DavidMLewis wrote:The slip seems to happen for a split second every few days and only with very lightly-roasted beans, so it's almost more a curiosity than anything else, just a slightly startling noise.

Hmmm....a startling noise from belt slippage due to grinding (normal) lighter-roasted beans??

The Versalab currently retails for $1700
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0354278613

* For roughly the same money I purchased a used Mazzer Robur.
* A new Macap M7K (practically identical burrs to the Robur) is under $1200
* We see new in box Mazzer Major grinders on ebay for less than half the cost (under $1k new).
* The Compak K10 WBC grinder retails around $1400
* The LaCimbali Max Hybrid is about $900 new and has a similar combined burrset
(And this one is currently on sale for around $760)


None of the above grinders ever has trouble with slippage or startling noises due to the apparent inability to consistently and smoothly process beans that never saw second crack. The versalab grinder brings to mind an old saying made popular by Mr. P.T. Barnum....

So while I'm sure the versalab has superior grind quality, perfect distribution in the basket, and a very small footprint...I can't help but feel that for the price point the build quality is lacking.

Come on, guys, this is not a moral issue. For my use, the trade-offs of having a slightly quirky machine from a one-off kind of manufacturer that takes a little extra maintenance are worth the advantages in terms of footprint, grind quality, and ease of cleanly switching coffees and brew methods. You might choose to make the same trade-offs a different way. Neither of us is wrong or necessarily foolish.

Best,
David

JonR10 wrote:None of the above grinders ever has trouble with slippage or startling noises due to the apparent inability to consistently and smoothly process beans that never saw second crack. The versalab grinder brings to mind an old saying made popular by Mr. P.T. Barnum....

My Macap MK-7 makes quite startling noises on startup. This is a widely reported "feature" of the machine.

And if paying too much for coffee equipment is a crime, then who on this site is innocent? The hand grinder pan roasters?

I used to lust after a Robur, but after a year of perfect distribution with no waste from a small machine, I wonder why there is so much Versalab hate on this site.

Confused,
Matt

mgrayson wrote:My Macap MK-7 makes quite startling noises on startup. This is a widely reported "feature" of the machine.

My comment was about noise due to "an apparent inability to consistently and smoothly process beans". To me it's a very different situation. Yes, the Macap M7K growls when it starts up, but in the year I had mine it never once stalled or showed any sort of alignment or runout problem, and I didn't even have to wait 6 months after I paid before the company shipped it.

mgrayson wrote:And if paying too much for coffee equipment is a crime, then who on this site is innocent?

Interesting attempt to avoid my point...and as a Robur & Mahlkoenig owner I could never be accused of being frugal about coffee equipment.

Of course my point was that other grinders in that price range generally seem remarkably robust. It's rare to hear of any runout or slippage issues with the other top end grinders.

I will admit to having extreme bias for more robust equipment. Most of my career has been about designing machinery and control systems with lifespan to exceed 20 years. It seems to me that (for example) the Mazzer grinders are made with this sort of philosophy. Of course YMMV

I have one on order to complement my GS/3 Paddle and Mahlkönig K30 Vario. I'm positive it will work out perfectly. The main reasons I'm getting one is that I like the grind quality and being able to switch beans between each cup.

I usually have a few different SOs going and the Versalab just seems perfect for this. I think I will hang on to the Mahlkönig for my bulk coffee, but I guess we will see how it works out.

mgrayson wrote:And if paying too much for coffee equipment is a crime, then who on this site is innocent? The hand grinder pan roasters?
... I wonder why there is so much Versalab hate on this site.

I don't know about coffee equipment, but I pay a lot for my coffee, and I spend a lot of time roasting and tasting it. Like the time I paid $40 for 1/2 a pound of green Esmeralda in 2006, roasted it very carefully, and set up for a comparative cupping with some Yrgs for about 10 guests, each of whom also took valuable time out. A little bit of belt slip later, a little bit of grind adjustment slip later, and the coffee tastes like crap.

I review coffees. A grinder that distributes prettily is a luxury, but a grinder that can be trusted, and that grinds each compared cup or shot the same, is a necessity. The M3 cannot be trusted to do these very basic things.

People should be clear: it is not a commercial grinder, it is not a lab grinder, it is a very lovely grinder for dilettantes.

I resemble that!

another_jim wrote:People should be clear: it is not a commercial grinder, it is not a lab grinder, it is a very lovely grinder for dilettantes.

Ouch!

Dilettante - dabbler: an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge.

Is there no room between professional who requires bulletproof repeatability and ignorant pretentious poseur.

Jim, I'm sorry the M3 ruined your party.

Matt

Let it go