Question for Porkert meat grinder owners

[tasunkawitko]

I was reading the literature/owner's manual that came with mine (#10), and it made reference to a bushing that is fitted toward the back of the worm/auger. Mine doesn't seem to have this, and I've never seen a grinder with one; granted, all the grinders I've seen have been 30 or 40 years old, so these bsuhings that the manual refers to may have been lost or misplaced.

My question is, does your Porkert grinder have one? Is it absolutely necessary for operation? If not, does it seem to work just fine without one?

Can anyone point toward a source where a replacement or after-market bushing might be obtained? I did a cursory search (amazon, google, butcher-packer) and found none.

Thanks -

Ron

 

[BGKYSmoker]

The bushing in question slides over the rear of the auger. This is a centering bushing. Some of the grinders have the bushing built in, some dont.

 

[tasunkawitko]

thanks for the quick reply, nepas -

i'll double-check when i get home, but i think mine is gone completely. i am hoping i can use the grinder until i find/acquire a replacement bushing.

if anyone knows of any sources online (machine shops are few and far between up here. they closest one i can think of is 130 miles away), let me know.

thanks -

ron

 

[doctord1955]

Allied Kenco will have it!  Some are fiberglass and some are brass!

 

[tasunkawitko]

thanks, doc!

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Yeah, You'll definitely need the bushing.
The bushing in my Porkert #10 is poly.
Most manual grinder bushings have been poly for several years now.

Looks like this.....

51sT2OY0zfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

• diggingdogfarm
• Dec 5, 2012

~Martin

 

[tasunkawitko]

Hi, Martin - That's it, right there - thanks for posting the photo.

I will make getting one a top priority. I found about 3 possible suppliers, and have sent inquiries; given the nature of the part, I am surprised it is not more widely-available.

In your opinion, can the grinder be used as a stuffer without this part? I have a universal #2 that can actually grind meat, but I am hoping that the Porkert might still be able to stuff casings without this bushing until I can get one.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

I wouldn't use it without the bushing, you don't want to damage the shaft or the bore.
They should have noted the fact that it's missing in the auction.
What a bummer!!!!
Be careful when buying a replacement, bushing size can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, they're not always interchangeable like the plates and blades.
You may want to check with LEM, they used to sell Porkert grinders up until Porkert stopped making them.
Alternately, I've intended to replace mine with food-grade oil-lubricated bronze bushings from McMaster-Carr, but unfortunately, they would need machining because I don't think you'll find a perfect match.


~Martin

 

[tasunkawitko]

good news -

the bushing IS there; i was expecting to see it on the auger/worm but in actuality it is fitted into the main housing.

ready to grind!

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Whew!!!!!

That's a BIG relief!!!!!!

~Martin