Stone screw-stopper bottles

[morethanworts]

I am lucky enough to have 40 old screw-stopper bottles with the majority having stone stoppers. You turn them only about 3 revs to seal or open. The rubbers need replacing, for the second time while I've had them, but I do love them! They'll soon encounter their first use for many years.

They are still in two dairy crates given to me years ago (with the bottles) by a man called Bob. Are these pretty uncommon and unavailable nowadays and what's the proper name for them?

ADDED - For those searching for information at a later date I think these bottles have since been best described as the (old) amber glass imperial pint beer bottles, or words to that effect!

 

[calumscott]

Do us some photos!!! I love old stuff... :thumb:

 

[morethanworts]

Do us some photos!!! I love old stuff... :thumb:

Here you go! Hope these pictures display correctly. If not, I will repost/edit. Clearly, the bottles need a good clean and some new rubber seals!

If anyone knows a proper name for this type of bottle, or knows where to get replacement stoppers (and even more bottles!), I'd be grateful.

 

[calumscott]

Yup! Those are a worthy addition to anyone's brewery! Very nice indeed! :thumb:

Sorry I can't help really with the original question though...

 

[LeithR]

Hi there,
I posed the same question just the other day see my thread.

Rejuvinating Old and I mean OLD Beer Bottles

What I have found out so far is that S-30 valve washers (the big black ones) fit and work. They are a bit expensive tho.These usually come in sets to recondition the S-30 valve on the top of a King Keg.

Other thing I'm investigating is,
1. I've got some rubber hose from my local motor factors which probably fits I haven't been able to get a short length (about 5mm cut of the end) onto the cork with my fingers but I've got a pair of Helerman pliers somewhere in the shed. Once I find them I'll give that a go.
2. Also investigating scilicon hose for the same purpose.

Lets share resources to find some of these washers

Good luck in your efforts!! :thumb: :thumb:

 

[sam.k]

Could you put a ring of silicone around the top where the washer is and leave it to dry?

 

[morethanworts]

Thanks all!

I described them to my local supplier and he thought he can get the rubbers. He hasn't seen them yet though, so better check... I will let you know here.

Cheers

 

[LeithR]

@sam.k
Got to be worth a try - don't think it would last very long tho. It takes a bit of mechanical pressure once screwed in tight.

 

[Hawks]

I have a few of these as well and LOVE them... I did have a local supplier but they seem to have stopped doing both the bottles and the stoppers / washers..

I will chase him up though and see if he knows any others - will post if I find anything :thumb:


Paul

 

[Hawks]

found these in the meantime.. packs of 50

http://www.hopshopuk.com/products/view/ ... re-washers

 

[morethanworts]

Well done...hopefully still available then. I've fired off a couple of emails to other places as well.

 

[LeithR]

@hawks
I've bought a packet of 50 to see if they work. They are not the correct washers but the guy in the shop assures me that they work and that he uses them himself. I'll post more once they arrive.

 

[Hawks]

@hawks
I've bought a packet of 50 to see if they work. They are not the correct washers but the guy in the shop assures me that they work and that he uses them himself. I'll post more once they arrive.

Nice one, thanks... I will watch with interest :thumb:

 

[LeithR]

Here is a quick how to using a piece of hose from a motor factor, £3 for approx 3 foot of hose. The size of the hose needed is 20mm Outside Dia x 13mm inside dia x 3mm thick

It fits!!!

Here's the complete requirement

Now for the hard bit if you don't already have a pair - the helerman pliers. They basically open in 3 directions and with a drop of oil the tube can be slid onto the neck of the stopper.

The S-30 valve washer also works - beware of this option - I've been quoted prices between 36p and 85p each for them. These are samples freely sent by Local Brew Shops.

Also still waiting for the silicon tube to arrive so I can try that.

 

[wezil]

I have to say that they 'look' suspiciously like ordinary tap washers (did you try a plumbers merchant)? Love the pliers, where did you get them? (bit of a toolaholic i'm afraid) :grin:

 

[LeithR]

@ wezil
You sad person!! :grin:

I got them when I worked for BP in the early 80's offshore. We used them to put sleeves on electrical contacts covering the incoming cable and the neck of the contact device.

Haven't tried plumbers merchants yet but certainly worth a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

My cutting lengths of black rubber hose seems to work well but there is a draw back in that after fitting a couple of them I noticed a small black rubber deposit on my hands, this was probably caused in part by using oil to lubricate the pliers to slide the washers off the pliers and onto the neck of the stopper.

Now having second thoughts about their use - don't want to contaminate the beer. :pray: :pray:

 

[morethanworts]

I was looking at hoses/tubing like this. I think what we really want is 20mm, about 13mm internal, natural rubber, ideally food grade.
The black stuff looks reinforced and probably silicone rubber, requiring those pliers!

 

[wezil]

:rofl: I know! I get all unmentionable when looking at a snap on catalogue :lol:

 

[LeithR]

Hi all,
I've now received my packet of 50 washers from the hopshop as per Hawks's posting. They work perfectly and are easy to put on the bottle with no leaks etc... I've ordered another 150 to do the rest of my bottles. This is the way I'll be going.

Good luck to the rest of you in giving your old bottles a new lease of life.

found these in the meantime.. packs of 50

http://www.hopshopuk.com/products/view/ ... re-washers

Thanks to Hawks for finding the url. Cheers buddy!! : : :hat:

 

[morethanworts]

I've ordered 50 of these which I think will do the job. They are the same material as those above and the dimensions look perfect: 13mm internal diameter x 3mm profile. These have a circular profile - not sure if yours above do - but I think they'll work!