My new Moto-Zassenhaus!

[rfc]

Just got my Zassenhaus and did not realize how slow it was. Had to do something about it, so I turned it into a first generation Moto-Zassenhaus.

[HB]

Unique indeed, I wonder how long the burrs will last under the heavier usage / heat of being motor-driven.

[rfc]

Heat should not be an issue, as the unit currently turns only 60 rpm. An informal timing shows that a human can crank easily twice that speed. After 10 full minutes of operation at that speed, with the blades touching, they are still nearly dead cold.

Increasing the rotational speed should also speed up the grind time, so I will try this.

The unit, as built, contains an Oriental 2RK gearmotor (6 watt) with a gear reducer that turns the Zass at 60 rpm. The Oriental Motor series is very versatile and has more than a dozen gear reducer ratios. They also make speed control motors in the same size, which would give infinite control.

The "slot drive" consists of a double clamp collar with a hole drilled through it with a loose fitting 1/8" pin inserted through it.

The pin engages a 5/16" shaft that has been slotted to receive the pin. This allows the pin to be lifted to allow removal of the Zass.

The lower end of the shaft has a pin pressed through it to drive the aluminum rod which contains a 10 mm nut pressed into its lower end (not visible). That entire part could have been all steel, and the lower end tapped, but I did not have a 10 mm tap handy.

If anyone needs more detailed photos, holler. I'd be happy to oblige. The thing works very nicely, and with a little practice I know I will be able to eyeball a 14 gram load in the thing and let it run.

[cannonfodder]

I have often wondered why no one has thought of that before. I do something similar with a meat grinder. My father and I do a good bit of hunting and process most of our game ourselves. We have an old hand crank grinder; we hook the flywheel to an electric motor via a belt and let the motor do the work. Same principle but you used a direct drive.

Might I ask what the motor cost? Just wondering if the Zassenhaus+motor+parts were as expensive as an entry level burr grinder (MDF/Rocky).

[rfc]

They sell for about $50 to $60. I had the motor so I did not really consider the cost. This was strictly a "keep expenditures to a minimum" type of project, and at first I thought it would be really "stop gap" until Christmas or something. Now I am not so sure. Any number of inexpensive gear motors used in other products around the house might be used, though.

It does take a surprising amount of torque to grind however. I found that old, dry beans take more than fresh darker roasts. I think it is because the oils lubricate the grinder blades. A larger motor (depending on how large) might raise safety issues though. You can't quite stall this one out by grabbing the coupling.

One challenge I think I would have to overcome if/when I buy a "proper" grinder is that I will grind in one 1/2 hour period three or four different kinds of coffee. All the "big boys" I have seen have huge hoppers that, quite frankly, I don't see how I'd ever use, putting 15 grams of beans at a time.

With the Moto-Zass, I can nearly fill it, grind, empty the three or four beans left over and start fresh with another kind of coffee. Its size seems to suit my use so far.

[cannonfodder]

Imaginative fix to a problem. I like it, but I am a bit of a do it yourself guy as well.

As far as different beans in a grinder, with the Mazzer's, you can take the hopper off and dose a single grind session worth of beans into the mouth of the monster. A 58mm basket or tamper makes a nice lid to cover the hole while grinding. It is an awesome grinder, highly recommend it once the time comes to upgrade.

[Bubble_Boy]

They sell for about $50 to $60. I had the motor so I did not really consider the cost. This was strictly a "keep expenditures to a minimum" type of project, and at first I thought it would be really "stop gap" until Christmas or something. Now I am not so sure. Any number of inexpensive gear motors used in other products around the house might be used, though.

It does take a surprising amount of torque to grind however. I found that old, dry beans take more than fresh darker roasts. I think it is because the oils lubricate the grinder blades. A larger motor (depending on how large) might raise safety issues though. You can't quite stall this one out by grabbing the coupling.

One challenge I think I would have to overcome if/when I buy a "proper" grinder is that I will grind in one 1/2 hour period three or four different kinds of coffee. All the "big boys" I have seen have huge hoppers that, quite frankly, I don't see how I'd ever use, putting 15 grams of beans at a time.

With the Moto-Zass, I can nearly fill it, grind, empty the three or four beans left over and start fresh with another kind of coffee. Its size seems to suit my use so far.

I like the wood 'jig' you built to hold the motor and grinder.

can you post more photos from multiple angles ?

Craig

[rfc]

I'll shoot a few more photos tonight. The only two critical dimensions in the entire unit are the clearance between the Zass and the the sides (they are the "torque-preventers"), and the clearance between the back wall and the shaft centerpoint of the gearmotor--that must be dead on to prevent sideloading of the grinding mechanism.

[rfc]

The latest revision includes a proper switch, as well as a larger 15 watt (1/50th hp) Oriental Motor
(http://www.orientalmotor.co.jp/cg...wa/f2?srid=0&did=0)

turning 100 rpm.

The speed seems to be a fine balance between speed and lack of heat. The motor is thermally protected, but I have left the thing running more than once; the motor is only slightly warm to the touch after a half an hour of operation. Time to grind 14 grams: About 2 minutes (about as long as it takes me to flush the Mini Grimac, prepare the milk or whatever).

Some photos:




The thing will make dust if you want it to, but I run it with the thumb screw 3/4 of a turn ccw from full coarse for espresso and get a perfect double in 24-28 seconds.

I love this puppy.