Originally posted by Darkfalz
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I have put a little more detail in this post as other CS'rs may find it useful. Assuming lathe guy is "him" for brevity, no gender bias implied.
If you take the metal off the top of the lug, there is more p/f holder height above the lug which will press the basket earlier & harder against the group. So it increases the pressure between basket & group and helps to stop any leaks. Even 0.5mm can make a huge difference so, as posted, do not be cavalier about it. Too far and the lugs will not even fit in the group. That is also using the unsafe assumption that all other things like p/f & basket diameter are correct etc. etc. (checking the sky for pigs). Take the whole machine, grinder & some decent coffee in with you as you will need it to cross check the work (and sometimes the progress) as well as having a potential bribe to smooth the process.
IF you suspect the lugs are actually uneven and it is NOT the naked one:-
1) Loosen the handle: The easy tool free method: lock the p/f via the spout(s) in a wooden slatted bench aka "bus stop seat" (esp. useful if you do not have a really gentle vise around) and loosen the handle by unscrewing / twisting it (usually anticlockwise, however check your manual if possible) and pressing down on the p/f (i.e. keeping it located) at the same time. Often the handles are attached with a lot of loctite and it can "set" and be hard to remove after a few months of the coffee cycle. As soon as it loosens off, stop.
2) Take the spout off: Put it back in the slats. Using the slightly loosened handle as a lever, turn the whole p/f anticlockwise (usually: check manual if in doubt). Even the most stubborn spout will usually come off with relative ease.
3) Take the previously loosened handle off completely.
4) Use the hole of the p/f spout as a guide for the lathe: The screw threads are fairly standard so most lathe guys will be able to match the thread and use that to make the p/f exactly central (a very good thing). Some lathe guys will also use the outside of the p/f as an additional guide. Warn them that p/f's are fairly thin so that may make it into a fairly useless oval rather than a circle if they put too much pressure there (which is why you convert it to naked after doing the lugs if you have a choice). If it is a naked, get him to mount it from both the inside and outside if possible (it is possible, however he may hate you for suggesting it. Be uber tactful on that one...).
5) Even up the top of the lugs up on the lathe. If needed, take off any positively known extra "lug metal" after that. If in any doubt at all, stop the lathe, fire up your machine and check for fit. Preferably by making the lathe guy a coffee so he can see how the machine works under pressure (also good PR, especially if it sprays water everywhere so he can see it needs more work). It is way more difficult to add metal back on, so err on the side of removing less and sticking it in the lathe twice. When you think this stage is correct, move on.
6) Do a much finer grind than your usual. Fire your machine up and make a deliberately overdosed "choker" to check for sprays and adjust final lug height if necessary.
7) If all is good, thank / pay / finalise and perhaps make him another (better) coffee so he can see what his work did. If you ever need another one done, he will probably accommodate you.
I hope this helps. If you need more info, please PM me.
Cheers
TampIt
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