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Adjusting grind on DF64 (and perhaps DF83)

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  • Adjusting grind on DF64 (and perhaps DF83)

    Hi all, really enjoying the latest DF64 I purchased a month ago.

    I have been adjust the collar back and forth from 24 to 65 and back as I make espresso and V60 through the day. The taste of the coffee is incredible in both cases (compared to me built in Breville conical burrs).

    However it is always very difficult to adjust down from 65 to 24. I turn the grinder on to make it a little easier, but my hands tend to slip on the collar. It makes me not want to make filter coffee.

    Is this something others are finding? Is it because the springs are very tight when the grinder is new? Will it get easier, or should I try to add more lubrication to the collar?

    Thanks in advance!

    Paul

  • #2
    Unfortunately the grind adjustment on all grinders which don't have a locking mechanism has to be "firm".

    If it is too easy to adjust the grind then the grinder will do it itself when running as some owners of the early VS3 grinders found. The grind setting just walked coarser during operation.

    Maybe yours is a little too firm but exercise caution and don't go too far when easing it off. Too much lubrication will collect errant grinds and make it worse. Make sure you use a "food safe" lubricant.

    Possibly turning the collar in steps might be easier (it is with the VS3)

    Some members have two (or more) grinders each set to a different brew style to save having to make gross adjustments.

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks, this makes a lot of sense.

      Might be a good idea to use a hand grinder for the V60s in future!

      ​​​​​

      Comment


      • #4
        I have a DF64 approx 2 years old now and never had this problem. However I don't routinely switch between espresso and filter settings very often. usually just a few notches to adjust for the different beans.
        But I also agree with the post above about it needing to be firm to avoid the creep.

        Comment


        • #5
          My DF64 does exactly the same thing. I can’t turn it from coarse to fine without the motor running and it chirps the entire time I’m winding it down.

          I’m not sure why this happens but I’m not too concerned for now as it doesn’t seem to be damaging the burrs based on visual check when cleaning the machine.

          Comment


          • tompoland
            tompoland commented
            Editing a comment
            you could try checking the alignment. something sounds very off if it's the burrs are touching when adjusting the dial collar, other than when they are approaching zero point.

            https://youtu.be/Gb3PgeQ6ewY

          • JohnA
            JohnA commented
            Editing a comment
            personally i never adjust finer without the motor spinning, you could have small bean fragments still in there so will very hard to adjust finer. With it spinning, at least it will grind away anything that may be left in there.
            Going coarser though, there is no need.

            The only grinder i do adjust finer without the motor spinning is the weber key as doing so is a recipe for disaster with the burrs locking tight

            But as tompoland says, you shouldnt be hearing chirping unless you have a burr alignment issue...

          • fandrews
            fandrews commented
            Editing a comment
            Chirping might not necessarily be that the burrs are actually touching. In some cases you may have a fragment of a coffee bean that did not grind and is lodge in there somewhere. The sound should disappear as it eventually gets ground when going finer.

        • #6
          Note sure this is "normal" and it may vary depending on the vintage of your DF.

          The two DF64s I have are a breeze to change the dial setting on.

          paperythinideas and dischucker have you lubed the thread on the inside of the collar? I use molykote but most food grade grease will work fine. It does make the adjustments a little easier.

          I also have two DF83s. One of them had an issue with the dial adjustment collar being hard to turn and no amount of molykote would help. AlternativeBrewing, being the great sponsor that they are, arranged a new collar quick smart and it works a charm. One of the benefits of buying local.

          I'm not saying that there is necessarily an issue with your threads but IF you happen to be near another DF64 owner see if you can borrow a collar from their smooth-operating machine and find out. I only tweaked that there was an issue because I happened to have two of them sitting side by side and thought "gee I wonder what would happen if I switched the collars".
          Last edited by tompoland; 26 April 2023, 03:00 PM.

          Comment


          • paperythinideas
            paperythinideas commented
            Editing a comment
            Also found this video here which I found quite helpful, https://youtu.be/MWgMyYHuBQ0

          • dischucker
            dischucker commented
            Editing a comment
            Yes, I've lubed the main thread on the collar but it was a while ago now. I've got the v2 and I've also done the alignment trick twice now (not shimming under the screws though - just rotating the carrier to find the best alignment, which was pretty good, as it evenly removed the marker ink).

          • Dimal
            Dimal commented
            Editing a comment
            I tend to shy away from all greasy/oily lubricants for use on grinder threads or other metal bearing surfaces. Better to use a dry PTFE based lubricant or even Graphite Powder (used by locksmiths). Both are economical to use with emphasis being on the "Less is more." principal.

        • #7
          Originally posted by paperythinideas View Post
          Hi all, really enjoying the latest DF64 I purchased a month ago.

          I have been adjust the collar back and forth from 24 to 65 and back as I make espresso and V60 through the day. The taste of the coffee is incredible in both cases (compared to me built in Breville conical burrs).

          However it is always very difficult to adjust down from 65 to 24. I turn the grinder on to make it a little easier, but my hands tend to slip on the collar. It makes me not want to make filter coffee.

          Is this something others are finding? Is it because the springs are very tight when the grinder is new? Will it get easier, or should I try to add more lubrication to the collar?

          Thanks in advance!

          Paul
          Hi Paul,

          Where did you buy the grinder from? Maybe best reach out to them and see if they can get you a new collar.

          Comment


          • paperythinideas
            paperythinideas commented
            Editing a comment
            I bought it from Auspresso in Parramatta. They are very close so I might have a chat with them too.

          • fandrews
            fandrews commented
            Editing a comment
            I can drop off a new collar to them next week for you to swap it out or if you like I can post one to you. Just PM me your address.

        • #8
          Might be your collar my DF64 is relatively new and I have not had this problem. I have only ever struggled to move the collar when I have screwed it on too tightly after cleaning the burrs.

          Comment


          • #9
            I just tried turning it while pushing down on the hopper and it moves easily, so I think I might need to clean the contact between the hopper and the collar. Time to get some food grade lubricant!

            Comment


            • dischucker
              dischucker commented
              Editing a comment
              Great suggestion, which I'll try too. Makes me think that it could be coffee fines actually sticking to areas that had lubricant on them around the threads (not actually on the threads). So I might try cleaning the thread and bits really well and then carefully applying lube on just the threads and not spreading it all over the place.

          • #10
            I did not use this grinder. But sometimes tighter adjustment collar is pretty normal for new grinders. You can carefully apply a small amount of food-grade lubricant around the thread. However, if it does not work, contact the manufacturer and explain the issue to see if they can assist you further.​

            Comment


            • #11
              Having spoken with my retailer and distributor of the DF64 in Australia, the suggestion is not to over lubricate the threads but
              ​​​​​to make sure the threads are clean, try a new collar (which will be provided by post) or get Auspresso to take a look at how I've replaced the hopper and collar. Super helpful!

              It is good to have this local support for my DF64 :-)

              ​​​​It's a grinder that has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of coffee!

              Paul

              Comment


              • #12
                Maybe cutting some kitchen grip mat and using that when changing grind size could help adjusting?

                Comment

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