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  • Why does the head protrude so far....

    ...into the filter basket on my Silvia?

    And that gigantic hex head industrial mega bolt digs a hole through to china in my pucks.

    My Pullman tamper fits nicely in both single and double shot baskets, but even at full depth that bloody huge bolt still digs a hole in the puck before pulling a shot, and it also fractures it.
    Theres no way I could overdose the basket even slightly as theres just no room. Its almost like I need baskets 5mm or more deeper.

    Can anyone explain to me Why the head protrudes so deep into the basket?

    This is as deep as my tamper goes into both baskets..


  • #2
    Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

    If your handle locks too far over to the right, your gasket may have compressed which will bring the puck closer to the screen. Im not sure if this applies to the Silvia, but I do know that you can gain a tiny bit more clearance on an E61 by using a thicker group gasket or adding a paper spacer. Im sure some Silvia owners can confirm one way or the other.


    Evan.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

      Yeah it shouldnt really, certainly not ideal. SIlvia showerscreens do sit low but not so low its not workable, unless you then have a Sydney Harbour Bridge bolt in the way! : Bolts are sometimes used so theyre easier to get undone (screws sometimes are hard to remove if theyre overtightened and not removed often enough) but so long as the head covers the hole in the showerscreen and you just do it up firmly, a stainless screw should be fine, will cost you about $2.

      Greg

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

        My Silvia is only a few days old and has only made about 20 coffees. The handle gets locked at about 5.30
        But just inserting it before turning it to the locked position the bolt digs a hole in the puck.

        I recently saw a post here with a link directed to a counter sunk screw mod. Im not about the do this mod to a brand new machine, but I do believe it is how the Silvia should be built in the first place.

        edit: Found the post with the link...

        Originally posted by vicroamer link=1216798555/0#13 date=1217243569
        I get more consistent pours since replacing the hex head screw with a countersunk screw, a nice inexpensive little mod, but it will void the warranty.
        http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/esp...inemods/358287

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

          Originally posted by Greg Pullman link=1217330489/0#2 date=1217332540
          Yeah it shouldnt really, certainly not ideal. SIlvia showerscreens do sit low but not so low its not workable, unless you then have a Sydney Harbour Bridge bolt in the way! : Bolts are sometimes used so theyre easier to get undone (screws sometimes are hard to remove if theyre overtightened and not removed often enough) but so long as the head covers the hole in the showerscreen and you just do it up firmly, a stainless screw should be fine, will cost you about $2.

          Greg
          I reckon Ill try to match a nice low stainless pan head screw. Thanks for the suggestion

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

            Hi

            I had a Silvia for three years. The hex head is really no problem, in fact its quite useful as a guide to the right amount of headspace. Load up your PF and lock it in, then remove it. If the hex head leaves a small indentation in your puck then you know that the packing is about right and you have a mm or so gap. You can even reload and pull a shot. I have never had that small indentation cause channelling or damage to the puck. You can still overdose too. The hex head will just sink into the puck.

            Mike

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

              Originally posted by speleomike link=1217330489/0#5 date=1217333913
              Hi

              I had a Silvia for three years. The hex head is really no problem, in fact its quite useful as a guide to the right amount of headspace. Load up your PF and lock it in, then remove it. If the hex head leaves a small indentation in your puck then you know that the packing is about right and you have a mm or so gap. You can even reload and pull a shot. I have never had that small indentation cause channelling or damage to the puck. You can still overdose too. The hex head will just sink into the puck.

              Mike
              Ok so its pretty normal then. I was originally a bit concerned mine might have been a bodgy build.
              Im currently reading a thread about wet pucks, under and over dosing and finer or coarser grind. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1135281570
              Most of my pucks have sloppy muddy tops and kinda plop out like a soggy biscuit. Been trying to figure out how to tackle this problem..

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                Maybe a curved base tamper would help?
                (Thats OK Greg, no need for a cash commission. Ill take it in tampers!! )

                Evan.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                  Originally posted by Evan link=1217330489/0#7 date=1217335230
                  Maybe a curved base tamper would help?
                  (Thats OK Greg, no need for a cash commission. Ill take it in tampers!! )

                  Evan.
                  I just spent 90 bucks on the Pullman tamper I got on saturday.

                  Theres no way Im gunna buy another one!!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                    Oh well, there goes my commission.  
                    How bout some free advertising then? http://www.bighugelabs.com/flickr/on...049&size=large

                    Evan

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                      Hi

                      The flat or curved tamper will be fine for the silvia. The thread on wet pucks will be spot on your problem - probable underdosing. Just practice with some coffee so that when you dose and lock-in the screw makes a small impression. The screw is ~ 2mm deep so a small impression will mean you have a nice 1mm headspace.

                      Once you have dosing right adjust the grind till you get a pour that gives you about 25 mL in 25 seconds or there abouts. (+/- several seconds)

                      Mike

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                        Ok so its pretty normal then. I was originally a bit concerned mine might have been a bodgy build.
                        Im currently reading a thread about wet pucks, under and over dosing and finer or coarser grind. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1135281570
                        Most of my pucks have sloppy muddy tops and kinda plop out like a soggy biscuit. Been trying to figure out how to tackle this problem..

                        gronk
                        Give this a try
                        Your coffee grind should have a starting point of table salt and adjust + or - as required

                        KK




                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                          Originally posted by gronk62 link=1217330489/0#4 date=1217333307
                          I reckon Ill try to match a nice low stainless pan head screw. Thanks for the suggestion  
                          Id just check with the vendor from whom you bought the Silvia, explain the problem and the suggested fix before you go ahead. If its OK with the vendor, ask them to send you an email or fax to go ahead and clearly stated within, that it (the screw exchange) will NOT affect the warranty. If they have a problem with you swapping the screws (hardly a mod really), ask them to do it for you. :-?

                          I really cant see how it would affect the warranty though since you have to remove the shower-screen on a regular basis for cleaning and maintenance. Whats the difference if you screw in a neat little countersunk screw (thats what it used to be as Greg mentioned) as opposed to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Bolt. Seems downright silly to me......

                          It seems a sensible thing to do but you never know with manufacturers and their warranties. An authorised dealer should be able to sort it out for you though mate,

                          All the best,
                          Mal.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                            Ive been wanting to do something like this on my Silvia for a while, but I dont have a screwdriver to fit under the group head for removal. Ive been using a ratchet. Spose it will have to wait until I can be bothered to get hold of some small screwdrivers. :

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Why does the head protrude so far....

                              Gronk

                              The best thing you can do with a Silvia is get a 14g basket.
                              Compared the 12g that ships with the machine, the bottom of the 14g will sit lower, hence you will hold more coffee.

                              The resulting coffee is much better and it is much easier to get repeatable pours.

                              I prefer ridgeless baskets because they are easier to fill, easier to tamp [I believe] and the puck knocks out clean.
                              Sometimes you need change the PF spring to a more heavy duty one, but this will cost under $2.00.

                              Since you have a Pullman Tamper [with a serial number between the base and handle.....just unscrew it] you could consider ordering one of their ridgeless synesso baskets.
                              If you quote your serial number [they can reference the machined diameter to this] you may have a better chance of getting a basket closer matched to your tamper.

                              Comment

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