[JaK]

Has anyone got a meat mincer? Are they worth while? I am really tempted to buy this one-
http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/448
I like the sound of this as it can make sausages and pasta too.
If you have one that you feel is better at a similar or cheaper price please let me know.

[arugula]

I've got one of those old-fashioned metal ones that doesn't work very well, it may need something sharpening. My Mum had an identical one (in green) and I remember that being used a lot and to good effect. I think they are worthwhile because you can see the meat before it is turned into mince by which stage you can't tell what went in it and you can also make mince from less mainstream meats. Sausages too, sounds great!

[8doubles]

Handraulic mincers  are a pain in the butt, the suction base ones do not stay in place for a dozen winds and the screw clamp type are not much better.
You can get quite a lot of torque winding the handle , more than cheap plastic/ nylon handles and bodies will cope with for long.
Save your pennies and get a decent electric one .

[GrannieAnnie]

I was lucky enough to buy myself a kenwood chef 3 years ago, and bought the mincer and sausage attachment to go with it which I love!

But I've never used a plastic one.  It says its robust, but will it stand up to meat for long?  especially if you get any sinewy bits or gristle that you haen't noticed.

I do have the Seeds of Italy passata machine and once I've suctioned it to the worktop, it does stay there okay, so the suction on this one may be okay?

Sorry can't help any more, but I gave a young lad who bought some of our chickens the other week 4 of our pork and leek sausages to try, and he came back yesterday and said Mum said do you sell these as they are the best sausages she's ever eaten!!!   

So you should have a go!! 

[Trillium]

I've only got experience with the metal ones as well that clamp to the work surface. And sometimes you do need a fair bit of torque to get the meat through so the metal ones would do the job. I have no experience with the plastic or whatever that one is made of.

After using, we always poured a kettle of boiling water through the grinder area to sterilize, and soaked all metal parts in boiling water.

[Ice]

I've used a manual sausage maker and it's a two person job to crank the handle, feed the hopper and tension the sausage skins.  I seriously doubt that suction alone would hold it steady.  In the end we got a heavy duty electric meat grinder/sausage maker.

It would be a false economy in my opinion and you would be better off purchasing something more robust.

[JaK]

Thanks for the input. I think I will have to put that idea on the back burner for now then. I really don't have the pennies to spend out on the electric type. The manual one was pushing it a bit. 

[JaK]

Oh but I really want one! 
Does this look similar to you? It's a lot cheaper so less of a loss if it's not great. 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170604810095&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Ice]

If you only want a meat mincer I have one that you clamp to a worktop going spare.

[JaK]

That is really, really kind of you Ice but I really couldn't. Thank you so much for the offer. 
I will save some pennies and treat myself to one at a later date. Thanks again. 

[Kleftiwallah]

And here's me thinking you were having trouble with your eyes!