Auto Tamp

[Tazza d'oro]

Anyone have any knowledge about the "Auto Tamp" as shown at:

http://www.autotamp.com

price is $259 shipped

[HB]

I have no personal experience with it, though I did find the Autotamp video hilariously bad:



A quick search of the web turned up some reviews on CoffeeGeek that looked suspicious for their unique combination of unqualified enthusiasm and lack of information. I've owned the Macap auto-tamper for a couple years, though I use it infrequently nowadays. I recommend practice with a bathroom scale or training tamper (espro, Clicker Tamp).


From the thread Home barista techniques that the pros shun (and vice versa)

PS: Generally I discourage cross-posting, but given the dearth of information, no problem; as a courtesy, please mention the other post(s) in your repost so members can avoid repeating themselves (link).

[EL8ED]

No experience with AutoTamp, but I think it looks odd and I am sceptical about the consistency of a simple spring mechanism producing repeatable tamp pressure.

That said, I grew up in Vienna/Austria area coffee houses where auto tampers are standard issue, at least in the better, high traffic ones. I know that precision hand tamping is considered the more sophisticated technique among US baristas, but I personally think that an auto-tamper is a great tool for someone who doesn't want to invest the time and coffee beans necessary to acquire a high enough tamping standard to make predictably good espresso.

I ordered the Elektra version (chrome) of the Macap dynamometric tamper with my new espresso setup. I will report back how it works once everything gets here and is installed.



Cheers,
Oliver

[HB]

I sometimes use the Macap auto-tamper during testing when I'm feeling really persnickety about tamp pressure and level. But one problem with the level is many portafilters have curved bowls (like Elektra's), so the correct level of the tamp is again dependent on you holding the handle at the proper angle. Not all portafilters will fit either. For example, I had to remove the spout to fit the portafilter for the Cimbali Junior. On the other hand, Junior's portafilter has a perfectly flat bottom, which is ideal for an auto-tamper. Bottomless portafilters work nicely too since they have flat bottoms, though the fork becomes more of a "platform" than rest.

The Macap/Elektra dynamometric tamper is a very finely crafted piece of machinery. The suspect review I mentioned earlier derides the solid aluminum and black powercoated frame of the Macap, implying it is inferior. I disagree; its construction, movement, and precision are top-notch.

EDIT: Note that the Macap auto-tamper piston is 56.5mm, not 58mm. If you want a really tight fitting piston, Reg Barber may be able to fashion one for you. I simply tamp multiple times in a NSEW pattern to hit all the edges.

[Tazza d'oro]

Just took a look at Chris Coffee site and for a difference of $16, it appears Macap is the winner...Xmas is coming soon. Is there anywhere this might be available for a lower total price? Chris' price of $275 includes shipping.

[HB]

Call Chris and tell him you want the HB discount. Once he stops laughing, he may knock some off the top. Stranger things have happened.

[stevendouglas]

I ordered the Elektra version (chrome) of the Macap dynamometric tamper with my new espresso setup. I will report back how it works once everything gets here and is installed.

Has anyone tried the Versalab precision packer? It looks like a lot of muscle for about the same price as the other auto tampers.

Oliver - that's one nice looking tamper, where did you get it?

[darrylr]

Has anyone tried the Versalab precision packer?

Yes sir, I own one. It works great. What I like is that you can adjust the tamping pressure. What I don't like is you have to plumb it. Not too big a deal I guess. You can get very high tamping pressure with this, easily to 80 lbs. I haven't checked how much higher; partly that depends on your line pressure.

Darryl

[EL8ED]

Oliver - that's one nice looking tamper, where did you get it?

I ordered it from Chris Coffee along with a few other Elektra items. Please be aware that the Elektra tamper is not chrome but polished stainless steel. Not that this is a bad thing, but it is not as sparkly as on the photo. Workmanship and functionality are top notch though.

Peace,
Oliver