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Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder - Page 9

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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by Psyd on Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:24 am

Yeah, a little bit. It was single boxed, and the hopper had been removed and was riding with the rest of the machine, and the guy had surrounded it with those 'zip-lock bag fulla air' kinds of padding, little realizing that the first really good shock was going to pop those bags and then allow the grinder more room to move, and gather momentum, popping the other bags, and thus exacerbating the problem until entropy just takes over.
The good news is that the shipper returned my cash and the parts, so I can use the cash to buy broken parts.'
Not my favorite way to break even!
The truth is that I've packed more fragile items with similar packaging to travel across the US many times a month, for months on end, and had them survive without even paying too close attention to how I was handling them. The reason that the stuff gets bashed is NOT that they packaging is inadequate, but that the package handlers aren't even trying to not damage them. Next time you watch baggage getting loaded onto your plane, notice how the handler will lift the bags up so that he can drop them on the conveyor belt. It actually costs him energy to treat your bags poorly. Now, imagine what he would be doing when you can't see him, and you're probably getting close to what happens at any of the carriers.
I've discovered that it costs a bit more to make the package too heavy to throw, but that it's cheaper than the insurance! ; >
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by ronsil on Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:58 am

EspressoObsessed wrote:I thought I'd pipe in since I have done a considerable amount of grumbling on this thread. I've had a few days now to work on my grind. I have had no issues with the grinder itself which is functioning perfectly. My espresso results are quite impressive. Really, really yummy. Silky flows with beautiful mouthfeel. New flavor sensations cascading throughout my oral apparatus. I feel I may be on the edge of espresso nirvana.
Mary

- As someone still awaiting the elusive tracking number, I would like to ask if the M3 is still as you hoped & was the wait 'worth while'. & if you have had any 'build problems' to date? :roll:
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by DavidMLewis on Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:24 pm

Once the original problems had been worked out, the grinder has performed just as I'd hoped. The popcorning is a PITA, and it's a bit noisy when grinding since there's nothing over the burr area (like a hopper), but the grinds are superb, the adjustment is easy, precise, and repeatable, and the retention perhaps 0.3 grams at most, so that changing coffees throughout the day is now a regular and satisfying occurrence. Does the coffee taste better? I'd say it does, but you'd be a fool to trust the answer to that question from someone who just paid this much for a grinder that took this long to arrive. The pleasure of having a decaf espresso after dinner without having a second grinder on the counter, though, is undeniable.

Best,
David
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by Cafesp on Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:46 pm

DavidMLewis wrote:... The pleasure of having a decaf espresso after dinner without having a second grinder on the counter, though, is undeniable.

Best,
David


Couldn't agree more than that! :D
But ...what if you want to entertain your guestSSS :roll:
Now CMH comes in play :lol:

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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by EspressoObsessed on Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:06 am

I have too many things going on in my espresso world lately--two new grinders and the GS/3. I feel like I've taken a few steps backwards since it's all new and I'm not really hitting THE ZONE lately. I've had to slow down a little so I'm practicing with some CCC Aficionado rather than changing beans as frequently as I've done in the past. It's like I have ADD--I can't concentrate on controlling my variables since I'm switching back and forth between the 2 grinders. I'll start to get some sweet results on one grinder then feel kind of guilty that I'm ignoring the other one. But a few days will have passed since last use and I'll have to re-adjust my grind or dose or temp or something. Takes a few tries, frustration builds. I'm still a beginner with too many toys that are really stretching my abilities.

So my head is spinning a bit. Some days I yearn for the lower expectations of Silvia & Rocky.

But sorry, NO, you can't take this problem off my hands!

Mary

PS Still having fun
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by Cafesp on Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:22 pm

EspressoObsessed wrote:I have too many things going on in my espresso world lately--two new grinders and the GS/3. I feel like I've taken a few steps backwards since it's all new and I'm not really hitting THE ZONE lately. I've had to slow down a little so I'm practicing with some CCC Aficionado rather than changing beans as frequently as I've done in the past. It's like I have ADD--I can't concentrate on controlling my variables since I'm switching back and forth between the 2 grinders. I'll start to get some sweet results on one grinder then feel kind of guilty that I'm ignoring the other one. But a few days will have passed since last use and I'll have to re-adjust my grind or dose or temp or something. Takes a few tries, frustration builds. I'm still a beginner with too many toys that are really stretching my abilities.

So my head is spinning a bit. Some days I yearn for the lower expectations of Silvia & Rocky.

But sorry, NO, you can't take this problem off my hands!

Mary

PS Still having fun


That's exactly what I've being been thr. and even almost had myself in trouble by ordering the third grinder!
(Ditting KF-804) :oops:

God bless me!
PS Still having fun! :lol:

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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by JonR10 on Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:21 pm

This is interesting: eBay Versalab
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:27 pm

Yeah, they've been listing them on eBay for several months now. I've yet to see anyone buy one (the "10 available" number has never decreased prior to the listing's expiration), and there are no feedback entries related to the grinder listings. And the convoluted procedure they want to use to get their 50% deposit even for eBay transactions is pretty ridiculous.
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by mgrayson on Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:34 pm

Odd that they have to advertise on eBay as they have a six month waiting list as it is. Of course, the eBay add doesn't mention that....

Still waiting for mine to come back from repair. Should be any day now. :|

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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:38 pm

They don't tell people who call on the phone to order about the 6 month wait, either. :wink:

I found it interesting to read the collected eBay feedback -- most all instances of negative feedback were related to either (1) excessive delays, or (2) complete lack of communication. Hmm ... where have we heard THOSE complaints before ... :roll:
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by Richard on Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:24 pm

skyryders90 wrote:Yeah, they've been listing them on eBay for several months now.

Substitute years for months and we'll be in the right ballpark. I don't recall when I first noticed the Versalab grinders on eBay, but I would guess ca two years ago. I note their feedback record goes back to 2002, but perhaps for other products.
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:51 pm

Ahh, ok. I think they had a break in there where they didn't sell them - I've had an eBay search setup on "Versalab M3" for at least 6 months (in case someone decided to sell one used), and it was only a couple months ago that the search starting hitting.
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by mgrayson on Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:31 pm

The grinder is back and functioning perfectly so far.. :? Keeping fingers crossed.....

Matt
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:32 pm

Awesome!

At least that means they're still alive over there ... I was starting to wonder, as I've been unable to get them to return my messages for the last week.
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by Phaelon56 on Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:25 am

shadowfax wrote:they do, other than size--they have made the Mazzer Mini E type chute for the big grinders (all but the SJ I think). I don't know where you can get them in the US right now, but they are probably coming sooner than the VLM3...


The stainless steel funnel that is used on the Mini-E is currently available in the U.S. for use in converting the doser Mini or the Super Jolly. There are two different "motor cover plates" available that cover the opening left in the grinder body once the original doser chamber is removed - the cover plate for the Super Jolly is a bit larger than the one for the Mini.

What is not available yet - at least not that I know of - is a different stainless doser funnel that is taller and more suited for the Mazzer Major and there's also no motor cover plate for the Major.. What is not clear to me is whether the current stainless funnel will work okay on a Major if one fashions a motor cover.

The original doser body on a Major is the same diameter as the one on a Super Jolly but is a couple inches taller. It seems logical that due to the significantly increased distance between the portafilter forks it would make sense to have a taller funnel for the Major but I think a mod kit that raised the portafilter forks would accomplish the goal nicely. Note the distance between forks and bottom of funnel in the picture of my modded SJ - it's already a bit too far for my taste. That said - when I use my dosered Major I rarely if ever rest the PF on the forks - I hold it further up to catch more of the grounds and avoid toss off from the left throw.

If I can squeeze time out of my schedule sometime soon to work on this I'll try making a motor cover plate for my Major and see how the conversion goes.

Image
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by mgrayson on Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:52 am

After a few weeks I am pleased to report that the M3 is working perfectly, is a delight to use, if a bit messy (some caking in the funnel - maybe the sweeper clearance is too big?), and I can now focus on other sources of inconsistency in my espresso; the MK7R is a great grinder, but my workflow now involves weighing the beans before grinding.

<stares at Andreja which, barista aside, is now the weak link>

:D

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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by Phaelon56 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:44 pm

skyryders90 wrote:They don't tell people who call on the phone to order about the 6 month wait, either. :wink:

I found it interesting to read the collected eBay feedback -- most all instances of negative feedback were related to either (1) excessive delays, or (2) complete lack of communication. Hmm ... where have we heard THOSE complaints before ... :roll:


I took a gander at their Seller Feedback and much of the negative feedback about delays etc. was related to their photo darkroom products such as print washers. That implies - to me at least - that the issues extend beyond ones related solely to the grinder itself.
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:10 pm

Well, after ~4 weeks of no updates and no reponses to emails from Versalab, imagine my surprise when I got an automated notification from DHL with the tracking number of a shipment from Versalab to me. Somehow the fact that Laura and I had discussed and agree to use FedEx 2-day was lost in there, I guess. That aside, I'm happy that it's finally on the way. Maybe I'll get to sell my CMH after all!
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:41 pm

Well so much for all is well. My M3 arrived today, but it appears to have problems:

(1) The burr rotation speed is VERY low - I'm guessing in the 100-200 RPM range ... I know this is a slow RPM grinder, but I thought it was supposed to be in the 500 RPM range ... what I'm seeing it at most 2 rotations per second.

(2) The burrs do not appear to be aligned, and when looking down into the grinder while it turns, the shaft and top of the conical burr has a noticeable wobble. I disassembled the lower part of the assembly according to the included instructions, and noticed two things:
- the misalignment of the burrs, which I have included two photos of
- the top part of the wiper appears to hook up and over the lower flat burr, running BETWEEN the two flat burr sets. Is it supposed to be like that?

Image

Image

What you're seeing is not an illusion due to camera angle. In the top picture I have the camera essentially laying on the base, so it is directly inline with the burrs.
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Link to "Delivery time for Versalab M3 Grinder"by skyryders90 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:40 pm

A better view. I think I've sorted out what's wrong, too. It looks like where the shaft is set through the top plate, that it's canted just the slightest amount, so the whole thing is off by maybe a degree.

Image

Image
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