Candy machine augur troubles

[Bucket Head]

I recently bought an old candy machine that I thought was a decent deal, but I guess maybe it was'nt as good as I thought. At some point in time the worm must have suffered some abuse because it is bent and looks like someone tried to straighten it. As you can imagine, it wobbles pretty good, making it impossible to carry the sugar to the trough outlet. Also, upon further review, the augur I have is 2 1/2" in diameter- not the original augur. The augur diameter I should have is 3", since that is the diameter of the 'circle' device at the end of the trough that the augur rides/rotates in. So between the bend and the wrong size augur, it is all over the place in the trough when you turn it on!

I would like to replace the augur, but I've never seen a 3" augur. I'm sure a manufacturer could make one, but the price is going to be prohibitive I'm sure. Anyone out there have an extra 3" augur they would sell reasonably? I might be able to make a 2 1/2" worm work if I make something to keep it down in the trough.

I figured I would ask and see what anybody had. We don't make much candy, and we do a lot of that by hand anyway, so this machine is'nt that high of a priority, but it would be nice to have a useable piece of equipment.

Thank's,
Steve

[gmcooper]

Bucket Head our candy machine I believe has a 2 1/2" augur. It does wobble around some as it turns and did when it was brand new. I know way back when I questioned it after we bought it the guys at Small Brothers said if it gets worse just bend it back. As I understand it when we bought it they said there has to be some room for the augur to move if candy starts to harden in the trough before it passes all the way through other wise something will break. Not that we've ever had a batch do that! LOL
Mark

[Bucket Head]

Hi Mark,

Yeah, most of the ones I've seen have some wobble to them, but mine is really bad. You would have to see it, but trust me, its bad. I wish I had seen the thing run before I bought it! Oh well, I'll keep looking for an augur. If you know of one let me know! Thanks.

Steve

[gmcooper]

Bascom's sell an augur for Grimm machines for $190. Not a cheap option. I would try to straighten the one you have. I would guess the other brands have a replacement available.
Mark

[Bucket Head]

Yes, not a cheap option! Mine is out of whack pretty good. A previous owner must have got something stuck in it when it was running, possibly a pointed shovel? The shaft is bent, the worm is not uniform in diameter anymore, and some of the "spokes" that are welded to the worm must have broke and they were not welded back very well at all, or in the same place even! I'll keep looking, one will pop up somewhere. Its not a priority, so hopefully patience will pay off sometime.

Steve