Spresso_Bean wrote:Just to add to this - the used portafilters are for E-61 type groups. Not a bad deal but it also states the condition may vary.

Espresso Liquidators are presently selling new PF's, of the fifteen degree LM knock-off type for twelve bucks and shipping. If you can make it nekkid for less than eight bucks, you're in business. Of course, it comes without the basket or the retaining ring, but I got a triple and a ring for another two-fifty a piece. PF, retaining wire, and triple filter for less'n fifteen bucks? Gonga. Making it nekkid in the privacy of your own garage or porch? Priceless.

Both of the previous posts point out screamin' deals on portafilters. But the 15 degree angled portafilters are designed for level tamping on a flat surface with a double spout:


It's almost a shame to chop these...

But the 15 degree angled portafilters are designed for level tamping on a flat surface with a double spout:

Yup. There is still no reason that they can't be used nekkidified. The fifteen degree tilt is no more of a hassle than a regular PF is with spouts and lacking the fifteen degree tilt. It's even easier. Lay up the bottom of the basket on a flat surface and let the handle trail off the edge, and tamp. Cakewalk.
For two fully loaded bottomless portafilters shipped to your house and the proper holesaw to make 'em bottomless for under the price of one nekked pretty much anywhere else on the planet, the fifteen degree tilt seems a very small hassle.
Besides, I'm keeping the fifteen degrees with spouts, and just nekkidifying the stock handles I have.

shadowfax wrote:last year I just took my Gaggia's PF to a local machine shop and they lathed it out (very well) into a naked PF for about $15, and 2 days' wait... How much is your time worth?

Looks cool, though, I don't think I could get one looking that nice with a dremel!

We Nashville folk aren't as blessed as you. 2 machine shops wanted $59, and $69...their hourly rate.

$69 to cut the bottom out? Send it to me, I will do it for $20.

$20???

$19.95 right here!

jk... Dave has some serious equipment!

I have also been known to work for a few good cigars.

IMAWriter wrote: 2 machine shops wanted $59, and $69...their hourly rate.

A machinist should get paid rather well for the skills that he has amassed over the years, and the giant investment that he's made in his tools.
OTOH, you could buy a drill and the hole saw yourself, plus a grinder and the fine paper, or a dremel tool, and do it yourself for that money, and end up with sixty bucks worth of tools. Or find a local stagehand to do it, or someone else that has the tools required and a skill level somewhat less than a machinist. A drill press and basic woodworking skills (brass ain't that awful different in this particular case...) are all that's needed. A hand drill could be used, a press is just easier.

IMAWriter wrote:We Nashville folk aren't as blessed as you. 2 machine shops wanted $59, and $69...their hourly rate.

See here for another relatively inexpensive option.

That is easy. Anyone can mount a portafilter in a chuck and use a carbide cutter in a lathe to chop the bottom. Real men gnaw it out with their teeth or use a plasma cutter.

RapidCoffee wrote:But the 15 degree angled portafilters are designed for level tamping on a flat surface with a double spout:

Odd. mine end up with the pointy bits on the handle side of the bottom, and I'd prefer them on the far side, for better balance (the thing wants to tip if I let go with the tamper still in the basket). Did you mod yours, or did it just end up that way? Oh, and is yours really flat? Mine is close, but it still droops a bit the far end.