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bottle stopper help

1439 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  MasterSplinter
I turned 2 today. First was so hard to take off ihad totrim the end to get off. The second i made smaller design. having a hard time gripping it to remove. Why am i having such a hard time? The stopper is 3/8 i used a 5/16 drill bit and taped it wirh a 3/8 tap. Could ibe using too small a drill bit.
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Pictures would help.

Are you using a bottoming tap where the cutting threads go all the way to the end?

Cutting the threads with a tap is easy. If the hole is not deep enough so that a normal tap did not cut threads to a length the same as the stopper, I can imagine it to be difficult to get the stopper mounted.

I normally do not have a problem getting the the stopper into the threaded hole.

You could try 11/32in dia drill bit.
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The tap has a flat bottom. I believe i drilled a deep enough hole. On my first one i made .not today. The hole was not as deepand i had no problem removing it.
try putting some wax on the mandrel threads. that should keep it from locking up. I don't use a threaded mandrel but here is my video on turning a bottle stopper. It was really a video done to show someone how to keep rubbing the bevel as you turn the top end of the stopper. My other video on turning a cove should help with the other design elements of a stopper.
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Two tips for ya. First back it off the mandrel after turning/ sanding but before applying finish. Easier to get off before finish is applied, usually. Next get a strap wrench for those really stuck ones, they're a life saver.
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I had this problem a few weeks back. Even posted about it.

If you need to remove it with a wrench, over the stopper in two or three layers of that rubbery draw liner you can get at Walmart or the dollar store. Non-marring and grips like crazy.
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The strap wrench I use has a rubber strap, so as long as you're careful it won't mar the stopper.
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I always had that problem until I started waxing the threads
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U can put a nylon washer on before the blank. This has helped me.
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Thank you guys. The stopper was a loss. Had to use channel locks on it. I tried a little wax and once I rounded it I would unscrew it a bit . Thank you saw dust factory. I will try to get a nylon washer as well
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