Hello:

I'm writing because I wanted to share a solution I found to keep my portafilter basket from falling out every time I knock out the old grinds. I have two machines with these clipless portafilters, an Olympia Coffex and a La Pavoni Europiccola. The Coffex was bought off of eBay and performs beautifully. But the basket seemed permanently connected to the PF. When I finally pried it off with a screwdriver, I was able to clean away years if not decades of black residue using JoeGlo and a wire brush on a Dremel tool. But now there seemed no way to reattach the basket, and it would fly out if I even tilted it sideways.

I was just ready to spring (sorry) for a bottomless PF for the Coffex at $150 because that's all that's available with a spring clip when I thought to try adding a spacer between the basket and the PF just to make it a bit more snug. (I realize the benefits of a bottomless PF and use one on my E61 machine to work on technique.) My first thought was a rubber band, and I realized that could get nasty. Then I tried Teflon tape, the kind you get to secure the threads on a faucet, and voila! The basket stays put or it can be easily removed, and when it's time to give the PF another thorough cleaning, I'll simply replace the tape, which runs less than $1 at the hardware store.
I plan to use the same solution for the Europiccola.

Another approach is to create three "divots" using a center punch as Dave suggested in Europiccola Portafilter Retaining Spring?

That looks like an even better solution. No tape to get gummed up with coffee residue!

Edit: I had a hard time finding a solution for this, so I'll add some search terms: portafilter clip, PF clip, clipless PF, springless portafilter, springless PF, no clip portafilter, no clip basket, springless basket, basket falls out, loose basket. Please feel free to add relevant keywords.

Another possible solution is to have a reasonable supply of identical baskets for a given machine. Baskets are what, $10 max ?, and to lift the hot basket out of a springless PF with your fingernails is easy.

Baskets for the Coffex (Elektra are cheaper than the Olympia ones) are $22 plus shipping. I like the hole punch idea! But the main thing is I like to be able to fasten the basket in the PF so I can easily knock out the grinds while just holding the PF handle.

Or you could try out the "Yak Whack" or other solutions on the How to keep Cremina basket in when dumping puck thread.

Pretty slick! No way to keep up with you guys!

how bout a large O-ring that can go around the basket? cheap and easy to clean.

And the winner is?

My first thought actually was an o-ring, but I don't have the right size "in stock."

My Teflon tape idea seemed good on installation but failed after two shots. The second time I removed the PF, the basket stayed suctioned to the group. At least it came off easily.

Then there's the erics and Yakster solution. Why modify something that's fine as is? Eric suggests multiple PFs and fingernails to remove the hot basket. Certainly workable. Yakster wins that one with style points, though. You've given your technique a brand, the "Yak Whack"! And you even support it with a video! So, to both of you, how do you keep your fingertips from getting burned? I dunno ...

Cannonfodder's (Dave's) solution also involved some whacks but seemed the most elegant. Use a hole punch to create three divots in the basket. I positioned a rubber door stop on my concrete garage floor and prayed my thumb wouldn't get in the way. Worked like a charm, thumbs still intact for now and easily pries off with a screwdriver. So what should we name that solution? The Cannonshot Springless Portafilter Basket? [tm??]

I can't believe I'm sitting up late at night writing about how to punch dents in a filter basket with such distinguished company! Thank you all, and to all a good night!

I actually picked up a Riviera Eagle Double Basket from Orphan Espresso that comes with dimples, but they were a little too pronounced and the fit into the La Peppina portafilter wasn't good. I tried to pound the dimples back, but didn't do that great a job and the tamper can get snagged on the previously dimpled area.

I guess I was trying to go the other way, get rid of the dimples because I'm used to dosing and tamping in the basket from my hand grinder and like to gently slip it into the portafilter... but now that I've got my Vario, I've been dosing in the portafilter and may have to re-think this whole quandry. Re-dimple the basket?

I'll admit that the basket is a little hot to the touch, but not too hot, but since I've got an open-boiler, the group is only at brew temps and doesn't get overheated so your experience may vary.