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Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

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  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Murphys Law will tell you that when you discover why they stay in place, they will start to fall out

    Leave a comment:


  • sdg
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Im not sure the "smidge" is that important. You dont want them too tall since theyll want to find their correct level as they go round and round.

    But what I still dont quite know is -- if they can move enough to be self-adjusting, why they dont (at least occasionally) fall out :-?

    Leave a comment:


  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Originally posted by simone link=1204112340/20#39 date=1219494626

    Going by the spare which I eventually found tucked inside one of my notebooks, looks like theyre 26 x 15 mm.

    The 26mm is determined by the width of the vane, and presumably the 15mm is (interior) height plus a smidge.

    (not sure how much of a smidge tho -- I made a note about it at the time, but of course I cant find it now!)
    Thanks it gives me some idea for a starting point. I guess you had to use some trial and error. According to WotB the smidge is about a millimetre

    Leave a comment:


  • sdg
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Originally posted by flynnaus link=1204112340/20#38 date=1219444651
    Simone, this sounds like a good and easy mod. What are the dimensions of the 6 rectangles you cut out?
    Ack! I just knew someone was going to ask that... :-/

    (some scratching around ensues... )

    Going by the spare which I eventually found tucked inside one of my notebooks, looks like theyre 26 x 15 mm.

    The 26mm is determined by the width of the vane, and presumably the 15mm is (interior) height plus a smidge.

    (not sure how much of a smidge tho -- I made a note about it at the time, but of course I cant find it now!)

    Leave a comment:


  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Originally posted by simone link=1204112340/20#37 date=1219411068
    You dont even need to take a single thing apart to do this.

    1. Cut 6 rectangles of something stiff and thin (I used some card).
    2. Lay Mazzer on its back.
    3. slowly pull the doser lever -- each vane will present itself over the chute to have its piece of card inserted.
    4. Stand Maz up and test

    Believe it or not, this works -- I havent had a piece of card land in my PF yet  8-)
    The trick is having card just thin enough to insert easily, but thick enough to stay put once there. Also card, being paper, can be slightly "squashed" to make it a smidge fatter if required.
    Simone, this sounds like a good and easy mod. What are the dimensions of the 6 rectangles you cut out?

    Leave a comment:


  • sdg
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Originally posted by Wine_of_the_Bean link=1204112340/20#28 date=1204664873
    Javabeen, my sweep mod is simple, yet a bit fiddly.

    You take a lid of a takeaway box, and using some sharp scissors, cut small rectangular shapes. It is a bit of trial and error getting the right size to fit.

    Take apart the sweep mechanism, and simply fit the rectangles between the top and bottom parts of the sweep.

    For simplicitys sake, I only put one rectangle in, and it was a bit frustrating trying to keep it from falling out while I reassembled the sweep mechanism.

    The rectangles only need to be a mil or so longer than the bottom part of the sweep to be effective.
    You dont even need to take a single thing apart to do this.

    1. Cut 6 rectangles of something stiff and thin (I used some card).
    2. Lay Mazzer on its back.
    3. slowly pull the doser lever -- each vane will present itself over the chute to have its piece of card inserted.
    4. Stand Maz up and test

    Believe it or not, this works -- I havent had a piece of card land in my PF yet 8-)

    The trick is having card just thin enough to insert easily, but thick enough to stay put once there.

    Also card, being paper, can be slightly "squashed" to make it a smidge fatter if required.

    Leave a comment:


  • gronk62
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Originally posted by javabeen link=1204112340/20#35 date=1219405914
    I hope this useful to someone, anyone
    It certainly has been useful to me. Thankyou

    Leave a comment:


  • javabeen
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    I thought Id give an update having lived with the Mazzer for 5 months now.

    Grind quality is excellent as most would know.

    Adjusting the grind is easy and the results of a fine adjustment can be seen. I do prefer the worm drive adjustment thingy of the M4 though as I previously owned an Iberital Challenge which had the same feature and it was easier. I think this is better for home use than the collar adjustment of the MM simply because its easier.
    But dont underestimate the impact that a small change to your dose can have on your pour... But thats another thread entirely!

    Now the decider for me buying the MM over the Macap M4 was that I needed to switch grind settings from fine for eeeespresso to course for plunger. I rarely do this now as my espresso shots have improved over the past 6 months that I very rarely reach for the plunger. But when I do its so easy to switch the grind. So it will come in handy this Sunday when I make a plunger brew for the fishing trip I have planned. And its just sooo easy to switch back to the espresso setting.

    Now it doesnt sweep clean, but the sticky tape mod works a treat. More of an issue is sweeping out the top of the star in the doser, but theres a mod for that too!

    Now the best thing about this grinder is just how easy it is to pull apart and clean the burrs. You have full and easy access to the burrs once the collar is removed. This just requires several turns of the collar and there you have it - out comes the top burr and sweep away to clean the bottom burr. This makes it less of a chore to clean so youll do it more regularly. I would not hesitate buying the Mazzer again based on this single feature alone.
    I reckon keeping your gear clean is important for having excellent espresso.

    I hope this useful to someone, anyone

    Javabeen.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dolcimelo
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Originally posted by redzone121 link=1204112340/30#31 date=1205744133
    I have a Macap M4 (bullet proof) in my opinion. I have tried a couple of Mazzers when on a course and the adjustment to change the grind was out of the Ark.
    Youre joking..... right?

    shawn_low

    I agree about the sweep and throw, but both are very easy to fix. I think we all must accept, as well, that grinding is essentially messy - but, of course, we dont want to waste our precious grinds.

    As for the low fork, that was one of the things that swung me in favour of the mini over the Compak, as I found it easier to manoever the pf when dosing. However, I can see why not everyone would react the same way. Swings and roundabouts, I guess.

    matt

    Leave a comment:


  • shawn_low
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Just got a Mazzer Mini and its a joy to use.

    I tore open the machine to see how it worked and there are some things I liked about it:

    1) Grind adjustment.
    Easy to adjust grind. Its stepless and because the whole top burr mechanism is spring loaded (three springs), there is no play at all. The grind adjustment, once set, stays where it is.

    2) Quiet operation
    Its quieter then other grinders Ive used including the EM04080, Gino Rossi RR.

    3) Grind quality.
    Consistent and very good.

    Some things I didnt really like:
    1) Doesnt sweep clean.
    The chamber will retain a fair amount of grounds. There are mods to help the dosing star sweep better but this design can be improved.

    2) The low fork and left throw of the doser.
    The fork for the PF is a little too low and coupled with the fact that the doser tends to throw grounds to the left = messy table.

    But I like it despite the negatives. Oh, its got great resale value (If you ever decide to part with it). Most people upgrade to Mazzers and keep them.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mark
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    To contrast redzone, I find the grind adjustment on Mazzers to be their huge advantage, and vastly prefer it to the other systems Ive tried.

    Leave a comment:


  • redzone121
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    I have a Macap M4 (bullet proof) in my opinion. I have tried a couple of Mazzers when on a course and the adjustment to change the grind was out of the Ark.

    Good luck JB !
    CB.

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    For those pondering whether the K-3 Elite is worth taking over the Mazzer Mini, http://www.coffeetamper.com.au/**/reviews/mini-k3/

    Greg

    Leave a comment:


  • DiBort
    replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    For all Sydney based snobs..

    We agree! nothing is more helpful then trying out yourself all grinders you consider seriously, and get a hands on feel for the one most likely to make you happy!

    Mini Mazzer Manual, Macap M4 Micrometric & Compac K3 Touch (Doserless) are all available for demonstration in our store. Looking also to get the Compac K3 Elite soon for you to try out...

    Prices are most likely to be cheaper than RRP quoted above, as youre entitled for 5% discount on your first purchase with us! drop in anytime that suits you, no need to book in advance.

    Check our contact us page for directions: http://www.dibartoli.com.au/Contact.html

    Happy to assist with any query! Ofra & Renzo

    Leave a comment:


  • Wine_of_the_Bean
    Guest replied
    Re: Maz Mini or Macap M4 - which one to choose?

    Javabeen, my sweep mod is simple, yet a bit fiddly.

    You take a lid of a takeaway box, and using some sharp scissors, cut small rectangular shapes. It is a bit of trial and error getting the right size to fit.

    Take apart the sweep mechanism, and simply fit the rectangles between the top and bottom parts of the sweep.

    For simplicitys sake, I only put one rectangle in, and it was a bit frustrating trying to keep it from falling out while I reassembled the sweep mechanism.

    The rectangles only need to be a mil or so longer than the bottom part of the sweep to be effective.

    Leave a comment:

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