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Why are tampers so expensive?

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  • Why are tampers so expensive?

    Forgive my ignorance, please, but why are tampers so expensive? They seem like little more than machined bits of solid metal. Not exactly worthy of a hundred dollar or more price-tag.

    What don't I know or understand about these things that make them worth such a price?

  • #2
    I think most of the $100+ ones are individualised. Handles are done one-off for many, the metal is high quality rather than just a lump of cast or low grade steel and the machining can be very precise to fit a specific tamper size - exact to the VST's you can get from Things Coffee | Pullman Tamper, Coffee Tamper, VST Filter Basket, VST Refractometer, Hottop, Coffee Roaster, KN-8828B-2 (site sponsor) which can make a difference to the final product compared to a stock tamper that might have 1mm or more play around the sides.

    But you can get much cheaper ones - you might need to tamp to the play in them though (look for WEISS, or Nutating tamps)

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    • #3
      G'day TD...

      You don't have to spend a lot of money on a Tamper, if you don't think there's value in it. Lots to be had from less than $20 on the market.

      Thing is though, in the main these are just mass produced items of a generic size and shape in the vein of "One size fits all." The more expensive units though, are genuine bespoke quality tampers - Usually hand made and finished, often with adjustable features in the handle to suit a wide variety of hand sizes and shapes. The business end is made with much closer tolerances such that they can even be tailored to fit a matching set of baskets. All of this requires a lot of hands-on application and inspection, which doesn't come for free...

      Also, with such attention paid to detail, provided that you do your bit you will never be able to blame the tamper for poor performance.

      In the end, the quality of these tampers is such that they can almost be considered collectable; I certainly own more than one and several different handles to boot. In the end, it's just down to personal choice - A plain, adequately designed and manufactured tamper will still do the job but in this day and age, $100.00 isn't much to spend on a quality and maybe collectable piece of kit.

      Mal.

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      • #4
        Hmm, interesting. See, I would've assumed that there was a standard basket size so that tampers would also come in standard, appropriately fitting, sizes. Seems I was mistaken in thinking that!

        Still, if I had a lathe I'd just make my own

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by ThankDog View Post
          Hmm, interesting. See, I would've assumed that there was a standard basket size so that tampers would also come in standard, appropriately fitting, sizes. Seems I was mistaken in thinking that!

          Still, if I had a lathe I'd just make my own

          There are standard basket sizes, but there is a fair bit of variation in the precise size of '58mm' baskets produced and sold.

          Comment


          • #6
            The first cheap tamper I bought off the internet was a waste of money.

            It is so poorly made it is almost impossible to tamp properly.

            The handle is not perpendicular to tbe base and the base from memory was skewed at another angle also.

            It couldn't have been made any worse if they'd tried.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by ThankDog View Post
              Hmm, interesting. See, I would've assumed that there was a standard basket size so that tampers would also come in standard, appropriately fitting, sizes. Seems I was mistaken in thinking that!

              Still, if I had a lathe I'd just make my own
              Hi again ThankDog

              The variations in basket size have resulted in at least one tamper "stuck in an undersized basket" at virtually every Barista championship I have heard about. Not a minor issue for them at the time.

              I agree with Dimal on this, although I wish my 316 Pullman's only cost $100... The fact that I bought more of them: different size bases to suit different baskets. The handle can be adjusted to give a perfect fit "in the hand". They do not tear up the puck (unless there is serious user error), they retain almost nothing in the way of coffee and they are perfectly balanced. That makes it worth it for me. Others may differ (and validly so).

              Can I make a decent coffee without them*?: certainly. Is it as fast or as nice to use?: No. Not even close.

              *FWIW, whilst developing a prototype single (about 40mm) tamper I used a three quarter full "Smartwater lime & guava bottle" for nearly a year as the lid was the only thing I found that fitted the basket close to the way I wanted. My first 316 prototype replacement was such a massive improvement I could scarcely believe it at the time.

              If I were on a budget, my priority would be grinder, machine, basket, tamper. Access to a lathe and a piece of 316 stainless would be a valid alternative (i.e. my locally lathed prototype).

              Hope this helps.

              TampIt

              Comment


              • #8
                One might also ask why are good kitchen knives expensive when you can buy a $10 job at the local stoopidmarket. The answer becomes obvious when you pay the microsurgery bill because it ripped out half your hand.

                x2 for you gets what you pays for. The tampers we sell are beatifully machined and are for life.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Talk_Coffee View Post
                  The tampers we sell are beatifully machined and are for life.
                  Agree, When I got my Pullman tamper (with matched baskets), the cost was offset by treating it as a long term "investment". As long as you stay with a commercial 58mm group, you can keep the tamper and baskets if/when upgradeitis hits. You can feel and see the quality of a quality bit of kit, its a joy to use.

                  If I had access to a lathe I would probably keep making tampers for myself, I love to DIY!

                  Cheers

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    In a day or so I get my new Pullman; haven't looked forward to a present so much for years. So there can be more emotional reasons for wanting good tampers too.

                    And it is matched to the VST basket (the 15g - will be a bonus if it is good for the 22g as well) because Mark has the specs for each basket he sells.

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                    • #11
                      Whenever I try to get into a hobby it always ends up being bloody expensive and far more involved than I ever thought it could be

                      Also, I posted something earlier and it seems to have disappeared.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by ThankDog View Post
                        Whenever I try to get into a hobby it always ends up being bloody expensive and far more involved than I ever thought it could be

                        Also, I posted something earlier and it seems to have disappeared.
                        Hi ThankDog

                        You are probably not being picked on. I have "lost" two non-controversial posts on CS. I blame it on the wilds of the net. The only other issue, overly long posts will not accept: they do give you a fair warning at the time.

                        Please enlighten us as to the missing post (tamper or machine? or other).

                        Cheers

                        TampIt

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Talk_Coffee View Post
                          x2 for you gets what you pays for. The tampers we sell are beatifully machined and are for life.
                          Hi Chris

                          Tell me more: "beatifully machined" - although I do actually worship my tampers I did not know they could get a sainthood. Gotta get that form!

                          Seriously, I could not agree more with the sentiment, and for those that worship a good cuppa w due reverence it would be appropriate.

                          Have a great Xmas


                          TampIt

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by TampIt View Post
                            Hi Chris

                            Tell me more: "beatifully machined"
                            Bloody typos ...

                            Will have a second crack and try beautifully machined instead! Bogav are even better these days with the lathe work nearing mirror finish. I really love Gavin's work but will hold off on nominating him for sainthood.

                            Bottom line? It's all about finding a quality tamp you like. I'll leave the $10 cheapies and plakky ones for those who think the good ones are too expensive...

                            Merry Christmas to you too Tampit...

                            Chris

                            PS- ThankDog- I have a really "special" Pullman ripoff that a Chinese company sent us. It looks just the same. Really it does....$20 just for you

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi Thankdog,

                              No doubt, a good tamper is nice to have. But not essential to get started and make good espresso. Don't let that be a limiting factor. The Sunbeam machine I started on came with a free tamper. Its not a particularly nice tool, but it does the job fine. I doubt anyone could pick the cup produced with it or a $100 job, especially on "starter" espresso gear.

                              Its like hammers - you can get a cheap thing for less than $10. It will bang in nails, might last 10 years, might break tomorrow. Wouldn't want to use it all day everyday. But for the home handy-person on a budget it would be fine.

                              Have a read around - I think you'll find a fitted tamper is pretty low down the list on essential espresso making gear for beginners.

                              Pete

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