Joedaddy
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- Apr 26, 2010
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Last Spring I bought the small fruit press from Amazon when they went on sale for less than $100 for a couple weeks. I have used it 4 times so far and have been very happy with my purchase and the bargain I got it at. I have pressed cherries and blueberries last summer and just finished 600 pounds of grapes.
My issue is with the handle that attaches to the ratchet. When tightening to press it has a tendency to unscrew from the ratchet mechanism. While my attention was on filling the press and empting the juice bucket, I didn't always look at the handle unscrewing. Every once in a while, I would notice it and screw it in tight again. Operating it while it wasn't fully in must have made the inside threads wear prematurely. After its 4th use, the casting is so worn that the threads won't catch. It is still usable but a major pain to always have to hold the handle or it will fall out.
So, what do I do. I think the problem is that the ratchet mechanism is a cast iron casting with some kind of plating or anodizing on it. The handle is stainless steel and obviously a harder metal. I think this bound to wear out eventually, but I am a little upset it only lasted 4 uses.
I am thinking these are my options.
1. Send the ratchet back to Weston or Amazon (not sure who is responsible) and ask for a new one. The problem is that I will probably get the same design that will just wear out again in 4 uses.
2. Drill out the casting a little bigger and put some threads in for a bigger handle. Then I would have to make a bigger handle.
3. Cast a new piece for the mechanism out of bronze. I know a good foundry that will do this but it isn't going to be an easy casting and will take some work to get the holes drilled again.
Any other ideas and has anyone else had this problem? I know that many of you bought the same press this year....
My issue is with the handle that attaches to the ratchet. When tightening to press it has a tendency to unscrew from the ratchet mechanism. While my attention was on filling the press and empting the juice bucket, I didn't always look at the handle unscrewing. Every once in a while, I would notice it and screw it in tight again. Operating it while it wasn't fully in must have made the inside threads wear prematurely. After its 4th use, the casting is so worn that the threads won't catch. It is still usable but a major pain to always have to hold the handle or it will fall out.
So, what do I do. I think the problem is that the ratchet mechanism is a cast iron casting with some kind of plating or anodizing on it. The handle is stainless steel and obviously a harder metal. I think this bound to wear out eventually, but I am a little upset it only lasted 4 uses.
I am thinking these are my options.
1. Send the ratchet back to Weston or Amazon (not sure who is responsible) and ask for a new one. The problem is that I will probably get the same design that will just wear out again in 4 uses.
2. Drill out the casting a little bigger and put some threads in for a bigger handle. Then I would have to make a bigger handle.
3. Cast a new piece for the mechanism out of bronze. I know a good foundry that will do this but it isn't going to be an easy casting and will take some work to get the holes drilled again.
Any other ideas and has anyone else had this problem? I know that many of you bought the same press this year....