Hi all,

just bought a lehnartz grinder from Ebay, seems to be in reasonable condition just going to need a decent clean and some TLC. Problem is, I can't get the handle off the central rod. I've unscrewed the nut on not but the handle is solidly attached.

I assumed that the nut would keep the handle on, and that there would be a squared off section of the rod onto which is would fit, but I can't move it enough to see if that's the case. I've given the rod a light tap or two with a hammer which did nothing and I'm reluctant to use more force than that until I know just how it goes together.

I can undo the burr holder and adjuster at the bottom but of course that doesn't help as the burr needs to come out from below which it can't do with the handle still attached.

Could anyone who's taken one of these apart in the past give me a clue as to how it should come apart please.

Many thanks,

Justin.

Hello and welcome: =-)

mr_magicfingers wrote:... can't get the handle off the central rod. I've unscrewed the nut ... ... the handle is solidly attached.
... nut would keep the handle on, and that there would be a squared off section of the rod ...

Without a photo it is rather difficult to get an idea of how things are, but if my little Peugeot and the KyM I'm working on these days are anything to go by, you'll find that there's no squared off section of the rod but that the handle will come off just like the nut did: by unscrewing it.

I had the same problem with the KyM, but some WD -and- patience helped me unscrew the handle. The nut is just to keep it from unscrewing.

Maybe someone else has something to say.

Best regards,

CIV

Thanks for the reply, I wonder how you unscrew the handle without locking the burrs, otherwise it just spins freely. I'll add a couple of photos of the grinder below.

I took the adjustment piece off and cleaned that up, ran a handful of rice through it but otherwise this is how it came in the post this morning. Cost me £10 plus postage which I thought reasonable. The drawer is fingerjointed wood, looks like the metalwork is going to need quite a bit of polishing though.

J.

Hello again:

mr_magicfingers wrote:Thanks for the reply, I wonder how you unscrew the handle without locking the burrs ...

You're welcome. =-)

Do have a look at this link from orphanespresso:

http://www.orphanespresso.com/index.php ... chapter=37

It's an excellent generic step-by-step explanation on what to do with a vintage grinder which needs refurbishing.

Of course, you'll need to use your judgement and adapt the instructions to your particular brand and model grinder.

From the photos you've posted, it would seem to me that the instructions kindly published by Doug at OE are exactly what you need to get your grinder back into tip-top shape with just some time and effort. If it's a good quality grinder and the burrs are in good shape, you'll be grinding away in no timer at all.

Best regards,

CIV

Thank you so much for that, I'd googled for something similar but hadn't come up with anything. I've spent the past couple of hours cleaning the outside up, I think it was a smoking household and the kitchen grease plus nicotine made for quite the colour change when it was cleaned off.

Now I can get on with the internals and polishing up the metal. I'll put some pics in the grinder thread when I'm finished.

Many thanks again,

Justin.

Don't get to agressive on polishing the burrs. Polishing the outside is fine, but let working parts be. They are as good as they need to be, and you could effect them to the worse if you get to agressive with cleaning them. At best they would need to reseat, and at worst they would never grind the same.

-Cecil

I suppose you'll need to soak the connection with some rust remover (wd40) or at least vegetable oil. I've removed some by tightening the burrs all the way, but this could damage them if its rusted shut. A well-placed vice grips will do it, but probably also damage the axle, which would need to be sanded.

I THINK the screw is reversed, so the handle does not loosen when grinding, but I can't remember for sure.

I also agree not to mess with the cutting edges of the burrs - they'll polish up fine with espresso beans.

PC