Mark,
I got the K30 hopper from Mahlkonig USA,Inc. The Hopper without top and cutoff slide was $45. plus shipping.
It was one they had "around" so they threw in the top for free. Very professional folks to work with, I highly recommend using them. My set up is a work in progress but you can see if the hopper appeals to you.
I'm glad to hear that your Nino is glitch free. I have a couple of issues to work through but I'm confident they will get resolved. I'm really hoping to find a simple reason for the grinds backing up in the chute. Perhaps I have a chute that has something wrong with it I'm just not seeing. I removed the shell today to have a closer look at the chute assembly and did find 2 piles if grinds atop the motor directly below the chute. The chute either leaks or I didn't get it inserted all the way the last time I removed it. fortunately, perhaps the fan offers a little protection to the motor in blowing the errant grinds out the top. My chute turned out to be the newer style and you can see that it is hand made which is nice. I also found evidence of a pinched wire which may have been the reason for the problem I had earlier with trying to reset the grind duration. I have a bunch of pix I will post as time permits.

Tom

Whoa, that's one crazy bean hopper solution! I looked into getting the Ditting 805 hopper (which I believe Mahlkönig also carries, seeing as their Tanzania is the same as 805) but all the resellers wanted crazy amounts of money and neither Ditting nor Mahlkönig would sell directly to me.

Your grind adjustment wheel looks different to mine, did it come that way from the factory? Looks a bit like shiny metal? Mine is cheap plastic and not very comfortable at all to adjust. Rubber coating would've felt much nicer I think...

Hi Magnus,
I wasted a lot of time trying to dream up an attractive solution to the "espresso for the masses" size hopper that comes with the Nino. The K30 hopper was just too easy, I was originally going to cut down. Now my wife thinks she has found a solution to putting plants on shelves! What have I done.

The little plastic grind adjusting knob came with mine too. Due to the chrome flaking problem on the internal threads of the upper burr mount, mine was so hard to adjust that I had to use a leather glove to turn the plastic knob. After removing the chrome flakes and lubing the threads it turned a lot easier but I still disliked that knob so I replaced it with a brass and chrome knob from a retail store. I had to drill it for the 6mm shaft and tap the new knob for the set screw. The new knob was $12 US.

Tom

Could the electronics issues that Tom described have anything to do with the transformer and lack of a hard-wired 220V line?

I guess I should be asking: how many U.S.A. people here run the Nino using a 110v/220v step-up transformer and have no problems?

This is an important question, as I imagine many Americans who might consider the Nino would be discouraged if they found out that it has problems when used with a transformer.

These are some shots I took today to look for any problems with the wiring and the grinds chute assembly. It proved a worthwhile effort as I did find and repair a previously pinched wire leading to the switch. Also I found 2 small piles of grinds standing on top of the motor, directly under the chute. The question now is wether this resulted from my not inserting the chute tightly or if the fit of the chute is inadequate at the top joint. It appears the fan at the also helps blow any errant grinds out the rear of the grinder.
I need to find a solution to the problem of the grinds hanging up in the chute. To my eyes everything generally looks like it should be working properly. Perhaps another set of eyes will see whatever I'm missing.
Some of the pix are just to give anyone who curious a look around under the hood.
I welcome any comments.

tom

That pinched wire could certainly cause any number of electrical issues.

I know the dimensions of the average 1500 watt step-up transformer, but that photo certainly puts into perspective just how huge it is compared to the grinder and machine. Is it getting enough ventilation there?

I wonder if the removeable chute is retrofittable?

EDIT

I have just had a look at the pics that Nicholas had posted earlier in the thread and compared them to the ones that Henry posted above, and to me it looks like a straight swap out.

I wonder what the cost would be?

Regards
Eric

Eric - considering I've *never* had a problem with my chute and he's having problems with his, I don't think I'll swap mine out. That, and I'm not really sure what having the detachable chute really gets you. Maybe taking the grinder apart is a bit easier, but I'm still not convinced I'd need the upgrade.

That being said, the chute is pretty impressively machined. Very cool looking part!

As far as the grinds getting hung up, I'd imagine that where the removable chute touches the outlet of the grinding chamber is where grounds are getting hung up. I'm betting there is a ledge there and it slows the grounds down as they eject, causing the hang up.

Bob_McBob wrote:That pinched wire could certainly cause any number of electrical issues.

I know the dimensions of the average 1500 watt step-up transformer, but that photo certainly puts into perspective just how huge it is compared to the grinder and machine. Is it getting enough ventilation there?

Chris,
That transformer is actually a 1300 watt version. In my application it doesn't even get warm. I ran 8 Lb. of beans thru the Nino when it first arrived it, then the transformer was warm to the touch but not hot.

My concerns with this transformer aren't heat related but build quality, and possibly the flux field it produces.

To deal with the very sloppy internal construction, i have it on a separate switchable power strip. The second concern is maybe nothing but I wonder if there is any connection between the flux field this transformer and the problem with the grinds backing up in the grinders chute.

Tom

networkcrasher wrote:Eric - considering I've *never* had a problem with my chute and he's having problems with his, I don't think I'll swap mine out. That, and I'm not really sure what having the detachable chute really gets you. Maybe taking the grinder apart is a bit easier, but still convinced I'd need the upgrade.

That being said, the chute is pretty impressively machined. Very cool looking part!

As far as the grinds getting hung up, I'd imagine that where the removable chute touches the outlet of the grinding chamber is where grounds are getting hung up. I'm betting there is a ledge there and it slows the grounds down as they eject, causing the hang up.

Mark,
I agree with your comments regarding the chute design. Also if it ain't broke, don't fix it applies here I think. (if I could only follow my own advise sometimes) The removable chute is clearly hand made which is nice but mine is so- so in craftsmanship. The removable top sleeve of mine is undersized and the builder flared out the sides beyond the 90 degree bend to make it fit. I may see if I can get another one. I did look for edge stopping the grinds and found a tiny one which I stoned even but it had no effect on the problem. Eventually I figure out the problem. I do like the design a lot, so it's worth the effort.

tom