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Is all stainless food grade?

There is no "food grade" stainless steel. You can buy plastic spoons that are food grade or "food compliant". FDA kitchen grade refers to 304 18-8 grade. The FDA specifies a chemical composition for stainless steel used in restaurant kitchens and the medical industry. The steel cannot have less than 18% chromium, 8% nickel and not more than .03% sulfur; thus creating the "18-8" designation. * 17.8% chromium will not qualify it to be "304" grade stainless. Also a company that says it will give you a Ceritificate of Compliance but won't show you the chemical analysis of the steel they are using are most likely using an inferior grade stainless.

All reputable companies will show you the grade of steel they use.

Which stopper should I get for trophies, cabinet knobs, faucet handles, gear shifts, etc.?

If you are not sure of the screw size, take the item to any hardware store, they have boards with all screw size holes so you can see the size you need. The cabinet knobs are either 10-24 or 8-32. The average trophy is 1/4-20 and antique door knobs are either 3/8-18 or 3/8-20. A lot of door knobs work with the 60-00-01 (301). It is also easy to tap the door knob with a 3/8-16 tap.

What is the best size for a stopper blank?

The most common size for a stopper wood blank is 2" square by 2 1/2" tall. However, there is no "right" size. All the bottles in this picture are the same height and you can see how all the stoppers look great, from the tall and wide to the small, low button type design.

My Order

ORDERING:

All orders are shipped US Postal Priority.

Orders are shipped within 24 hrs. 

I like to talk with my customers so please don't hesitate to call with any quesitons. It eliminates possible mistakes and costing you time and money returning and getting replacements. 

Filling out credit card forms online is time consuming and no fun. Once I have all your information, re-ordering is quick and easy, just
send me an email saying, "Hi Ruth, send me 500 more of the same stoppers and use the same card." 

Discounts are offered to schools and clubs. Email me for a complete club discount list for all my products.

I do accept checks from US customers only. Make checks out to SS Niles Stoppers and mail to:
49 Leeds Rd.
Newville, PA
17241

Phone: 717-486-5232 EST

Email: ruthniles@gmail.com

Will the stoppers fit all bottles?

It is impossible to have one stopper that will fit 100% of bottles. With the original tapered style the small o-ring fits very few bottles maybe some olive oil bottles. The middle o-ring fits almost all wine bottles and some with screw tops. The top o-ring fits some screw top bottles. The SS-9000 stainless cork will fit the majority of bottles and will have a tighter seal because in most bottles, 2 o-rings will seal and the o-rings are a different derometer of nitrile thus making them squishier (new technical term!).

Which stopper style works best for golf or pool balls?

There are 4 or 5 styles that work, the stoppers with the 3/8" studs and the one with the 8/32" stud just drill that size hole in the ball and glue it to the stopper. For the stopper with the scoop top, SS-338 or SS-738, just epoxy the ball on the top of the stopper.

Should I glue the stopper into the wood and which glue is best?

This is a personal preference. If the stopper threads into the wood real tight, there is no need to glue. However, if the top is taken off and on often, over time the threads will get loose and it will need to be glued anyway. I use Tite Bond II which hold nicely once it dries. If you want to be able to remove the top for cleaning, I would suggest using the threaded inserts.

Can I lay the bottle on its side with these stoppers?

If the fit is tight, test it before leaving the bottle on its side over night. I usually do not suggest laying it down because there are some bottles that are not perfectly round inside and although the stopper is in tight, I just wouldn't trust it not to leak. If you need to lay it down to fit in the fridge, perhaps make a shorter stopper or one that fits down over the neck of the bottle. Example; stopper is 1/2" above top of bottle. The SS-9000 seals tight enough to be able to lay the bottle on its side when it seats tight.

I have trouble with the wood loosening on the mandrel while turning

First remember which woods got loose and use the smaller drill bit when using that wood. If it gets loose, remove the blank, fill the hole with water, let the wood swell then rethread it onto the mandrel and it will stay tight. You might want to glue that stopper since the threads were loose.

How should the stoppers be cleaned?

Wipe them off with a soapy dish cloth or just a wet paper towel. If you work with glass or something you are comfortable with going in the dishwasher, the stoppers and o-rings are perfectly safe, too. Do not remove the o-rings to clean; nothing can get under them. Also if you do remove them to wash the stopper and the groove is not 100% dry, when you put the o-rings back on, you have just created a micro bacteria incubator!