peacecup wrote:Greg,

That's a nice collection! The DeVe really cleaned up beautifully - have you tried it? The one I sent to KS was capable of a very fine grind.

PC

Greg,

I hope your DeVe works as well as the one I have. PC is right. It grinds very fine / too fine and does so in uniform grinding.

Tonight I had more to inspect. The first two shots of the Brazil Organic Fazenda Jacaranda were cloes to as good SO Brazil's as I have ever had. The weight was not simply weight but also distinct taste -- balanced great intensity like a Pauillac. These were Fiorenato ground. The third was a DeVe grind . While it was still wonderful I was disappointed. Something was off. The first two were so good I decided to have a fourth (my usual limit is 3). As I started to pull it the thought suddenly hot me. "Has the Elektra overheated?" In the cup it was clear that #'s 3 & 4 were both slightly overheated by the Elektra, progressively so. They tasted just a bit like like burnt syrup. The last was a Fiorenzato grind.

Tomorrow I will cool it down after # 2.

KS

PC got me interested in hand grinders a few months ago by selling me a couple of his. Since then I've bought a couple more on Ebay and picked up another at an antique shop in Fredericksburg, Texas. This Zassenhaus is rather unusual in the location of the drawer and the grind adjustment on the top. It grinds very fine and except for the extra effort required is every bit the equal of my Nuova Simonelli.
The last photo shows the linkage from the adjusting knob.

Nice variation ...Fredricksburg- what a nice place- does it still have the outdoor museum dedicated to Admiral Nimitz?

Also a nice Avatar!

mogogear wrote:Nice variation ...Fredricksburg- what a nice place- does it still have the outdoor museum dedicated to Admiral Nimitz?

Hi Greg,
It does! But, it's also where I found the "mesquite-smoked" coffee. Guess you have to take the good with the bad.

Bill,

Thanks for sharing that Zassenhaus. Its really a beaut. I love the carved and figured wood on that side shot. I think most of these old grinders are beech, and some have that lovely figuring. I'm glad to hear it works well. I've got an old Zass on the restoration block now, but it will never look as nice as that one.

How does that old Dienes compare as far as grind quality goes? I have to confess I've learned a lot even in the short time since I mailed her to you. Mostly due to reading the Titan thread, and hearing from a lot of folks on this thread.


PC

peacecup wrote:Greg,

That's a nice collection! The DeVe really cleaned up beautifully - have you tried it? The one I sent to KS was capable of a very fine grind.

PC

Well I tried the De Ve today and was disappointed At it's finest it was a coarse grind... but she looks nice though!-

Now on the other hand I tried the new Pe De and she emulated the grind of my Nuova Simonelli with ease. Albeit at the end of here adjustment range- Syrupy and balanced with bright acidity from a excellent shot of Stumptown Hair Bender blend..... quite nice indeed. Not too much on that here - I will save for the Tight-Hand Grinder thread ........

peacecup wrote:How does that old Dienes compare as far as grind quality goes? I have to confess I've learned a lot even in the short time since I mailed her to you. Mostly due to reading the Titan thread, and hearing from a lot of folks on this thread.PC

Jack,
The Dienes grinds as fine as the Zass. The only difference to prefer one over the other is that the Zass is harder to adjust (the knob is hard to turn but probably just needs a little PM - I haven't taken it apart yet). I was disappointed in the Trosser as it won't grind fine enough for espresso. From what I've read on this thread this isn't normal so it probably is just worn. One of these days I'll take it apart and see if I can repair it.

In putting together my travelling espresso package I picked up a series of hand grinders looking for the best, most efficent unit. In my humble and limited experience, the the newer Zassenhaus 151s have served me best. I have two and the brass one works slightly better than the chrome. I can grind a full double basket for my La Pavoni Europiccola in 65 to 75 revolutions. I like the knurled adjustment nut at the top (I have to mark it and keep and eye on mine, or the adjustment can wander). I find that every 1/16 of a turn can make seconds of pull time. When I'm spot on grind, I still have a half turn to choke and beyond.
So I'm looking forward to Mogogear's Tight-Hand Grinder thread.

One's for everyday use, the other travels to Rescue when I'm going to be there for unforseen hours. Nothing fancy, but the grind is perfect!



Trisha

Trisha,
Here's a grinder similar to yours that I picked up in an antique shop a couple weeks ago. Haven't tried it out yet.

I finally got all 3 Handgrinders from ebay and with it the full spectrum of possibilities

1) a Pede 560 (or 540, not very clear) that seems perfect
2) a Pede 543 that is broken
3) a classic old Turkish that works great for fine but has some problems with consistency at the grade i would need (no pic)




1) The Pede 560 has a good built quality, is easy and accurate to adjust, and provides consistent grind withing the tested range. I modded the drawer sides so that the basket fits in- but still need carve out a little because it still sits too high to take up all the grind







2) The Pede 543 was my big hope but turned out as dissapointment. It was sold as fully intact but the setting loosens within the first turn. The result is a grain the size of a half rice corn.
I took off the bottom to see if there was something to do about it and by looking at the construction of the adjustment mechanism i wonder how any of these models could ever work. I consider the mill as broken but the seller still refuses to take it back.

I wanted to ask Greg and other members that have similar "Backscrew" Pede models about their experience.

ogatasan wrote:<image>

2) The Pede 543 was my big hope but turned out as dissapointment. It was sold as fully intact but the setting loosens within the first turn. The result is a grain the size of a half rice corn.

I just picked up this 435:

and could use any advice as well. It was sold as 'looks like it probably would work, needs some cleaning', so I'm figuring on talking it apart and refurbishing it as much as I can.

Well, I've been away for too long. Lots of great looking grinders have been posted. Most, but not all, seem to work for espresso. The back-adjusted Dienes should work - it must be either broken or very worn. You could start by comparing the condition of the burrs to the one that works.

RE: the 435, I have one like it, and it works well. Mine has a lose upper-axle connection that allows it to move slightly while grinding, but it does not seem to effect the grind much. It is very compact. It should come apart easily for cleaning, and you can put a drop of oil on the ball bearing. You may want to mark the burrs so you can align them in the same place when you reassemble it.

I've seen those like Trisha's and Bill's for a while, and often wondered how they worked. It sounds like some at least are suitable for espresso.

Lastly, that is quite a collection that Latte Jed has! We'll look forward to hearing more about any of the individual grinders as time allows.

Cheers,

PC

peacecup wrote:Most, but not all, seem to work for espresso. The back-adjusted Dienes should work - it must be either broken or very worn. You could start by comparing the condition of the burrs to the one that works.

I was bidding on it because it reads Mokka and that should be capable of grinding fine enough.
The grinder looks like it has been used, but the Burrs are in good condition. Only, the screw and setting mechanism are not staying in place, the grind is not adjustable. I could only force it to a very fine position but it would not stay there. After one revolution the inner burr moves 1-2mm down.

ogatasan wrote:I was bidding on it because it reads Mokka and that should be capable of grinding fine enough.
The grinder looks like it has been used, but the Burrs are in good condition. Only, the screw and setting mechanism are not staying in place, the grind is not adjustable. I could only force it to a very fine position but it would not stay there. After one revolution the inner burr moves 1-2mm down.

I overhauled mine( just like yours with the back mount adjustment)

To take it apart I first removed the adjustment knob. Then the top cover and crank.

The adjustment mechanism can be installed upside down. It had a wedge shaped blade that has a flat aide and a inclined side. Like a boning knife laid down - with the sharp edge facing straight up is the correct installation to look for.

As the knob is screwed in or out the inclined edge is either pushed IN-forcing the bearing on the end of the lower burr to travel upward- finer.

If the knob is screwed opposite - the inclined edge retracts from the bearing and burr- it then lowers and hence a coarser grind.

You might make sure the blade is installed correctly. You might also check the condition of the upper edge of the adjustment blade. It could have a worn surface or the bearing may not be in good shape or similar. Lube and see what happens.

It took all the adjustment to get mine to grind just right - but it will do the job on the Cremina

mogogear wrote:I overhauled mine( just like yours with the back mount adjustment)
....
It took all the adjustment to get mine to grind just right - but it will do the job on the Cremina

Greg,
can you adjust your grinder or is it set for one position - by taking a look at the back mount adjustment mechanism, I doubt that its construction is reliable.

I appreciate your tips but will not take it apart because I am still negotiating with the seller, and a member here showed his interest to buy it from me.

Hey- nice Coool new avatar!

I can adjust the grind - but the grind thast the Cremina likes is at the finest end of the adjustment. finding them that work for you in the machine and appeal to the eye is a chase that Peacecup, Prof, Fullsack and Latte Jed will attest to ... it is a search. But most of this whole site is about the "search"

Good luck trading !

Ha, ha, I totally forgot to bid on that one. At least I didn't drive the price up for you!

Psyd wrote:I just picked up this 435:
<image>
and could use any advice as well. It was sold as 'looks like it probably would work, needs some cleaning', so I'm figuring on talking it apart and refurbishing it as much as I can.

Bushrod wrote:Ha, ha, I totally forgot to bid on that one. At least I didn't drive the price up for you!

Thanks! I did get it, and just cleaned it up and haven't tried making any espresso from the test grounds yet. It seems that the lil ding in the cover may be more of a problem than it initially appeared. It seems as if there is no mechanism to keep the burrs from one another, only an adjustment to push them toward one another, so that at the end of the grind (when empty) the two burr faces come into contact with one another a bit. And they don't do it all 360 degrees, either, but only at the point where the handle is at perihelion, when I'm putting most pressure on it. Sorta seems off-center a bit.
Anyone have any experience or hints at 're-aligning' the upper shaft?

Psyd wrote:Anyone have any experience or hints at 're-aligning' the upper shaft?

There is a prayer candle you can buy..... it comes with a hammer though