Where can I find a hammer capper?

[mew]

I want a hammer capper because they are cheap and rugged, but I don't know where to get one. Where are they?

 

[Carne de Perro]

Hammer Capper? Do you mean something like this?

 

[boo boo]

most likely in a museum would be my guess. Or you can try E-bay.
Google is your friend.

 

[mew]

No, not like the picture. It's really small and it's basically the metal capping piece with a handle. You tap it with a hammer.

 

[Carne de Perro]

Ok, I found some for sale... in Britain. Barring that I also found directions on how to make something similar in my copy of The Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible (pg 80). If you find a copy you could try making one (my LHBS carries copys).

 

[mew]

Cool, Thanks.

 

[disaffected]

Anyone got a picture of one? Maybe I can google it. Just curious.

Never mind... found one. And you don't have to get it in the UK. You can get it from Herbs and Heirlooms in Terre Haute, Indiana.

 

[dantodd]

I might have mine floating around somewhere... It's a plastic handle that has a piece of metal about the diameter of a silver dollar and about 3" thick with a recess molded in just like the piece in your lever capper but cut from the solid metal piece.

This one looks a lot like mine.

They also make a version with a stamped crowner that has a tall handle and you strike the top of the handle.

 

[disaffected]

Seems like it would be easy to break the bottles.

 

[dantodd]

it is ..

 

[mew]

Where did you get yours, dantodd?

 

[dantodd]

I got mine from the LHBS in Sacramento CA. But it was in 1993 so I have no idea where to get them anymore.

 

[the_bird]

No pic, but:

http://www.cellar-homebrew.com/store/catalog/Hammer-Capper-p-221.html

 

[mew]

Why'd they stop making them?

BTW: If I just pitched some yeast and it's all laying on the bottom after 24 hrs is it dead?

 

[mew]

Thanks, The_Bird!

 

[disaffected]

Where did you get yours, dantodd?

As I just mentioned, here is a local source (Indiana)

Anyone got a picture of one? Maybe I can google it. Just curious.

Never mind... found one. And you don't have to get it in the UK. You can get it from Herbs and Heirlooms in Terre Haute, Indiana.

 

[mew]

Awesome!!!!

 

[dantodd]

You can get it from Herbs and Heirlooms in Terre Haute, Indiana.

that is the exact one that I have/had. Can't miss that ugly handle.

 

[the_bird]

That is one ugly piece of gear. Not as ugly as my wort chiller, but close.

 

[Radarbrew]

Why'd they stop making them?

2 words......tap, smash.....

 

[ajf]

Why'd they stop making them?

2 words......tap, smash.....

I used one for about 7 years. Never broke a bottle with it, but had plenty of bottles that didn't seal properly.

-a.

 

[the_bird]

Probably not a device you want to use after having a few too many homebrews...

"DAMN, my thumb!"
*CRASH* "Damn, my bottle!"