I am looking at making my own sausages. I was hoping to get some input on sausage stuffers. I have seen them from northern tool for around 35 and seen more on ebay for 90. I am thinking that for just starting out a manual stuffer would be fine , but I dont want to get one that will fall apart on the first use.Any input is appreciated. Thanks

Get the vertical stuffer. I think Northern Tool has a fairly cheap one. They're a lot more efficient than the horizontal ones. The knock on northern tool is that it has plastic gears. A few guys on this board have it, I think.

It does. As does this one from grizzly, which I have and like (well, nylon gears). I have not found them to be a problem.

I also have the 5# grizzly model. No complaints and a good price.

I have the Northern Tool 5 lb. version.

It works great for me... in fact am using it tonight.

Ron

Thanks for the input guys , I appreciate it . Where is a good place to get the sausage casings?

I prefer Butcher-Packer myself.

Butcher-Packer +1

Bass Pro has a 5 lb one for around $150 plus shipping. Built real solid, and works well.

I was told by the guys at the sausagemaker.com that they tried selling the 5 lb vert stuffer with metal gears and the work poorly. I guess the gears bind up and become hard to turn. They claim the nylon gears out preform metal.

My thought was to buy a cheap 5 lb and if and when it goes I'll be ready for a better unit.

Do not buy a simple press one and try not to use the grinder as a stuffer.

Here is an interesting one.

http://www.meatprocessingproducts.com/dks-240.html

or the 5 pound stuffer.
http://www.sausagesource.com/catalog/emp-dks202.html