in case. Be aware that some bottles are not compatible with the wing capper. I can tell just by looking at them but, you kind of have to figure out for yourself. You end up with a broken capper or a shattered bottle. I'm going 3 years on my original.

 

[BowAholic]

mine broke in the same place the first time I used it...used it on 2 batches after that and still have it for a back up... just in case the pressure was uneven, I applied the cap and then rotated the bottle 90* and pulled the handles down again...just to be sure it was sealed.

 

[GonZolaB]

Just ordered a back up one today, Midwest had them on clearance for $5.05.
$4.99 flat shipping right now too

 

[KartRacer54]

In my opinion these cappers are junk. I gave up and built pnuematic

 

[IslandLizard]

Crappy manufacturing all abound.

I like the metal wing cappers way better. Or get a bench capper.

Grind the leftover piece flush with the base and glue a piece of plastic or metal (aluminium) of the right size on there. It is a stop, just to prevent the legs from closing too far. It may work fine as is until the other side pops off.