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  • Spring loaded tamper

    Hello all, Im making a spring loaded tamper for my Lucy. The idea is to press up until it just starts to move thus giving me a consistent tamp force. I can change the spring to give me the required force. Can anyone see a problem with this idea or have any opinions?

    Thanks, Andrew.


  • #2
    Re: Spring loaded tamper

    Accuracy with up pressure isnt as good so getting a level tamp would be harder, it would also take more effort to get 15kg of force up than down. Great idea though, an adjustable tamper would be a handy thing.

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    • #3
      Re: Spring loaded tamper

      Here is my prototype spring loaded tamper for testing that I made this afternoon at work. It gives me 7kg/15lb of force. I can easily change the spring to increase or decrease the load. Ill start with this amount and see how I go tonight when I try a few shots.

      Andrew.

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      • #4
        Re: Spring loaded tamper

        i can now see what u mean, is it awqued to use? maby with a mechanical lever it would get the evenness more consistent?

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        • #5
          Re: Spring loaded tamper

          I just pulled a shot with my double basket. With the current spring in the tamper it returned 60ml in 28sec. Seems about right and tastes OK. Any Opinions?

          Here it is attached to Ms Lucy.



          Andrew.

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          • #6
            Re: Spring loaded tamper

            Do you use your hand to cup under the PF and push
            or use wrist strength while holding the PF handle
            KK

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            • #7
              Re: Spring loaded tamper

              7kg isnt enough for a good tamp according to current figures. should be 15kg/30lb, so you might need a sturdier spring. Might also pay to ensure it stays level by adding a couple of guiding rods or something on top? tis a good idea though *looks at pullman tamper and wonders where to fit a spring... :-?

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Spring loaded tamper

                Originally posted by 4B405A48171E2F0 link=1235974123/6#6 date=1236096789
                7kg isnt enough for a good tamp according to current figures. should be 15kg/30lb
                ive read this as a recommended pressure to apply as well, but Ive also seen almost as much discussion that suggests the actual pressure you apply is fairly irrelevant, just so long as you apply a consistent amount of force from shot to shot.

                Personally, Ive found my Espro to be great in teaching me this consistency, this seems like the same kind of thing. Just so long as I tamp consistently I have found it leaves me with (only!!) grind and dose to play with as the main variables in controlling shot times and flavours.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Spring loaded tamper

                  Originally posted by 767F647D767B731E0 link=1235974123/7#7 date=1236106997
                  Originally posted by 4B405A48171E2F0 link=1235974123/6#6 date=1236096789
                  7kg isnt enough for a good tamp according to current figures. should be 15kg/30lb
                  ive read this as a recommended pressure to apply as well, but Ive also seen almost as much discussion that suggests the actual pressure you apply is fairly irrelevant, just so long as you apply a consistent amount of force from shot to shot.

                  Personally, Ive found my Espro to be great in teaching me this consistency, this seems like the same kind of thing. Just so long as I tamp consistently I have found it leaves me with (only!!) grind and dose to play with as the main variables in controlling shot times and flavours.
                  While I started off with the Tamp being an exact and measurable value...

                  At the end of the day it is more about consistency and being able to repeat what you did....

                  Yes the tamp is important.. But playing with the new http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1235434554 method... I have found that I can use much less pressure..

                  However it is all a trade off... Grind size / Dosing / Tamp all play an important role in producing that "god"shot. Thus depending on your Equipment / Beans / Environmental conditions etc etc The is no rule that is 100% correct rule... It is a base line and from there you will need to develop what works for you.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Spring loaded tamper

                    Consistency is the main thing, not so much absolute values of pressure or whatever. The original Vanilla tamper we made was designed for those sorts of situations, though without the spring, and consistently tamping upwards with force and keeping it level was always a problem. But if youre finding you can consistently get good results then go for it.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Spring loaded tamper

                      Originally posted by 57737A7A79794357736F71731C0 link=1235974123/5#5 date=1236083713
                      Do you use your hand to cup under the PF and push
                      or use wrist strength while holding the PF handle
                      KK
                      I just use my wrist, its not as awkward as it seems.



                      Originally posted by 7873697B242D1C0 link=1235974123/6#6 date=1236096789
                      7kg isnt enough for a good tamp according to current figures. should be 15kg/30lb, so you might need a sturdier spring. Might also pay to ensure it stays level by adding a couple of guiding rods or something on top? tis a good idea though *looks at pullman tamper and wonders where to fit a spring...  :-?
                      The 7kg ones did seem a bit weak. I have some 12kg ones to try tonight.

                      Andrew.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Spring loaded tamper

                        Does the machine move (or lift up) when you up-tamp?

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                        • #13
                          Re: Spring loaded tamper

                          Originally posted by 253939263D5C0 link=1235974123/11#11 date=1236128878
                          Does the machine move (or lift up) when you up-tamp?
                          No, The Lucy weighs about 25kg. Think of a Silvia and Rocky in one big box. 8-)

                          Andrew.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Spring loaded tamper

                            Wouldnt 15kg of upward force be enough to lift up one side?

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Spring loaded tamper

                              Before I got a "proper tamper" my Solis had a plastic one built in to the left of the PF underneath the machine. The biggest and only real problem I found with it was a tilted tamp. Even with it being lighter than a lucy resting a spare hand on the top of the machine it was possible to get plenty of pressure on the PF.

                              If you find it works and are happy then you are in front 8-)

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