Hey Guys,

there is this site:

http://aspexcorp.com/resources/send_sample.html

They are willing to take a scan EM of any sample that you send them.

To REALLY compare grind from different grinders maybe we could send in a bunch of different samples from different grinders and post the results here?

I guess we'd need to use the same coffee too

+1 - Scanning EM samples are as completely dehydrated as possible and under tight vacuum. That's not IMHO the best way to view grinds as they exist coming out of the grinder or after being hit by 200* water.

The laser diffractometer and even a simple dissecting microscope and camera with size standards/controls is a method that better preserves the coffee as it is used to make a drink.

I'm still in the market for someone who will do laser sizing on sixteen to twenty four samples gratis or for a reasonable fee.

I was thinking of comparing a low dose SO coffee, a high dose espresso blend, each ground single dose popcorn style and from a full hopper, from a Trespade burr grinder, the Mini, Rocky and/or Vario, the Jolly and/or Major, and a Titan conical, all set to produce the same shot dynamics. At a minimum, a high quality small and large flat burr, and a small and large conical grinder should be included.

I believe a sample set useful for useful for comparisons has to be collected at the same time, using the same test machine (any machine will do), so that each grinder is known to have produced identically pouring grind samples.

This test would answer several of the questions left over from the TGP, and give us the data for a whole new round of speculation. In particular, the difference between coarser and finer grind settings, popcorning versus full hoppers, and the profile differences of the community's favorite grinders.

I'll collect the samples and pay the freight, who's going to step up on the laser sizer?

Now that sounds like a good scientific game plan. Analysis of random samples are about as useful 2 left-foot boots.