I switched to my single basket this morning. I had to dig around just to find it. That way I can pull more shots with less caffeine. I finished up that quarter pound that was in the grinder and cut through about half of that half pound I roasted Friday this morning. Even with singles, I think my head is going to explode. Mental note, don't drink two doubles and five singles in one morning...

David, there's something really creepy about those photos -W

Thanks for the pics, I think I get this whole tamper thing now ...

They should come in three parts:
a bubble top, with various sizes to fit the palm
a middle stem, various sizes to match finger length
a bottom piston, various sizes for baskets and curves du jour to match the current "science".

Then all you'd need is the "tamper tailor"

It's a wonder I can get any sort of shot at all with my antediluvian EPNW stainless

another_jim wrote:
It's a wonder I can get any sort of shot at all with my antediluvian EPNW stainless

WR wrote:David, there's something really creepy about those photos -W

Maybe I should change my screen name to 'Thing' and talk like Lurch. Those of you who have no idea who Thing and Lurch are, you're too young, maybe uncle Fester?

I did a little experimenting today. I took the LaForza handle and attached the Compressore convex base. The Compressore has a little more convex shape than the Reg I use at home but not as radical as the Bumper convex. Worked wonderful, perfect first try naked double this morning. I wonder if I found the best shaped piston for my machine?

On a side note, I brought the Pullman to work to use with my Isomac. The piston does not fit my LM double basket. It fits the LM double in the kit. I set the kit basket out to bring to work and took off and left it on the table so no Pullman shots today, again. Stupid LM basket tolerances, I think they need to revisit their quality control procedures...

another_jim wrote:Thanks for the pics, I think I get this whole tamper thing now ...

They should come in three parts:
a bubble top, with various sizes to fit the palm
a middle stem, various sizes to match finger length
a bottom piston, various sizes for baskets and curves du jour to match the current "science".

Then all you'd need is the "tamper tailor"

It's a wonder I can get any sort of shot at all with my antediluvian EPNW stainless

I normally would not be that picky about fit, but since this is the 'dream case of fancy hammers' I am being a little more meticulous about the hand to handle fit. Lets face it, if I am dropping $70-120 on a fifty cent peace of stainless and a 80 cent piece of wood, I want nothing less than perfection.

One thing I like about wood handles, I can chuck them in the lathe and turn them to fit, or have my dad turn a new one from scratch based on the original design. An African purple heart wood handle is pretty sharp, if you like a purple handle.

I can see a lot of sense to a "properly tailored" tamper for working baristas; it would prevent the fatigue and eventual tendon problems associated with tamping with the palm not aligned to the forearm. For a home barista, a tamper that is set up for this would be more comfortable, but not a necessity. Certainly, at $60 or more, one should expect a tamper that fits perfectly.

another_jim wrote:For a home barista, a tamper that is set up for this would be more comfortable, but not a necessity.

I don't know, one home barista's necessity is anothers luxury.

It would be difficult to justify the cost of many tampers based on utility alone. I have a soft spot for fine craftsmanship and good design, and I am willing to pay for it. Now that I have several tampers with different piston shapes -- not just "flat" and "convex" -- Dave's comment ("I wonder if I found the best shaped piston for my machine?") really rung true with me. I tend to gravitate towards a favorite piston for a given machine, although without careful study (e.g., by machining several piston shapes for the Macap auto-tamper and testing them blind), it may be my appreciation of a tamper's craftmanship influencing my perception.

As a new owner of the gorgeous Elektra Semiautomatica, I'm sure you understand.

HB wrote:As a new owner of the gorgeous Elektra Semiautomatica, I'm sure you understand.

I sure do. But the reviews I've read so far have downplayed both aesthetics and shot quality; instead reviewers seem to be chosing their favorites based mostly on feel.