K3 grind settings are a bit tight

[Derkdigler]

Hey fellow snobs,

So i am having a slight issue with my grinder (K3) just wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar problem, and how they overcame it. So last week I gave my K3 it's standard six odd week clean, in as much as, I took out the top burr and gave the inner chamber a good clean. When I re-assembled everything I found that the top burr had become quite tight or sticky, I can change settings still without too many problems and my grind is not a problem been pulling great shots. do I need to lubricate the threads? are they burred? any idea's welcome. Thanks all.

[blend52]

Is there still a slight (<1mm) back/forward movement on the top cover(adjuster) ?
if yes, then the tightness is not in the threads but in the top burr carrier where it is attached to the adjuster collar and has to rotate independently on it.
but if the adjustment collar is jammed in the threads, then you have damaged threads and need to remove and inspect them to see what has happened. Did you clean the threads when you cleaned the burrs ?

[Dimal]

the top burr had become quite tight or sticky, I can change settings still without too many problems and my grind is not a problem been pulling great shots. do I need to lubricate the threads? are they burred? any idea's welcome. Thanks all.

G'day Dd...

Out of interest, did you use an old toothbrush (or similar) to clean out the threads of the Burr Carrier and Grinder Body while you had them apart? Sometimes, coffee detritus manages to get well and truly where it shouldn't and this can make the two parts bind up a bit when you screw the Carrier back in.

Regarding lubrication - Don't use anything 'wet' in this area as it will only attract coffee fines and cause even more trouble. Better to use Powdered Graphite (from a hardware store) or one of the good quality PTFE Dry Lube products (from a decent bicycle store for example) as these won't attract any contaminants. With the PTFE Dry Type Lubricants, you must make sure to allow the lube application to completely dry out; allow at least one day to ensure that all carrier solvent has completely evaporated.

Mal.

[TC]

What Mal said.

It will be coffee in the threads limiting movement. We like and use PTFE as well.

[Derkdigler]

Sorry for the slow reply, i have been flat out busy. Thanks everyone for the responses i will pull her apart and have another look. i will look into the PTFE. thanks again blend, mal and chris.