Macap 57mm vs. Espro 58mm tamper

by **Tazza d'oro** on Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:09 pm

I'm going to purchase one or the other. However, I'm confused as to why MACAP uses the 57mm rather than the common 58mm for E61 groups. Does the untamped circumference create an addition uncertainty to the entire operation? I'm not afraid of the noise factor as regards the MACAP...I'm only interested in the best tamp. I'm now at an age when I no longer trust my personal feeling as to the pressure required...hence my decision to remove any uncertainty from my espresso equation.

by **Tazza d'oro** on Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:06 pm

As I have recently written, I am strongly considering the purchase of either an Espro or Macap tamper. In researching this, I turned to two sites regarding MACAP....the official Macap.it and 1st-Line. The official Macap.it lists the pressure at 14Kg (30.8lbs). On the 1st-Line, they list pressure at 40lbs. I phoned 1st-Line for a clarification...the man answered they list 40lbs. I asked as to why the difference and was told "why are you bothering me with this question". So much for great customer service. That person could not sell me bread during a famine.

The question actually is, my above rant aside, does the difference of approximately 9lbs of pressure, truly make an important difference in the result. Also, as I posted earlier, would Macap having only a 57mm piston yield an inferior result compared to the 58mm of an Espro? Incidentally, the Macap is $20 more expensive.

by HB on Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:46 pm

Please noted that I've merged your new thread with your previously one...

Tazza d'oro wrote:The question actually is, my above rant aside, does the difference of approximately 9lbs of pressure, truly make an important difference in the result.

No.

Tazza d'oro wrote: Also, as I posted earlier, would Macap having only a 57mm piston yield an inferior result compared to the 58mm of an Espro? Incidentally, the Macap is $20 more expensive.

*shrug* Some prefer a tightly fitted piston, others like a bit of slack. If I had a 57mm tamper, I would do a NSEW tamp / Staub tamp, but I admit that's force of habit.

For what it's worth, I have both the Macap and Espro tamper. The Espro feels more like a "normal" tamper; some prefer the Macap's distinct barrel shape because it presumably encourages a better grip, similar to the Reg Barber Radical Pro.

From HB Roadshow - Espresso Tamper Reviews

I close with a second *shrug* since I place the importance of the tamp way down on the list of critical contributors to exceptional espresso, especially since it's also one of the least difficult skills to master (e.g., proper dose/distribution is much more challenging, as is diagnosing the cause of taste defects).

by **cafeIKE** on Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:57 pm

The whole 30# pressure idea is nonsense.
57 vs 58mm makes no difference.

Neither of the two tampers mentioned will ensure a vertical tamp.
If that concerned, get the Macap CPS Professional dynamometric tamper.

OR just adjust tamp pressure to something comfortable, say somewhere between 0 and 5000kg :wink:

by **tekomino** on Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:59 pm

I use Espro and it is very nice tamper. Usability is great, I have no desire to change it, but I could tamp with anything... You can try no tamp at all as well and see what you get :shock:

by **zin1953** on Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:25 pm

cafeIKE wrote:The whole 30# pressure idea is nonsense.
57 vs 58mm makes no difference.

Neither of the two tampers mentioned will ensure a vertical tamp.
If that concerned, get the Macap CPS Professional dynamometric tamper.

OR just adjust tamp pressure to something comfortable, say somewhere between 0 and 5000kg

+1

by **leozava** on Thu Feb 17, 2011 12:04 am

i'm using the espro with my 2 group simonelli and have no complaints


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