2 lever Bottle Capper problems

[SteveWTBD]

Is it something I am doing wrong?

Yesterday I was capping some bottles and the capper 'bit' the tops off two of the bottles.

I am using recycled bottles, so it might be that the glass was thinner than normal, but it gave me quite a shock - potentially quite dangerous as well.

The offending bottles, I think, were Lancaster Brewery bottles

http://www.lancasterbrewery.co.uk/Bottles

Is this an occupational hazard, or could it be my capper, or my technique, or the bottle?

It has made me a bit nervous about using the capper. Any ideas?

Cheers

Steve

 

[MyQul]

I havent had this happen to me but I've found those lever cappers unreliable. It's defiantely worth investing in a bench capper (about £30) if your going to use bottles for any length of time

 

[shepp]

Those bottles look fine.
I have never had a problem with mine. I cap the bottles really quick and never had a broken one.
Are you resting the cap on the bottle first and then put the capper to the bottle?

 

[ElvisIsBeer]

I've had a Sol bottle neck begin to splinter.

I've also had problems with Hobgoblin bottles. Capper sliding off.

Otherwise all ok.

Like the idea of a bench jobbie.

 

[BeerCat]

I have had similar problems. I think some bottles are slightly larger than others and they actually break the capper. I was also breaking bottles with my old one and having to take 4 or 5 attempts to get the cap on. Replaced it and it works fine. A bench capper would be better as others suggest just not got round to buying one yet.

 

[JFB]

A bench capper solves all problems, except storage..

 

[photek1000]

Ditto Bench Capper, started like most with a two lever, but it can be fussy on bottles and just a bit unreliable so it wasn't long until I upgraded.

 

[Sandimas]

As everyone else said, just get a bench capper - broke loads of bottles with a 2-handed capper, none with a bench capper.

20 quid from HBC, this is the one I use
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk...ed-suits-26mm-and-29mm-crown-caps-p-2187.html

 

[SteveWTBD]

Are you resting the cap on the bottle first and then put the capper to the bottle?

Yes

Is that wrong?

 

[shepp]

Yes

Is that wrong?

No I think that's the best way of doing it.