Modifying KitchenAid Proline to hold mazzer mini burrs

[RegulatorJohnson]

KAProline burrs and mazzer burrs are exactly the same. well not exactly. but the dimensions are the same. but one is 2-hole and the other is 3-hole pattern.



KA top mazzer bottom. noticed smaller size of the side holes on the mazzer.



top view. KA burr... dont cut yourself.



side by side.

now that the KA is collecting dust, i have the notion to get some mazzer burrs and put them in the KAProline. it looks like the hole in the burrs in the same distance from the center. i could have lined it up for the pic but i was lazy. i noticed it after i took the pics. all i need to do is drill 2 holes in the burr carrier and two holes in the body of the KA. it seems like it would be fine. now i just need to get some mazzer burrs. i promise to not use the ones from the mini.

muahahahahahaaaaa!

rj

[RAS]

Geez, I couldn't believe someone would actually put the KA burrs in a Mazzer! But the opposite sure is intriguing. My only concern is the alignment of the KA burr assembly - does it justify such an upgrade. And, because of the burr-assembly, and it's apparent lack of alignment between the fixed and rotating burrs, would better burrs make a difference? Heck, it would be great if my concerns were unjustified, and this mod could make a decent grinder great.

Please keep us posted.

[RegulatorJohnson]

Geez, I couldn't believe someone would actually put the KA burrs in a Mazzer! But the opposite sure is intriguing. My only concern is the alignment of the KA burr assembly - does it justify such an upgrade. And, because of the burr-assembly, and it's apparent lack of alignment between the fixed and rotating burrs, would better burrs make a difference? Heck, it would be great if my concerns were unjustified, and this mod could make a decent grinder great.

Please keep us posted.

well i have seen it discussed that the KA needs better burrs. i agree.

i had great success with espresso using my KA and stock burrs.

i was on ebay and found this: LA MINERVA adjustable retail COFFEE GRINDER commercial (looks extremely similar in design to the KA, no?)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300047556852&rd=1&rd=1

in one of the pics i saw some mazzer burrs.

this grinder looks a lot like the KA, with mazzer burrs? hrmmmm....then i researched the burr sizes and found that mini burrs match the KA proline burrs.

i think it could be worth it to have the fun to see what happens.

i think alignment should be easy because i can use one of the existing holes from the 2hole pattern to help align the other holes.

so this will leave me with a nice burr set and a grinder design with a straight path into the PF.

i dont think adding mazzer burrs will make it grind any worse than it does now.

plus its a fun project. wish i had more tools or a drill press.


jon

[RAS]

Sounds like a great project. One I may take on based on your results

Actually, I've been using a KA Proline for drip and vac-pot, and was really surprised at all the fines in the final cup of vac-pot coffee yesterday. I also noticed a few "boulders" in the spent grounds in the upper globe. Out of curiousity, I displantled the burr assembly, and was shocked at all the coffee captive in and around the burrs. My guess would be about five grams. Yummy! I really wish the gap around the burrs were smaller.

[jesawdy]

wish i had more tools or a drill press.

Jon-

Is the KA burr carrier aluminum or what? If you can drill a straight hole, tapping shouldn't be a big deal. Are you enlisting any help in the drilling and tapping?

[RegulatorJohnson]

Jon-

Is the KA burr carrier aluminum or what? If you can drill a straight hole, tapping shouldn't be a big deal. Are you enlisting any help in the drilling and tapping?

i can probably drill it fairly straight. i dont have a tap to tap the threads.

the burr carrier appears to be aluminum. probably easy to drill.


from coffeed

the stationary burr is on the body of the mchine itself. it looks like it will need to be fully taken apart to get at this area.


from coffeed also.

i need to enlist some help but im in utah not many around.

anyone coming out to SLC for some snow this season??

jon

[Skippy]

How did this work out?, did you give it a go?

[RegulatorJohnson]

i kind of lost the motivation.

i felt like i could ruin some perfectly good burrs working it out. i never ran across any used mazzer mini burrs. if those work, then i feel like investing in a new set would be worth it.

i didn't ever have access to proper tools. until recently when i got a new client that owns a machine shop.

i had a couple of people email me about it directly. but i haven't heard anything back.

looks like the store i bought it from changed the return policy so i may just hack this thing after all.

anyone have any spare mazzer mini burrs to donate to "science"?

if you do this please let me know how it works out.
jon

[Skippy]

I'm very tempted, rather someone else did it first tho lol.

[Spresso_Bean]

Maybe someone either has or will shortly be changing their Mini burrs and could donate them instead of tossing them. Could you use some sort of epoxy (welds?) or other potentially reversible method of mounting the Mini burrs? Just a thought, but drilling and tapping is fairly easy with the right tools. Cool idea to use the Mini burrs if it works well.

[RegulatorJohnson]

i just drew a picture of something that may work.

when i get it cleaned up i may have a reversible solution.

jon

[Skippy]

Have you seen the new elektra grinder prototype? Its burrs are held on with rare earth magnets. suppose youd still need a pin or something to stop the burr rotating, but maybe less invasive if you could fit magnets into the existing screw holes?

Epoxy would leave a mess behind, unless you could dissolve it with some kind of solvent or acid youd have to grind the stuff out.

[RegulatorJohnson]

ok i got burrs today.

john at caffe d'bolla was kind enough to help me out. he also pulls a wonderful shot of espresso using beans he roasted in the shop.

anywho, i now have the burrs. i just need to figure out how to get them in there.

jon

[Skippy]

cool, could be history in the making!

[RegulatorJohnson]

drill 5 holes.
tap them.


total time to mod 26minutes.



i need to think of something to fill the empty hole in the other burr. i also think i need some screws with smaller heads.

it runs but i have not grinded beans yet. i have more pics.

i need to get back to work.

jon

[Skippy]

looks good, cant wait to hear how she grinds

[var6732]

Can you add a little more detail on the drill and tapping?
Did you have to remove the assembly (the burr on the opposite side of the auger) from the grinder body?

[RegulatorJohnson]

i will be working on a full photo essay on how to do this.

i can say that there is no need to take it apart more than to get to the burrs. you just need to unscrew the thumbscrews on the front to get the burr carrier out.

its so FN simple to do i am amazed i did it by myself. i did get one of the burrs off-center slightly. crooked hole, my fault.

if you can turn a screw driver and drill a hole straight, you can do this mod. $10 bucks for a tap and drill bit set & some screws.

i just need some time to mess with it.

jon

[jesawdy]

Should we start buying up KA Proline grinders now?

[Skippy]

The anticipation is killing me! Whats the grind like?