I am thinking of adding a Macap automatic tamper as my next birthday toy. Currently, I use a LavaPro witha convex bottom. My problem is that I always wind up with a noticeable lack of level as to the puck. This in spite of being careful to align the tamp prior to full press. Would the Macap end this problem? Also, can I substitute the convex bottom I already have on the LavaPro to the flat 57mm of the Macap? This would be used in conjunction with LM ridged baskets in a bottomless Rancilio as supplied by Chris.

The thread "Does a good center tamp take care of the sides?" debates the merits of the Macap auto-tamper. It certainly will assure a level tamp if the portafilter has a flat bottom or you tamp directly into the basket alone. The image below is the 53mm auto-tamper piston next to the Reg Barber 58mm piston:



It's not clear from the photo, but the thread sizes aren't the same (I would guess 6mm and 8mm?). Working on your technique and perhaps a training tamper (Clicker Tamp or espro) would be a less expensive option to consider.

IMHO there are far better ways to spend your money.