Dear Rio/Mazzer/Astoria Super Jolly owners,
Please help this HB forum newbie.

After one month of reading through HB and CG forums, I think I have reached "analysis paralysis" and will just pull the trigger on brand new Mazzer SJ from 1st-line.net

My questions to existing SJ owners are below. I thank you in advance for the reply(ies):
QUESTION 1:
1st-line.net states their SJ is "Automatic with start every 12 doses and stop when the ground coffee doser is full" and "Timer switch." Chriscoffee.com and WLL do not mention this in their descriptions of SJ. Also the latter two sell their SJs for higher price and both do not offer black color. Per Mazzer website (http://www.mazzer.com/gfx/prodotti/pdf/...09_low.pdf) there are three versions of SJ: (1) manual switch; (2) timer switch (and my guess is this is Chris' and WLL's version; (3) automatic with start every 12 doses and stop when the ground coffee doser is full.
Since I plan to make the SJ into a doserless, is hard to remove the "automatic with start every..." and any instructions on doing this (I tried googling this w/o success). I will need an "idiots" guide with diagrams or idiots-level description as my electrical skills are dangerous (e.g. cannot change ceiling light fixture to new one so had to find "idiots" guide at Lowes while neighbor friend did the first one).

QUESTION 2:
If this "automatic with start every 12 doses...." thingy cannot be removed (or no "idiots" removal guide exists) then would the Schnozzola still be possible (i.e. could get the schnozzola around whatever plate/sensor is in the doser)?

QUESTION 3:
What is largest diameter tamper that will fit as the hopper replacement? Please tell me it can only be a 58mm custom Pullman so that I may pass that information onto my suspicious wife.

Of course if there are any suggestions for other grinders in the Vario/SJ quality&price range please offer your opinions. Then my "analysis paralysis" can begin all over again

BACKGROUND:
Plan is SJ will be the espresso-only grinder. I "rotate" espresso roasters about every 2-3 months. Thus changes to the dialed in stepless adjustment will be infrequent. Existing doserless Rocky will be the drip coffee & French press-only grinder. Will remove hopper from the SJ so that will fit under countertop and use tamper to keep beans in place. I drink two espressos per day (one in am and one in pm); the wife drinks two cappuccinos per day and two drip cups per day. When we have guests over once per month all bets are off - French press, drip, lattes and espresso based drinks.

Why brand new SJ?
I have lost two auctions on ebay for used SJs (newest one 2003) that sold for ~$450-500 (excluding shipping). Also in reviewing the prices of completed auctions in past month, it seem SJ range (for ones in good cosmetic shape) are $300-$500 excluding shipping and replacement non-duranium burrs. I prefer black color given the choice. My painting skills suck so I do not want to learn quality enamel paint or powder coat; I want black grinder to match the mostly black viewable portion on existing Rocky Grinder; my kitchen is in danger of stainless steel overload per the wife. Given price difference from these good used SJ and 1st-line.com new black SJ of $679 (with free shipping and 1 year warranty), I will just bite the bullet on new SJ.

Why not just get a Mahlkoenig/Baratza Vario?
Nothing against the Vario, but I want to ensure its reliability stands the test of time. As of now, long term (i.e. >5 years) reliability has not been shown like for the SJ. Jim Schulman's 4/18/2009 post on the Vario Baratza Vario Grinder - Second Look also raised my concern about long term reliability. I am in espresso for the long haul (already been enjoying for past 20 years). If the Vario proves its mettle then I likely will get the Vario in 5-10 years as 3rd grinder (along with the Speedster or GS/3 too ).

Why doserless?
Please see above daily consumption use. Also I am quite comfortable with declumping with the Weiss Distribution Technique.

Make sure that you call all of the vendors and ask about their "best" price; do not assume that the prices listed on the web are the "best" price that a vendor will offer you.
Good luck...

Since I plan to make the SJ into a doserless, is hard to remove the "automatic with start every..." and any instructions on doing this (I tried googling this w/o success). I will need an "idiots" guide with diagrams or idiots-level description as my electrical skills are dangerous (e.g. cannot change ceiling light fixture to new one so had to find "idiots" guide at Lowes while neighbor friend did the first one).

It is more than simple. The mechanism of the doser has a micro switch, just connect these 2 wires to each other. This way the grinder will start the moment it is switched on.
Also remove the auto-stop switch in the dosing chamber and also connect these 2 wires to each other, if not connected the grinder will not run.
All the wires go to a connection strip on the bottom of the grinder, so it will be very easy to do.

Frank

Given the choice between an "auto", timer or simple On/Off model I would opt for On/Off model as first choice because it is easily adapted to us with an external timer - very convenient for one shot grinding and doserless use. Second choice would be timer model because you can either flip timer on to then hit button on auto-resetting shot timer or can replace that simple Mazzer rotary spring loaded timer switch with an on/off switch. Auto model at bottom of the list because it's intended for cafes that allow the grinder to run and fill doser chamber with grounds. It's a useless feature for home users and takes more effort to convert to ON/Off switch than the timer models.

Dan,
I actually saw the referenced thread but caeffe's post worried me. He states wire colors differ between the Robur and the Major. Remember my comment about how I am dangerous with electricity. I know to keep things unplugged; but as my wife will attest, my "attempts" to fix electrical items in the past (even with labeling of wires) has been poor.

As I am fond to say in DeForrest Kelley voice, "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor not an electrician."

Anyone with electrical diagram of the SJ? "Blu" posted hand written one for the Major though I suspect it will differ for the SJ. I found none via google. I suppose if I had one on hand then I could just pay electrical experienced person to do the disconnecting of the doser and the autostop.

Any one able to fit the schnozzola in the doser past the flap thing and have it work?

To "Phaelon56",
I agree that of the three Mazzer SJ models, the manual switch model would be ideal choice. But I cannot find on-line retailer that stocks one in black. I suspect this is why 1st-line.net is able to have its SJ for the least price (as this is the least desired SJ variant for home use). Also as mentioned in my original post, given the choice I would choose black color; especially if I am going to fork over the extra $ for brand new model. The Mazzer website for the SJ shows eight available colors. Chris Coffee and WLL only stock the timer version and only silver color. If you know of any retailer that has brand new, manual switch, black (or dark grey as distant 2nd choice color) SJ then please e-mail me or PM.

Since you're buying new, I have a couple suggestions..

First, There is no need to buy the Auto model. Often times people buy them, because they get a great deal, and removing the auto-grind isn't the end of the world. But, when buying new, who wants to have to open the grinder first thing out of the box?

Second, Between the Timer model, and the On/Off model.. You can use the exactly the same. With the on/off, obviously, turn it on, then turn it off. With the Timer model, turn the timer on, grind your coffee, then turn the timer back off. You dont need to let the timer, "run out its time", you can simply turn it back to the "off" position when you need to.

Given that, 1st Line DOES sell the Black SuperJolly, with the Timer Switch. Same price as the Silver.


But, before you buy ANYTHING.. CALL Chris' Coffee, and CALL Jim at 1st-Line. Ask them for their best price. Whenever you are buying something that costs a couple hundred or more, you should ALWAYS call and ask for the best price. Often you will get a better price quote.

I can understand wanting a certain color. Mazzers are made in many colors, but black and silver are what is most often sold from the usual suspects. I wouldnt sacrifice getting the Silver just to get the On/Off switch, when you can get the Black in the Timer Switch. The Timer Switch, as I said, can be used just like the On/Off Switch. Cafe's use the Timer model as such, twist it on/twist it off.

FWIW, I agree, the Black models looks the best on the larger grinders.(The Mini I think looks best in polished)

ha, that 03' SJ on the bay was mine. I sold it after I bought a Vario.


Cheers,
Jammin

Thank you "JmanEspreso" for the reply.

For the past month this is listed on Chris Coffee web site on SJ page "Note: Only available in metallic silver with timer at this time. We take no special orders on Mazzer Grinders." I thought this made it clear that he does not stock nor will order anything else.
For the past month 1st-line.net only lists Mazzer SJ with the automatic....
Assumption is the mother of all screw up so I will call Chris and Jim on 2/1 (but I'm not overly optimistic).

Regarding the color, I am only being picky with the brand new machines; if I'm paying the premium for brand new then might as well get color I want. You'd think black would not be so hard to find. It's not like I am looking for the dark red or gold color variant SJ (http://www.mazzer.com/colori.asp?id=1&p...ER%20JOLLY).

jammin wrote:ha, that 03' SJ on the bay was mine. I sold it after I bought a Vario.


Cheers,
Jammin

In Homer Simpson voice... Doh!!

In all seriousness "jammin" I appreciated your prompt e-mail response to my question for that e-bay auction. I do not have good luck buying stuff on e-bay if I can't be online at time auction ends. For that auction I did not have internet access in the minutes before that auction ended to change my high bid.