Price drop. Has original burrs with about 100kg through them. Replacements available here: {link} DRM-style burrs like the Versalab. Worlds better than my Rocky and I prefer it to the SD40. Moving on since I like to switch coffees often. Works best if you keep a couple doses in the hopper. Someone's...

Do you believe in love at first sight? {image} Back at a time when the bigger the grinder, the better the espresso, she broke the mold: {image} Yes, the Cimbali Max / Junior Hybrid. The same burr set as the Max in a slightly more kitchen-friendly, but less proportional stature: {image} Your beans fi...

Take a look at the parts diagrams for the two machines: Aurelia: {link} Appia: {link} The design of the boilers, HXs, and groups are very similar. It appears the biggest difference is in the groups, but they share many parts, including the thermosyphon restrictors. It would be interesting to compare...

Thanks for the replies everyone. Pu-Wen, thanks for posting your flush routine. I've been doing something similar, though not quite as long a rebound. I'll try it out. Shadowfax: Adjusting the pressure is not too hard. Take off the drip tray and 2 screws for the plate under it. The adjustment screw

The Elektra A3/T1 is a pretty popular machine here, so I figured I'd write up a little review on a comparable machine that isn't mentioned much here, the Nuova Simonelli Appia. {image} I recently bought the 1 group automatic version off CL. According to the previous owner, it was used for a few mont...

Thanks for the quick reply. I got the machine running yesterday and everything's functioning perfectly. Descaled the boiler (via connection for the vacuum breaker on top of boiler) and HX. Not much sediment came out. Previous owner had a filtration system. I think I got a gem; no scratches on the ma...

I just picked up a 1-2 year-old Nuova Simonelli Appia auto. Haven't used it yet, just took the outside panels off to inspect for damage. Nicely laid out, clearly designed to be easily serviced. The group needs a serious cleaning and there are some mouse bites on the group solenoid drain tube (was in...

We can use a single screw surrounding the shaft, like most grinders. This coupler can act as a differential screw in that situation: {link} It'll give a resolution of 1.02mm/turn (Mazzers have I think 1.5mm/turn). However with a single screw, we need a way to get the beans inside that coupler (a pip...

I appreciate the feedback. I agree that the design needed to be strengthened substantially. So, here's a new very-not-to-scale sketch. {image} Middle plate movable to adjust grind. The keys to this design are the orange differential screws based on a plumbing adapter, like this: {link} The adapter w...

Thanks for the replies. Here's another sketch without the screws: {image} So the screws may not be able to handle the pressure from the static burr. The referenced thread about the DIY hand grinder uses a single precision screw, but its lever may reduce the load on it. I agree it's tedious to use, but