Here is our success with a cordless drill and a 1/16 bit.

http://img683.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img5104e.jpg

oldworld_luke wrote:Here is our success with a cordless drill and a 1/16 bit.

Yeahbut, isn't that a brass acorn nut? Or is it stainless steel?

steal + patience + paint

it works, i am not recommending anyone else try this though

Do you still have any new tips for the la Pavoni left? If so I would love one.


rhmetzger@cablespeed.com thanks Robbie

Could I buy one of these M6 caps from someone? I'm still fooling around with beans/hand grinders/1979 La Pavoni trying to inch my way up the learning curve, so I don't think I have anything useful to trade for a cap, but I'm happy to pay for one.

Thanks!

robkinghorn@msn.com

Hey Guys and Gals - Brooklynshot here with a little update. I do still have tips and would still be happy to trade for local coffee. Some folks have offered to buy them outright and that's ok too. My real intention here is to let you know I am NOT the person selling them on ebay or at orphan. Someone took my idea and ran with it, though I don't imagine it will be profitable for them. But hey, I posted the instructions so you can make your own if you want to try. I am not into bad mouthing anyone so please have at it. Everyone is correct... It isn't hard if you have the right equipment and tools, but not many people have access to a $10,000 drill press that accepts a small 1/16" drill chuck, locking adjustable vise and center punch tools, so I am happy to help you out and get you a tip. So by all means please keep at, but I am still happy and willing to send you one - where ever in the world you happen to live.
I have also come up with something even better for steaming on the Pavoni and will reveal it here and at coffeegeek soon. Stay tuned.
Shoot me an email if you want a tip. That way you can get an original one...
Brooklynshot

Oh...Just one more thing. My hat is off to Orphan espresso - they are great people and have a fantastic website. - Please don't think my comments above imply anything otherwise... Barb and Doug - keep up the great work!
Brooklynshot

Have you done one of these in brass? Is it harder to drill or harder to source?

Have you done one of these in brass? Is it harder to drill or harder to source?

I was wondering about the exact same thing (i.e., using a brass acorn nut, instead of stainless steel).

Hi,
The brass is way easier to drill but also way harder to source and much more expensive. There are also some health concerns over the materials is some brass alloys... so I'd suggest pure brass - not an alloy. If you find any for cheap let me know. I have machined some from pure brass round stock and that works well - but requires a BUNCH of work.