How To Make Your Own Naked Portafilter - Page 2

[arossphoto]

I plugged the PF hole with a tapered dowel rod (tapered like a cork so it got tighter with pressure). That gave the centering bit something to bite into and stay centered.

Great advice! Did you use a drill press or just hand held?

Thanks.

[Fr. John]

Drill press. You can see the rudimentary jig I used in the photo I posted. It's basically two screws in a block of wood positioned to catch the flanges on the PF making it immobile.

[CoffeeBeau]

Thanks to Fr. John and the rest of the HB posters. I used a hole saw and drill press, then finished it off with a dremmel. Total elapsed time was about 20 minutes. Now I have to give it a go!

Bob

[Fr. John]

Beautiful. Just think how much you saved!

[CoffeeBeau]

Yes, I saved about $50, plus I do not have a 3rd portafilter to clutter my espresso area up. Thanks again.

Bob

[HB]

While cruising the net, I ran across the article How to make a Naked Portafilter for your espresso machine. Great instructions and photos, if you happen to have a metal lathe.

[CoffeeBeau]

Wow, intense. A drill press and a hole saw does the trick, but not nearly as fun as turning the PF on a lathe.

Bob

[HB]

Yet another bottomless portafilter how-to using a standard door set 2-3/8" hole saw with nice photos.

[Kristi]

Back with Silvia I just drilled it out with a 2 3/8 hole saw - rough but effective.

After that I bought them - one from 1st-line, and next from Chris'

[DigMe]

Yet another bottomless portafilter how-to using a standard door set 2-3/8" hole saw with nice photos.

Actually it wasn't a door-set hole-saw...or it wasn't noted as such on the packaging at least. I just mentioned a door for whatever reason. I only mention this because I think a lot of the door-set hole-saws are intended for use on wood and the one I bought was marked as being fine for use on metal as well.

bc

[DigMe]

I feel cutting from the top down on the inside is easier and less likely to mar the PF than turning it over and cutting from the bottom up. The PF naturally holds the hole-saw in there where it can't get away from you and any marring that might occur would be hidden on the inside of the PF. The method I'm talking about is easy using a bench vise. See HB's link above to my instructions with pics which I posted on another board.

bc

[DigMe]

What size hole-saw did you use? I was looking at some at the hardware store today and some had a mandrel (a bit in the center to guide the saw) and some did not. My first thought was the mandrel would be important to keep the saw centered, but then I wondered if it would get in the way as the saw went deeper. Did you use a drill press or just hand-held?

Cheers,

Andrew

I know this was an old post but I wanted to clarify that the mandrel is NOT the bit that comes up from the middle of the hole saw. That is called a pilot bit. The mandrel is the shaft that the hole saw attaches to that keeps it attached to the drill. If you buy a hole saw that comes without a mandrel then you will need to buy one separately. The cheapest way will be to buy a mandrel/hole saw combo that come together.

bc

[Bigfella]

I just "modified" by La Pavoni Old Group portafilter and made it naked, in the never ending search for the perfect shot. Well I must have made a fubar because now the machine squirts espresso all over the kitchen - my wife is VERY happy about this - or it runs down the handle onto my wrist. Can someone help?? happy to post a picture of my efforts.

Its either make it work or £50 for a new one!

[ppopp]

When I modified my SL-70 portafilter to go bottomless, I had trouble at first with the espresso running down the handle. Turns out that the clearance between the basket and the edge of the hole wasn't big enough, and the espresso was catching on the edge of the hole and running down the handle. I described it here:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/...so/machines/286238

I fixed the problem by increasing the clearance (essentially making the hole bigger), and it gave the espresso more room to "crawl" to the center of the basket and then drop down.

[Bigfella]

Excellent! Another 30 mins filing and all is well, almost. I pulled a nice shot but I still get some leaking on the the handle but it drips into the drip tray so it's not too bad. I have removed more metal from the handle area - should I be brave and remove some more or have I gone too far already.....

[nixter]

I found a machine shop about 3 blocks from my house. They drilled out the bottom of my extra PF for $40. Works great!

n

[DigMe]

I found a machine shop about 3 blocks from my house. They drilled out the bottom of my extra PF for $40. Works great!

n

Wow...they charged you too much.

brad

[nixter]

In terms of convenience it was an absolute steal. It's not worth my time to do it myself (ok I don't have the tools) and I didn't have to send it anywhere and deal with shipping and handling or waiting for a package to arrive. dropped it off, ran some errands, picked it up. $40 dollars cash. No complaints.

n

[VS_DoubleShot]

i just noticed espressoparts is selling used portafilters made naked for $20 a pop

[Spresso_Bean]

i just noticed espressoparts is selling used portafilters made naked for $20 a pop

Just to add to this - the used portafilters are for E-61 type groups. Not a bad deal but it also states the condition may vary.