Caring for Your New Corker

RJ Spagnols mini floor corker is a precision designed, well constructed corking machines, and with proper care and maintenance will last for many thousands of bottles. Things to remember when using your corker are:

* Clean and dry your floor corker at the end of every bottling day. Water can pool up inside the mechanism, resulting in corrosion--especially if the water has sulfites in it.
* Don’t soak your corks. Corks that have soaked up too much liquid will release it inside the mechanism when squeezed by the jaws and fluid pooling on the inside of the machine will corrode it.
* If the corks are going too far into the bottles, or wind up sticking out above the neck, adjust the cork depth with the knurled ring threaded onto the corking finger. Corks should be just below flush with the lip of the bottle.
* Lubricate the jaws (brass in the case of the deluxe, plastic in the case of the burgundy) with Petrol-Gel sanitary lubricant. Do not use vegetable oil as it will attract too much dirt and gum up the jaws. Do not use WD 40 as the solvents and propellants in the material will slowly dissolve the plastic jaws and WD 40 is not safe for human consumption should it come in contact with the corks. Petrol-Gel is available from RJ Spagnol’s in 4 oz. Tubes—a lifetime supply.
* Occasionally lubricate other moving parts (i.e.; those that do not come into contact with the cork) with WD 40 to prevent sticking.
* If the shaft that holds up the bottle support sticks or won’t spring back up try tightening the two small nuts on the bottom of the spring tensioning arm.
* If your corker malfunctions or sticks, be extremely cautious about taking it apart. The jaw mechanisms are held in place by powerful springs and can leap out when the cover is removed and/or deliver a nasty pinch to unwary fingers. Before you attempt to service your corker, call RJ Spagnol’s for advice.