Bottle Stoppers?

[Isaac Litster]

I have never made a bottle stopper, but I have an affinity towards small decorative forms with a high gloss surface. My dad's birthday is coming up, and he wants to turn in some bottlestoppers to sell. So, I need to buy some kits. There are high-quality kits and kits that are 10 for $10 on Amazon, does it matter? I believe that some items, buffing wheels, for example, are not worth spending much money on, because they are simple, and cheap works just as well as expensive if that makes sense. Does it matter if I buy cheaper ones or more expensive ones? What do you recommend for our first bottlestoppers that we will eventually make and sell a few?

 

[Darryl Fective]

I'm not going to say the Amazon ones are junk, but either the Ruth Niles or the Stainless Bottle Stoppers would be a better choice. The Amazon ones are pointed and won't stand up and their seals are fins, not O-rings.

 

[John Ames]

Find Ruth Niles... You won't be disappointed in any way. They are the best - by far

 

[Earl McLain]

Another vote of confidence for Ruth Niles Stoppers. Stainless or Brass, no fear of interaction with alcohol, oil, vinegar, etc. Same with the rubber rings. The bottle openers are pretty unique as well--if nothing else they generate conversation with potential customers.

 

[Jim Reynolds]

If you want a cork alternative then Nick Cook is an excellent teacher of this technique. I believe he said that he has made thousands of these cork stoppers.

 

[William Rogers]

Ruth Niles. You want stainless steel. The plated ones (usually chrome) will turn dark and chip off. I prefer the 4 o-ring stoppers. And of course you will need a mandrel. I always tapped and glued mine, but you can use inserts.

 

[Dean Center]

I have made quite a few bottle stoppers and found that the cheaper ones have a plating that breaks down and starts to peel, in time. Not sure if the wine accelerates the process or not, but I was pretty upset to see some of the stoppers I made looking shoddy after only 18 months.

 

[Craig Hertzog]

I've started using all Niles Stoppers. Something to pay attention to also, on many, especially the cheap kits, they're not stainless, which could cause issues down the road

 

[Curt Fuller]

Ruth Niles sold her bottle stopper business to Carl Jacobson but they're still the same top quality stainless steel stoppers Ruth designed. There are also some available in brass. Bottle stoppers are a big seller in some areas but where I live I can sell more bottle openers. And the Pop top openers sell very well too.

 

[Bill Blasic]

Ruth Niles started the stainless steel bottle stopper business and the place she had them made started selling them as their own, lawsuit ensued with no happy ending if my memory serves me. Ruth had another place make them (I happened to visit that place and was very impressed with the business and the guy who ran it). For that reason and that alone is why I have always bought Ruth's products (now sold by Jacobson). The reason I don't use chrome is that wine actually will eat away at the chrome. While they may not be the best sellers around here is the fact that I don't know anyone who opens a bottle of wine that does not finish it😁

 

[Earl McLain]

Yeah--we're not wine drinkers, and when i decant a good root beer i empty the bottle. But, we cook and keep use Ruth Niles stoppers for wine, oil and vinegar bottles. I think one of my vinegar stoppers is nearing 10 years with no degradation.

 

[William Rogers]

I don't know anyone who opens a bottle of wine that does not finish it😁

That is why I started making the Ruth Niles whiskey stoppers. Less people finish the bottle after opening it.

 

[Gregg Zank]

Agreed with Ruth Niles great quality and selection.

 

[Isaac Litster]

I have made quite a few bottle stoppers and found that the cheaper ones have a plating that breaks down and starts to peel, in time. Not sure if the wine accelerates the process or not, but I was pretty upset to see some of the stoppers I made looking shoddy after only 18 months.

Are there any decent ones on Amazon? I reckon that a couple of cheap Amazon ones to get a feel for it, and a couple of high-quality ones from Niles.

 

[Isaac Litster]

If you want a cork alternative then Nick Cook is an excellent teacher of this technique. I believe he said that he has made thousands of these cork stoppers.

Do you think people would be less attracted to them without the shine of the steel?

 

[Art Chamberlin]

Cheap stoppers can be had on Amazon. They run about $1 a piece if you buy in bulk. You can sell them cheap and make a nice profit. If you buy the better quality ones, your price can go up accordingly, and you can take more pride in your work. If I were making for a gift, I would definitely spend a little more. I also find that if I display them side by side, I have to explain the difference. Most will spend the extra cash.

 

[John King]

Another vote for Ruth Niles (Carl Jacobson). Superior quality and service.. - John

 

[Jim Reynolds]

Do you think people would be less attracted to them without the shine of the steel?

Different horses for different courses. I have no insight about your potential customer base. I’m guessing you could profitably sell a cork bottle stopper for USD 5 - 7. My guess is that the a stainless steel bottle stopper would be priced between USD 15 - 20. Is shiny worth USD 8 - 15 to some customers? Probably. To all customers? My intuition is no. I fear the only way to determine the product, price and customer interaction is to perform the experiment. Best of luck and I hope you share the knowledge you gain.

 

[Kevin Jesequel]

Another vote for Niles Stoppers. I haven’t met Ruth, but Carl and Robyn are great. An added bonus for me is that they live about 15 minutes away. I like the stoppers with a flat bottom. They act as a little display stand when not in a bottle. I use exotic and highly figured cutoffs and sell them for $25-$30 whenever I do a show. I’ve covered the cost of several shows in stoppers alone.

 

[Dean Center]

Are there any decent ones on Amazon? I reckon that a couple of cheap Amazon ones to get a feel for it, and a couple of high-quality ones from Niles.

I have learned to value making prototypes, but you can make 50 stoppers and throw them all out without using up a single metal piece. Save the bucks you'd waste on cheap ones and buy good quality.

 

[Isaac Litster]

Another vote for Niles Stoppers. I haven’t met Ruth, but Carl and Robyn are great. An added bonus for me is that they live about 15 minutes away. I like the stoppers with a flat bottom. They act as a little display stand when not in a bottle. I use exotic and highly figured cutoffs and sell them for $25-$30 whenever I do a show. I’ve covered the cost of several shows in stoppers alone.

Thank You, we get a good deal of tourists in Alaska from cruise ships, and they seem to like the species that are unique to Alaska, or they haven't seen before, which is a double-edged sword because they are cheap, but they are soft. Maybe spalted beach wood or burls... a CA finish may help. That is good to know.

 

[Isaac Litster]

I have learned to value making prototypes, but you can make 50 stoppers and throw them all out without using up a single metal piece. Save the bucks you'd waste on cheap ones and buy good quality.

That makes sense, I think that is what I will do now!

 

[Bill Blasic]

Issac you can also make cork bottle stoppers which for me are more functional and a lot cheaper to make and sell.