HB branded wares on the horizon?

[cannonfodder]

Mr. Dan, I remember seeing a post where you mentioned some HB-wares on the horizon. Any updates?

[HB]

Yes! Dave at espressoparts.com and I are working on the details, but it's a done deal. The other idea was prompted by a gift from Bob Roseman's wife Libby. She's as much into embroidery as I'm into espresso. The photo below is a closeup of a black apron with front pocket she made for me last year:



She got the idea from my (now retired) e-mail. I especially like it for those days that I'm wearing a light-colored shirt and don't want to risk a mishap. Adapting this idea to HB logoware would make really nice prizes too. We don't want members getting tired of the "same old" prize month after month, do we?

In addition to the aprons, I was thinking about bar towels (probably black). My wife gets pretty irritated with me using her kitchen towels and I loath paper towels. Some dedicated bar towels are long overdue.

Any other ideas are welcome and it's not necessary they be for-sale items. Part of the fun is the uniqueness of future prizes, so suggestions of reasonably priced "one off" items are welcome ($25-$75). Some of the tampers mentioned in recent threads caught my eye (oh no, I can hear it from my lovely bride, "Why do you need another tamper?").

[cannonfodder]

When my Mazzer arrived I got 'why do you need another grinder?'

How about a T-shirt or a portafilter/logo golf shirt that I can wear to work.

[HB]

Woohoo! Look what arrived in the mail from Reg Barber!


HB logoware samples

The one on the left has the solid aluminum handle with black powdercoat. The HB is engraved through the powdercoat and into the metal. The tamper on the right is the ever-popular Tall Bubinga with rosewood handle. The inlay is black delrin with laser-engraved HB. Both have a stainless steel base.

Very sweet looking! Watch this space for updates on availability directly from espressoparts.com.

[cannonfodder]

Looks good.

[Abe Carmeli]

Oh, so cool !

[srobinson]

Me Likey. Can they add LMWDP in small letters under that?

[HB]

Reg can work from most artwork and the engraving fee is very reasonable (link). I'm hoping to convince the good folks at espressoparts.com to setup a one-stop HB logoware ordering page. The tampers pictured above are the first samples and I expect the design will be tweaked a little over time. Once the "base" design is locked in (there are some limitations on how close the laser etching is to the edge that we're still working through), then adding adornments for stuff like contest awards or the LMDWP should be easy.

PS: With apologies in advance to Les at Thor Tampers, I think the black one would look really nice next to your Olympia Cremina.

[cannonfodder]

I would still like a golf shirt and bar towel.

[HB]

Thanks Dave for your interest, I haven't forgotten (and I would like one too ).

As you see from the photo of the apron above, Bob Roseman's wife is seriously into embroidery, but she's a hobbist, not a production shop. She has however offered me some follow-up suggestions. It may be as simple as me providing a downloadable TIFF or PSD file that you would give to one of those kiosks at the mall that do computerized embroidery for hats, towels, baby blankets... or in your case, a golf shirt and bar towel.

[cannonfodder]

Production embroidery is pretty easy. We have a lot of shirts made for special events here at work. The process is as you describe. The hard part is getting the graphic the way you want. Then you provide that to your local embroidery/production shop, they usually hit you with a $50-$75 one time set up fee (we use single color, multi color may be more), pick your destination product and away they go.

[HB]

Dave sent me this mockup photo of the final version. The only difference is the "HB" is larger than the sample with the rosewood handle (a minor miscommunication). With those details settled, Dave will go about creating a logoware page. I'll post an update when it's ready.



PS: Inspired by Tony's generous After the Hurricane pledge, Terry at EPNW, Steve Robinson, and I have pledged to donate $10 for each tamper sold in the first 30 days to the American Red Cross Katrina Relief Fund. Thanks gentlemen!

[HB]

Look what Dave is dangling before my eyes now... a truly custom HB tamper. This could be interesting.

[Kelpburger]

Very cool!

I think you know which one I like. last one with bulb shape. What kind of material are you planning on making the handles out of?

[OlywaDave]

Well since we are all kind of on the same page with the aluminum handle on a stainless steel base, that's what I was thinking. Dan seems to like the powder coat so aluminum with black powder coat seemed logical. Black Delrin would be another nice option I'd think. But then the logo would have to be laser etched like we do for Rancilio.

[JonR10]

Hey guys...

Since I've been getting "into" tampers lately, would it be possible to get one of these with the aluminum handle/black powdercoated with the metallic logo? Any of the handle shapes would be fine with me (but if I got to choose it would be the top right from the custom shapes - the "smoothed-out lightbulb"). It would be even sweeter if it could have a copper base...

[OlywaDave]

Yeah looking at them again I think that one is my favorite too. However Dan's fine selection of the rounded handle on the bottom was sent to our machinists yesterday afternoon. The same handle in wood should be available shortly too. As for the other design... well I wouldn't be surprised to see that in the near future too we have a few designs in queue. We selected a couple designs for HB from my pool that matched Dan's specs and I even altered as little to arrive at Dan's final decision. After using it we may even need an alteration or two, no one will no for sure till it hits enough hands I guess.

Powder coat on an aluminum handle is happening on one version of the HB tamper, with laser etched HB logo topside.
The other will be wood as I mentioned and no wood type selection has been made to my knowledge.

Thats all the news that's fit to print... It's getting close I can say.

[HB]

Something for the HB members to comment on. Below is the prototype that Dave mentioned:



The initial plan is to laser-etch the logo, but Dave mentioned the benefits of a gelcap (soft squishy top) for those who like to tap with the end of the tamper. It compromises the "look" somewhat, but is practical. Yet another option is a black delrin disk (same as the wood tamper), which can endure some abuse too.

Which would you prefer (engrave, gelcap, or delrin disk)?

[Teme]

Which would you prefer (engrave, gelcap, or delrin disk)?

Engrave. It looks better and personally I do not use the top of the tamper handle for tapping. If I tap, I do a light tap with the side of the piston. This brings me to the next point - will the piston be easily exchangeable? Will one be able to purchase (custom sized/replacement) pistons separately?

Br,
Teme

[framey]

I assume it is the gelcap that adorns the Espro, and I've always been worried about durability. Is there evidence of long term survival rates for the gelcap style?

I've got the delrin cap with the ProTamp (espressoparts) and it has been really good.

I've got a Reg Barber powdercoated tamper and I'm afraid to tap with the end of the handle, but it is my favourite tamper atm.

I like the aesthetic of the etched powdercoat, but it might necessitate a change in your tamp tap tamp routine.

Dan I think you'll need to set up some sort of robotic durability test