After much internet research and feed back I decided to bypass upgrade-itis (at least for a while) and jump straight into the pointy end, and the winners were - VBM domobar superlever (all stainless), Mazzer Mini grinder, Pullman tamper and a few other bits and pieces from a site sponsor as you all recommended (Chris at talk coffee) and I am very,very pleased with the results and service.
I spoke to Chris several times to help narrow what suited me the best and Chris quickly answered all my queries. .I made an appointment and called in to the showroom where Chris demonstrated the superlever and I carefully watched him grind, tamp and pull a few shots. I was won over. So out came the wallet and the CS wallet monster struck
Sadly I only had time to take the gear home and unpack my goodies as I had to go away for the weekend and could not stop thinking about my shiny new machine awaiting my return!! .
Once back home I jumped in for a play , I even fluked a good shot on the first pull but came thudding back to earth two shots later, but my tamping technique and grinding are back on track , I am even steaming silky microfroth most of the time ( I still struggle on a single small milk as the beastie certainly works quick)
I had a concern that there was undue vibration on the Mazer dosing forks , so Chris invited me back and had a look at it for me and found that some finely ground coffee was throwing it out of balance (even though I had not moved the grinder setting from the factory pre-set). He showed me how to clean the grinder and set it back up, great service indeed..... Thanks Chris and to all Coffe Snobs for their advise

I spoke to Chris several times to help narrow what suited me the best and Chris quickly answered all my queries. .I made an appointment and called in to the showroom where Chris demonstrated the superlever and I carefully watched him grind, tamp and pull a few shots. I was won over. So out came the wallet and the CS wallet monster struck
Sadly I only had time to take the gear home and unpack my goodies as I had to go away for the weekend and could not stop thinking about my shiny new machine awaiting my return!! .
Once back home I jumped in for a play , I even fluked a good shot on the first pull but came thudding back to earth two shots later, but my tamping technique and grinding are back on track , I am even steaming silky microfroth most of the time ( I still struggle on a single small milk as the beastie certainly works quick)
I had a concern that there was undue vibration on the Mazer dosing forks , so Chris invited me back and had a look at it for me and found that some finely ground coffee was throwing it out of balance (even though I had not moved the grinder setting from the factory pre-set). He showed me how to clean the grinder and set it back up, great service indeed..... Thanks Chris and to all Coffe Snobs for their advise


You probably found, as I did, that the demonstration is a vital part of the process. Im sure Chris has a dosing/tamping fairy hidden away ;D (dont blink or you miss it). It certainly made me feel more confident about the move to a bigger and better machine.
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