sunbeam em0480 shim kit 1 washer = 7 clicks of finer coffee

[LeroyC]

To ressurect this old thread.

My just purchased used $60.00 EM480 was far too coarse on the 0 setting.
I put in a cardboard shim very thin, and got it to go OKish, so put in a fibre washer, maYBE ABOUT 0.33mm, I didn't measure it.
Now I can choke my EM6910 on a grind of 10, so set it on about 11 or 12.
However 2 questions,
the gap from fine and a good pour, to coarse is about 1 click, (using a VST basket)

And I had to take the top washer with the arm on it off to get enough thread to put the nut back on.
And I think the shaft has a bit of movement in it, maybe too worn to be a long term grinder for anyone (was going to give it to my daughter!)

Comments welcomed

You need to get the proper shims from Sunbeam, or at the very least an exact replica. They are only 0.25mm thick and for some reason nothing else seems to work. I think a few people have had some luck using other things as you are, but I'd say they're in the minority. I know I had no luck until I reverted to using Sunbeam shims and nothing else. I don't know why it's like this, but it just is.

[readeral]

My thoughts on this machine have changed a lot since July, now I've got some experience with it on espresso. I've been using it since then, but am just about to purchase a new grinder.

I can't be confident to suggest you keep that fibre washer, unless you're sure it won't melt/burn up. The shims provided by Sunbeam are stainless steel and very thin - I have 4 in there stock from the factory. I normally grind around 10 for fresh, 8 for ageing beans and 7 chokes the machine, so 3 clicks is a normal range of use I think.
The VST basket might be too 'brutal' for the em0480, but I normally (with my much more forgiving stock ECM baskets) hold in the button at the back and make tiny adjustments as necessary (a la discussion re stepless above, this approach I've found perfectly sufficient without need for tape or filing anything down). If the burrs are flogged out, you might be getting more fines clamming up the filter basket. Mine is getting pretty old, and now it's been used consistently for espresso, increased fines is rapidly becoming my experience.

I don't know, but it could be that the top washer serves a stabilising function for the shaft, or even for holding the bottom burr firmly. I wouldn't run the machine without it, personally.

[rawill]

To ressurect this old thread.

My just purchased used $60.00 EM480 was far too coarse on the 0 setting.
I put in a cardboard shim very thin, and got it to go OKish, so put in a fibre washer, maYBE ABOUT 0.33mm, I didn't measure it.
Now I can choke my EM6910 on a grind of 10, so set it on about 11 or 12.
However 2 questions,
the gap from fine and a good pour, to coarse is about 1 click, (using a VST basket)

And I had to take the top washer with the arm on it off to get enough thread to put the nut back on.
And I think the shaft has a bit of movement in it, maybe too worn to be a long term grinder for anyone (was going to give it to my daughter!)

Comments welcomed

[readeral]

sunbeam em0480 shim kit 1 washer = 7 clicks of finer coffee

If you try searching this site you will find detailed instructions for converting a 480 to stepless.

Also, once bedded in the 480 is a surprisingly good grinder.

Thanks. I haven't got around to looking yet, but will do. I've had this grinder for 6 years, so it's well past its expected lifespan, but I have as you say, found it surprisingly good for what it is. I wonder if given its age my attempts to make it stepless will kill it... We'll see.

Allthecoffee - Yeah the grind steps are too big for me to consistently make espresso, not so much you can't have something nice enough in milk, but for me it's spent most of its life (and much of its near future I'm sure) just being a French press grinder anyway, so has done ok as that just set on its maximum. I don't yet own my own coffee machine (was fortunate enough to borrow a Silvia for a month recently - long enough to catch the bug!) so I'm hoping I can keep this one active as my first grinder for my first machine - lowering my initial investment cost...

[allthecoffee]

curious, are you actually having trouble with the "steps" in the grinder being too large for good adjustment?

[TampIt]

On the whole '7 clicks finer coffee' does this actually work for finer tuning? Or does it just shift the whole lot one way for those people who's machines are a being a bit of a burk and could never grind finer in the first place? (I'm guessing that's what was meant..)
Anyone successfully modified one of these for being stepless? I'm guessing not... I'm trying to get away with not buying a new grinder but doubt I'll last long..

If you try searching this site you will find detailed instructions for converting a 480 to stepless.

Also, once bedded in the 480 is a surprisingly good grinder.

[readeral]

On the whole '7 clicks finer coffee' does this actually work for finer tuning? Or does it just shift the whole lot one way for those people who's machines are a being a bit of a burk and could never grind finer in the first place? (I'm guessing that's what was meant..)
Anyone successfully modified one of these for being stepless? I'm guessing not... I'm trying to get away with not buying a new grinder but doubt I'll last long..

[gonzo89]

It sounds to me like Marc1 was talking about the Nemox/Lelit grinder. In that scenario, his instructions make complete sense. The Nemox/Lelit has two plastic 'screws/holders' that prevent the upper burr from going further than the 2 screw allow.

[LeroyC]

I just read the em0489 manual and there's nothing in there about it.

[readeral]

My EM0480 doesn't have any screws holding the top burr in place either (would be nice I suppose!). I suspect Marc1 is either referring to the Breville Smart Grinder Pro (with the adjustable top burr fitting) or maybe a newer version of the Sunbeam? I've had my EM0480 since 2009, so can't comment on what might've changed over the past 6 years...

[LeroyC]

Shimming the bottom burr is a last resort when the grinder is worn. It should work but I bet that the reason your grinders need adjustment is not that they are worn past the last setting but they have never been set correctly from factory.
There is a setting in the top burr that is "explained" in the manual but is indecipherable.
All you need to do is pull the top burr out, take the 2 side screws that keep the burr in the plastic sleeve and turn towards the direction of finer grind inside the sleeve and put the screw back in the new position.

What screws are you talking about? I don't see any screws. Are you definitely talking about the EM0480?

[Marc1]

Shimming the bottom burr is a last resort when the grinder is worn. It should work but I bet that the reason your grinders need adjustment is not that they are worn past the last setting but they have never been set correctly from factory.
There is a setting in the top burr that is "explained" in the manual but is indecipherable.
All you need to do is pull the top burr out, take the 2 side screws that keep the burr in the plastic sleeve and turn towards the direction of finer grind inside the sleeve and put the screw back in the new position.

[LeroyC]

Hi, 1st post here.
I've looked around on the forum for more info Re' the Sunbeam EM0480 but landed here.
My question is- With all of these shim issues, are the EM0480's worth the money or would
I be buying a head-ache?
Hope this isn't classified as "highjacking"

Depends if you're looking to buy a new one or a second hand one. If you're thinking of buying a new one at full retail I'd consider other options as you can often get a very decent 2nd hand grinder for <$300. BUT if you've bought or spotted a cheap 2nd hand Sunbeam then go for it. I just bought a 2nd hand one on Trade Me here in NZ (online auction site) for $17.50. Seller stated it wasn't grinding fine enough so there wasn't much interest in it. I picked it up, cleaned it and tested it. It was working great, in good condition, but not fine enough for espresso even though there were 2 factory fitted shims in place already.
So I ordered a couple of shims off eBay and tried some normal washers in the correct size while I waited. None of these thicker washers worked, they actually made the grind COURSER. When the proper shims arrived I popped both of them in and VOILA!! So there are now FOUR shims in place and I still have to have the grinder set on about 4-5 for espresso, but for $25 I have a really good grinder. It's quieter than my Nemox Lux so it has the tick of approval from my wife. Grind quality and speed is about the same as the Nemox so I'm a very happy camper and will be keeping it as my main grinder for now.

[Darren_Cook]

Hi, 1st post here.
I've looked around on the forum for more info Re' the Sunbeam EM0480 but landed here.
My question is- With all of these shim issues, are the EM0480's worth the money or would
I be buying a head-ache?
Hope this isn't classified as "highjacking"

[bb2wa]

I contacted Sunbeam and asked for a shim kit, thinking they would just send it without any fuss. No so. The asked for proof of purchase etc etc. Meanwhile I ordered 2 from ebay. Total cost incl postage was $3. Very very fast delivery.
Meanwhile some a**h*** burgled my holiday house and stole the grinder.
If I buy a replacement, won't be sunbeam.