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...


Frank Mirigliano > wrote in message >...
> 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 have an older grape crusher, motor driven.
> >
> > I plan on rebuilding the support braces and hopper.
> > I will salvage the hopper wood, probably make new braces from a
> > hardwood.
> > Either Oak or Maple. What ever is cheaper.
> >
> > The "gears" that crush the grapes are cast iron. Although mostly rust
> > free I would like to paint them.
> > I plan on getting some Gondola Enamel (food-grade)
> > I am not sure if this will hold up from use.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > The hopper looks like it is varnished (it is flaking off)
> > I plan on stripping this, looks like oak, and maybe mineral oil finish
> > or nothing at all.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > I plan on re-wiring the motor (probably done in the 1960's or 70's)
> > Put a switch on it, ground circuit, maybe GFI?
> >
> > Any suggestions?