How to choose a tamper?

by **EspressoGirl** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:14 pm

Since these seem to be primarily available by mail order, I need some help from experienced users.

How does one choose a tamper when one cannot try it/hold it first?

I have some RSI problems from typing, so ergonomics are crucial to me. I held a high-quality aluminum one from David Schomer that had a long "handle" at a local coffee bar, and I liked the lightweightness of it, but maybe the lightness is not good. I had always thought heavyweight stainless was best. I held a heavy stainless one at same coffee bar and it had shorter "handle" too. Both its weight and shortness seemed awkward for me. But maybe it is just a matter of getting used to?

What are the things to take into consideration before buying?
Is there a way to determine right size of tamper "handle" compared to the size of one's hand or fingers?
Is stainless steel and/or heavy weight more likely to provide a better tamp (or does that make it easier to do so)?

BTW, I have a 58mm basket in a Gaggia Classic. Are the 58 mm sized tampers all a true 58mm, or can that vary slightly as well? I saw a site tell people to measure their baskets before ordering...

Help--I don't know where to begin....

Thanks.

by **EricL** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:24 pm

There are probably as many opinions as people, but this thread
http://www.home-barista.com/knockbox/hb-roadshow-espresso-tamper-reviews-t1912.html
looks at a lot of choices & members giving opinions.
In a nutshell, no they're not all the same size. 58mm may mean 57.7 to 58.1 or so.
That may or may not matter depending on who you read.
It's largely a personal choice.

I used a Vivace Ergotamper for years, just switched to a Reg Barber with a wooden handle, which I like better. I find it easier to get level.
But read the thread, and maybe you'll come up with some more questions.

by **EspressoGirl** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:51 pm

Thanks. I'll be reading all that later. I already have a new question: since there is some minor size variation, how tight a fit should it be? There has to be enough space to move, so... but how much space is too much? what can you say about this issue?
thanks.

by **danetrainer** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:17 pm

I can answer your question about the size issue (I hope you have a digital vernier caliper) I just waited 8 months for a custom sized tamper from Germany, I requested 58.8 to allow .2mm (equates to .008"). The size that arrived actually measures 58.6mm, it has more clearance than necessary in my basket that measures 59.0mm. Hope this helps...

by **roastaroma** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:32 pm

Ciao Sarah,

I can't say which tamper you ought to buy, but I can give a caveat about "generic" tampers like the one I once had (in the photo): about $40, stainless steel, wonderfully heavy, large ball-end, all stuff I like. The one big snag: it actually measured 57 mm, so big a gap that I had to do the Staub (NSEW) tamp all the time. Now that I have a custom Thor tamper (for my new macchina), the fit is perfect. I think that if you have ~.2 mm of clearance, the piston shouldn't get stuck, but there could be a bit of friction as coffee grinds catch in between. No biggie.

Ergonomically, I think large rounded handles are the way to go. My hands are not big, but as long as my fingers can reach the piston, I reckon that's a good fit.

At the risk of opening a jumbo can of worms re tamping, I believe you can take it easier on your hand/wrist by not doing Schomer's Holy 30-lb. Tamp, and letting your grinder do the hard work, i.e., grind finer & tamp lighter. Like the Italians, only not quite as casual. :wink:

by **cafeIKE** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:34 pm

EspressoGirl wrote:Thanks. I'll be reading all that later. I already have a new question: since there is some minor size variation, how tight a fit should it be? There has to be enough space to move, so... but how much space is too much? what can you say about this issue?
thanks.

Anything tighter than 0.5mm is a PITA.
Between 0.5mm and 1mm is ideal.

by **danetrainer** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:57 pm

Anything tighter than 0.5mm is a PITA.
Between 0.5mm and 1mm is ideal.

Certainly depending on your basket, ridged types (and tapered sides) this would be true, but if it has straight sides and is ridgeless this much clearance is unnecessary. All this has to be taken into account.

by **cafeIKE** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:21 pm

Sorry, but I disagree. I have ridgeless, straight-sided baskets and half a dozen tampers varying from 57.7 to 58.5mm.

Anything tighter than 0.5mm is a PITA.

EDIT : Handle shape can be completely irrelevant

by **EricL** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:42 pm

And then, just to complicate matters, she has to consider flat, euro curve, us curve, C-flat, rippled or non rippled :twisted:

A qualified 'most' think the US curve is best, but the difference isn't that great. My RB is a flat.
But do go for stainless over aluminum, or something heavy like copper/brass.

[edit] or WOOD!, in the case of the Thor tamper.

by **zin1953** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:54 pm

EspressoGirl wrote:How does one choose a tamper when one cannot try it/hold it first?

Welcome to the World of Espresso, Sarah! :twisted:

Seriously, not being able to touch, feel, or try out a tamper before you buy is a problem, but at least it's less of a problem than buying an espresso machine or a grinder without trying it! You've already been referred to the Home-Barista Roadshow Tamper Review . . . definitely worth reading. Keep in mind, too, that most of the tampers can come with different handles. For example, Bumper tampers can come with four different handles on either flat or covenx 58mm bases (let alone their other sizes). So with Bumper alone, you have eight options . . .

Personally, I have two Bumper 58 mm tampers, both convex -- one for my Elektra and one for my La Valentina. I also have a flat 49mm Compressore Tamper with a round Cocobolo handle for my Olympia Cafferex., and a 45mm tamper for my Arraex Caravel.

The largest selection of tampers that I know of is at Espresso Parts NW, but they don't carry everything by any means. For example, you can get Thor Tampers direct; they are beautiful works of art. And Reg Barber tampers can be ordered from various vendors (including Espresso Parts NW), but they will also make custom tampers just for you (and your machine).

The bottom line is you have to try them . . . and you may end up owning a couple . . . you can always sell them (or make sure of the return policy before you buy!).

Cheers,
Jason

by **cannonfodder** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:09 pm

I think having a perfect tamper fit is less critical than most think. Just get a standard 58mm and not worry about it. Unfortunately the handle is very subjective, what feels best in your hand (which is the most critical measurement) can only be decided on by trying. Try out a Reg Barber, see how it feels then work on what you want. Is the handle to tall, to short, the handle ball to big, small, etc... Based on the measurement of the know handle, you can make an educated guess as to what will fit your hand best.

by **drdna** on Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:32 pm

EspressoGirl wrote:I have some RSI problems from typing, so ergonomics are crucial to me.

I would really recommend you strongly consider Les Albjerg's custom tampers at http://www.thortamper.com. He is a very nice guy and will make a custom tamper for you to your specifications. That way you can have one that fits your hand perfectly, which I think would be important. He makes a special type of tamper called a Ridgeline that keeps you from tamping unevenly, and I think this would be just what you would want to make the job of tamping easy and stress-free on the hands.

by **zin1953** on Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:35 pm

cafeIKE wrote:Handle shape can be completely irrelevant

As long as it's comfortable . . . :wink:

by **Bushrod** on Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:09 pm

I just got a new tamper from Coffeelab Design. The height is adjustable. I really like it! The exchange rate is pretty good right now.

http://www.coffeelabdesign.com/

by **Theodore** on Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:51 pm

...And if somebody,is of some age,and feels a pain in the shoulder,then a Macap CPS auto tamper,is a must.
I bought one,and I feel,very well.
(And the quality in my cup,is way better).
PS.And if there are much money,there is a true professional auto tamper by Mazzer,the X-Bar,which is 18Kg of weight,but costs some Euros 800.00,plus postage.

by **JohnB.** on Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:51 am

Bushrod wrote:I just got a new tamper from Coffeelab Design. The height is adjustable. I really like it! The exchange rate is pretty good right now.

http://www.coffeelabdesign.com/

I'll second the Coffeelab recommendation. I have a beautiful Thor tamper as well as a Bumper but the Coffeelab is the only one that fits my baskets correctly. The Thor is just a little tight & can get hung up depending on the dose.

by **Lockman** on Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:34 pm

I will third the Coffee lab as a very nice stainless tamper. Good people out back as well. I also picked up 3 tamps on Ebay. 2 are very nice and the other is POS. Came pre-dented and sticks in the basket. It went by the name of "Lava tamp" in the auction but I could find no such name on the packaging. It is hollow as well and I would not recommend that style from experience. The other tamps were solid convex base and much better construction. Also about the same price... No where near the functional beauty of the Coffee Lab but the the tamp result is the same.

by **EspressoGirl** on Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:04 pm

Thanks to all you nice people who responded so far. I am seriously considering an adjustable (handle) tamper. Any caveats about that?

And is CoffeeLab stuff only available from Australia?

I have heard good things about the Bumper Tampers. Don't remember if they had adjustable ones. There is an adjustable tamper I saw on Whole Latte Love site (different brand) that someone said is perfect for my Gaggia Classic basket. I was wondering if the adjustable ones are unstable and if the handle keeps unscrewing -- I guess that could be a problem.

by **EspressoGirl** on Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:10 pm

BTW, does anyone know anywhere in NYC one can actually try a tamper ? (I doubt it but thought I would ask).

by **cannonfodder** on Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:20 pm

Try a cafe, a real cafe that still grinds and tamps. Just tell them you are looking at tampers and wondered if you could see the ones they use, and get their opinion on them. 9th street and Cafe Grumpy are both in Manhattan.


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