Equipment Category
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Vintage Rytek Kutas stuffer
Steven Winscot said in Equipment Category:
Vintage Rytek Kutas stuffer
Was just getting ready to ask. Looks like a solid unit.
It also looks absolutely space age modern compared to my cast iron daily driver.

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Steven Winscot said in Equipment Category:
Vintage Rytek Kutas stuffer
Was just getting ready to ask. Looks like a solid unit.
It also looks absolutely space age modern compared to my cast iron daily driver.

processhead That’s an oldie. My first one was a cast iron, nickel plated ,swing top 5 pounder.
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Just FYI, we are seeing some competitors bring in stuffers that work on a central screw system like our single speed 7 lb. I can’t understand why more places are bringing in other sizes and selling them for a ridiculous premium. I have done side by side stuffing on the 2 gear system and the central screw and it isn’t even close, the 2 gear system (with the rack having slots) vs the piston being moved down by a screw isn’t even close.
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Just FYI, we are seeing some competitors bring in stuffers that work on a central screw system like our single speed 7 lb. I can’t understand why more places are bringing in other sizes and selling them for a ridiculous premium. I have done side by side stuffing on the 2 gear system and the central screw and it isn’t even close, the 2 gear system (with the rack having slots) vs the piston being moved down by a screw isn’t even close.
Jonathon said in Equipment Category:
Just FYI, we are seeing some competitors bring in stuffers that work on a central screw system like our single speed 7 lb. I can’t understand why more places are bringing in other sizes and selling them for a ridiculous premium. I have done side by side stuffing on the 2 gear system and the central screw and it isn’t even close, the 2 gear system (with the rack having slots) vs the piston being moved down by a screw isn’t even close.
Can you elaborate on what criteria you are using for your comparison? I have seen both types out there, but have not used any of the “newer” stuffers. Newer meaning, imported stainless stuffers manufactured in the last 20 years or so.
The two speed rack and pinion designs look attractive from a convenience stand point. I would be interested how they compare with the single speed screw-shaft units in terms of mechanical advantage/rear ratio and long term durability.
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processhead The central screw can only move as far as the thread will allow with a single twist, the 2 gears change the orientation of the final gear, allowing the rack to be moved down much faster. Once we get stuffers back in I am going to do another live demonstration (hopefully it is better than yesterdays!) where I will put 4 lb in both a dual speed stuffer and 4 lb in the 7 lb single speed and we can see what the time difference is.
Hope that made sense?
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processhead The central screw can only move as far as the thread will allow with a single twist, the 2 gears change the orientation of the final gear, allowing the rack to be moved down much faster. Once we get stuffers back in I am going to do another live demonstration (hopefully it is better than yesterdays!) where I will put 4 lb in both a dual speed stuffer and 4 lb in the 7 lb single speed and we can see what the time difference is.
Hope that made sense?
Jonathon said in Equipment Category:
processhead The central screw can only move as far as the thread will allow with a single twist, the 2 gears change the orientation of the final gear, allowing the rack to be moved down much faster. Once we get stuffers back in I am going to do another live demonstration (hopefully it is better than yesterdays!) where I will put 4 lb in both a dual speed stuffer and 4 lb in the 7 lb single speed and we can see what the time difference is.
Hope that made sense?
Yes, thanks. The explanation makes perfect sense. What I was also wondering though, is if the gear ratio on the low speed setting offered any added mechanical advantage compared to the single speed design when stuffing through a small diameter funnel.
Given the amount of interest in stuffing snack sticks, a stuffer that makes that job easier should have some customer appeal. I don’t hear much discussion about which model requires the least effort to operate, but maybe I just missed it.
Another consideration with ease of operation: All other things being equal, a stuffer will a smaller diameter cylinder will be easier to crank than one with a larger cylinder.
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then in theory a smaller canister and piston on a 11 lb. stuffer will make snack sticks easier to stuff
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then in theory a smaller canister and piston on a 11 lb. stuffer will make snack sticks easier to stuff
craigrice said in Equipment Category:
then in theory a smaller canister and piston on a 11 lb. stuffer will make snack sticks easier to stuff
Yes, but only if everything else is the same. And it would have to be smaller diameter canister, not just smaller overall volume.
For example, a shorter crank handle, or higher gear ratio in the gear drive could negate the advantages of a smaller diameter canister/piston.
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yes I was thinking of putting smaller parts on a bigger stuffer and not changing the gear ratio of the machine
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yes I was thinking of putting smaller parts on a bigger stuffer and not changing the gear ratio of the machine
craigrice said in Equipment Category:
yes I was thinking of putting smaller parts on a bigger stuffer and not changing the gear ratio of the machine
So if you could just replace a large cylinder and piston with a smaller diameter one, then yes, it should have more mechanical advantage and require less force to turn the crank.
My old antique cast iron stuffers are harder to modify like that. What I did was lengthen the crank handles which has the same effect of lessening the amount of effort needed to turn it.
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In a mechanical setup like a stuffer, smaller pistons require less input force than larger pistons. So just changing out the large piston for a smaller one, will make it easier. Changing the gearing or handle length only makes it easier to turn. It doesn’t reduce the force required to move the piston. Just makes that force easier to apply. So you could get in a situation that you apply more force than you frame can handle and break something. The key to using small stuffing tubes is smaller diameter piston stuffers. On a side note, a 3/8” tube is the smallest you can put on a #5 stuffing can without an adapter. The nut is smaller than the larger stuffers.
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That’s my 1940 model 410 Hobart. Elk roast pumped with Waltons garlic herb seasoning.
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craigrice said in Equipment Category:
yes I was thinking of putting smaller parts on a bigger stuffer and not changing the gear ratio of the machine
So if you could just replace a large cylinder and piston with a smaller diameter one, then yes, it should have more mechanical advantage and require less force to turn the crank.
My old antique cast iron stuffers are harder to modify like that. What I did was lengthen the crank handles which has the same effect of lessening the amount of effort needed to turn it.
processhead I tried that very same theory on my stuffer. Didn’t work out quite as planned. I had to replace all the gears the longer handle striped out. Lesson learned, I your mix is to stiff to stuff add a little bit more water.
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processhead I tried that very same theory on my stuffer. Didn’t work out quite as planned. I had to replace all the gears the longer handle striped out. Lesson learned, I your mix is to stiff to stuff add a little bit more water.
mdseaside said in Equipment Category:
processhead I tried that very same theory on my stuffer. Didn’t work out quite as planned. I had to replace all the gears the longer handle striped out. Lesson learned, I your mix is to stiff to stuff add a little bit more water.
Sorry to hear that. What brand of stuffer was it?
The two stuffer’s that I have extended the handles on were both antique cast iron stuffers and build like tanks.
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They don’t build them like they used to, that’s for sure.
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mdseaside said in Equipment Category:
processhead I tried that very same theory on my stuffer. Didn’t work out quite as planned. I had to replace all the gears the longer handle striped out. Lesson learned, I your mix is to stiff to stuff add a little bit more water.
Sorry to hear that. What brand of stuffer was it?
The two stuffer’s that I have extended the handles on were both antique cast iron stuffers and build like tanks.
processhead in the butcher shop I worked in when I was younger they had a cast iron stuffer the first one I ever used it looked like one in your pic.
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I’ve only used one brand of stuffer a F. D i c k from Germany. I have the 30 pound unit and have used it for many years. When looking at other stuffers, this brand seems to have a much narrower cylinder and piston. It is a VERY tall unit and very heavy. I have only used the fast gearing to raise the cylinder, and always used the slower gearing to stuff casing, including 16 to 18 mm sheep. Never had a problem. Threaded systems allow for only one speed and those old units were made for multiple functions, fruit press, meat stuffing, juicer. Never have I compared handle length, which is like a lever - “give me a lever and I can move the world” stated Archimedes so long ago that it even pre-dates me!
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I’ve only used one brand of stuffer a F. D i c k from Germany. I have the 30 pound unit and have used it for many years. When looking at other stuffers, this brand seems to have a much narrower cylinder and piston. It is a VERY tall unit and very heavy. I have only used the fast gearing to raise the cylinder, and always used the slower gearing to stuff casing, including 16 to 18 mm sheep. Never had a problem. Threaded systems allow for only one speed and those old units were made for multiple functions, fruit press, meat stuffing, juicer. Never have I compared handle length, which is like a lever - “give me a lever and I can move the world” stated Archimedes so long ago that it even pre-dates me!
Chef
Given the brand, I would expect your stuffer is top quality in every way.I saw a small F. Dick stuffer on F.B. Marketplace recently and was tempted to make an inquiry, but it was pretty far from me. I see today it is gone.
The seller was only asking $250. -
Chef
Given the brand, I would expect your stuffer is top quality in every way.I saw a small F. Dick stuffer on F.B. Marketplace recently and was tempted to make an inquiry, but it was pretty far from me. I see today it is gone.
The seller was only asking $250.processhead that was a good price. Was it the 12 pound unit?
That one does have a threaded shaft, but it is still a two speed gearing. They really are an heirloom. I have had to change the rubber 0-ring and the air valve vent. Rubber just hardened over time.
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