Got Advice On Cleaning A Used Zassenhaus?

[espressoed]

I snagged a used Zassenhaus grinder on eBay and just got it yesterday. It's a vintage 156 knee mill, the kind with a separate adjustment knob mounted in front of the grinder shaft, not on it. It's in great shape externally and looks pretty good internally from what I can see, too. I've run some minute rice through it already and the ground rice came out nice and uniform and pretty clean. I want to give it a thorough cleaning nonetheless. I've looked through various forum threads on hand grinders and while many discuss various elements of cleaning these units, nowhere have I found a systemic approach outlined.

My main interest is in how to approach the process so that the grinder winds up as clean as possible both mechanically and cosmetically, and is mechanically optimized for best performance before reassembly. Other fundamental issues are: 1) How to remove the crank handle from the grinder shaft. It's (not the nut) screwed on there tightly and I don't want to damage it. 2) How to remove the metal top assembly from the grinder body given the adjustment knob that goes through the bean hopper.

Can anyone help? I'm in the dark here.

[roadman]

How to remove the crank handle from the grinder shaft. It's (not the nut) screwed on there tightly and I don't want to damage it.

I have the same question about my Zass 106. Seems like the crank should come off, but no dice.

Jon

[peacecup]

A photo would help. If the metal body is screwed into the wood the whole grinder mechanism should come off at once, and the wood can be cleaned. Then you need to get the handle off to take the burrs apart.

In order to get the handle off on some of mine I've tightened the grinder adjustment as far as it will go. You'll need to be careful not to damage the burrs. If its still too tight you'll need to apply some kind of penetrating oil and wait I guess, unless there is some way to attach a visegrips to the shaft without damaging it.

PC

[espressoed]

The only photo I can supply is the out-of-focus one from the eBay auction, but that should address your request nonetheless.



The metal body is screwed to the wood. I'm going to try taking the whole thing off later today. The wood needs no cleaning whatsoever externally; it's in great shape. I'm not a mechanical thinker, and hadn't even thought of using some oil on the handle/grinder shaft connection. Doh! See, that's why I need to come to the forum for this. Thanks.

[espressoheadyvr]

what is a good model of Zassenhaus to get - i have a simonelli oscar...can they all the hand cranked ones do a decent job for espresso or it just a collectable?

on ebay there are many models..like the 106 or the "mokkka" etc...which is good?

thanks

[peacecup]

Espressoed - take the grinder body off the wood, and the rest should be obvious. The handle will probably unscrew if you tighten the burrs all the way, but be careful.

Espressoheadyvr - you should read the handjive and other threads - hand grinders can vary, and not all will do well with espresso. Feel free to PM with questions re: bidding on a specific grinder. I recently

PC