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Macap M4 Stepped - how many clicks? (are my burrs old?)

Postby andrewpetre on Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:42 pm

Currently working with an older used Macap M4 stepped grinder and Silvia setup.

I'm familiar with the cleaning and adjustment of the burr set, and I'm curious to know how many 'clicks' back from the point that the burrs touch would be a reasonable adjustment for daily use?

Beans, age, humidity... I understand that there are too many factors to give an answer like "Three. Always use three." More what I'm looking for is an average expected range.

I find that I have to run very very close to the zero point to get fine enough for 20+ second pulls, and I'm trying to determine whether the burrs might be wearing out or whether it's quite common to run that close to the bottom to keep Silvia happy.

For my 'close', I'm talking about 2 clicks of the stepper back from where the top will cause the bottom to move when the grinder is off. This ends up being less than one "number" on the collar. For a quality grinder and fresh locally roasted beans (3 days), this seems like not much adjustment left. Thanks for any info or links to articles I might have missed.

I did try to search 'Macap' and 'stepped' and found a few articles on determining the zero point, but not much about a typical adjustment range.
andrewpetre
 
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Postby sweaner on Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:45 pm

If you did not replace the burrs when you got the machine, do so ASAP. I found it was well worth the small investment.
Scott
LMWDP #248

Man does not live by coffee alone...we need beer too.
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Postby andrewpetre on Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:49 pm

Yeah -- just $35 at Chris. I guess it's better to spend a few bucks and know than fiddle around and guess. Good for resale value anyway. Thanks!
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