Knockbox favorites - Page 2

#11: Post by **dick-san** » February 9th, 2009, 2:20 am

I've been using the plastic knockbox that came with my Olympia Cremina 18 years ago, tho I replaced the bumpbar 5 years ago. Actually, thanks to HB, I now know it's called a knockbox... Color me cheap

--dick

ps: I have to admit to a certain fancy knockbox envy now -- again, thanks to HB.

#12: Post by **cafeIKE** » February 9th, 2009, 8:43 am

This is a POS

Square Espresso Knockbox with Quiet Rubber Base - Commercial Size
Why : In less than 6 months :
The grommets on the bar split.
The rubber on the bar split.
The bar ends fall off unless lock-tited.

Knockbox - Model Three Espresso/Coffee Knock Out Box
10 years and still going strong

#13: Post by **JackJ** » February 9th, 2009, 9:04 am

cafeIKE wrote:This is a POS

<img>
Square Espresso Knockbox with Quiet Rubber Base - Commercial Size
Why : In less than 6 months :
The grommets on the bar split.
The rubber on the bar split.
The bar ends fall off unless lock-tited.

I'd agree that the rubber pieces are lousy. In the first 6 months I replaced the grommets and put tygon tubing on the bar. (Stuff that's easy to find at a hardware store.) Since then it's been trouble free for the last 4 years or so. I put everything but the rubber base in the dishwasher once every couple of weeks.

Given my low volume (2-3 shots/day), I'm very happy with this particular box. It's relatively inexpensive, the quality of the stainless is quite good, I like the look, and it performs its job well. The fact that it can be (ok: needs to be) modified just puts it in line with all of my other espresso equipment!

Jack

#14: Post by **zin1953** » February 9th, 2009, 9:44 am

Ian's right -- that one is a POS . . .

The Grindenstein looks so much bigger online (and like a fool, I never looked too closely at the measurements), but it's waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy tooooooooooooooooooo tiny IRL for more than a couple of pucks -- I ditched that one pretty quickly, too!

#15: Post by **cafeIKE** » February 9th, 2009, 11:56 am

JackJ wrote:I'd agree that the rubber pieces are lousy. In the first 6 months I replaced the grommets and put tygon tubing on the bar.

Care to be a bit more specific for TYGON

TYGON® 2001 Plasticizer Free Tubing
TYGON® 2075 Ultra Chemical Resistant Tubing
TYGON® 2275 High-Purity Tubing
TYGON® 2275 I.B. High-Purity Pressure Tubing
TYGON® 3350 Sanitary Silicone Tubing
TYGON® 3370 I.B. Sanitary Silicone Pressure Tubing
TYGON® Anti-Microbial Tubing
TYGON® B-44-3 Beverage Tubing
TYGON® B-44-4X Food, Milk and Dairy Tubing
TYGON® B-44-4X I.B. Pressure Tubing
TYGON® F-4040-A Fuel and Lubricant Tubing
TYGON® LFL Long Flex Life Pump Tubing
TYGON® R-1000 Ultra Soft Tubing
TYGON® R-3400 UV Resistant Tubing
TYGON® R-3603 Laboratory Tubing
TYGON® R-3603 Vacuum Tubing
TYGON® S-50-HL Medical/Surgical Tubing
TYGON® S-54-HL Microbore Tubing
TYGON® SE-200 Inert Tubing
TYGON® Silver Antimicrobial Tubing

#16: Post by **JackJ** » February 9th, 2009, 1:27 pm

cafeIKE wrote:Care to be a bit more specific for TYGON

Sure! It's the stuff on the second spool from the left in the middle row of the tubing section at Kleindorfer's Hardware in Bloomington Indiana. How's that for specific?

I just took the bar with me to find a good fit.

I'm itchin' to upgrade Silvia, really need a better grinder, would like to try some other tampers, but I am completely satisfied with my modified knockbox.

Jack

#17: Post by **cafeIKE** » February 9th, 2009, 1:39 pm

Specific enough if you go in, take a photo of the box showing the spec and post it so we can all read it.

Maybe a bit more information such as fibre reinforced, natural / synthetic, etc.

Sorry if I seem a pedant, but the rubber hose on my decade old knockbox has between 10 and 20 thousand whacks with the PF and shows nary a blemish. No idea whatsoever of its genesis or composition. I'd love to get something as durable. I'd hate to get something that reeked of rubber for a couple of years, split in another six months, etc.

I did several TYGON searches and only came up with TMI.

February 9th, 2009, 1:51 pm

I'm crazy about my Bumper knockbox. I don't even mind the mold, since I don't see it until I empty it. It's such a vast improvement over my old one, that square one pictured a couple posts back.
Jen

#19: Post by **JackJ** » February 9th, 2009, 2:04 pm

I'll try to swing by that store to check the tubing--and if anyone knows Kleindorfer's, I'm not at all sure which spool had the specific stuff I purchased. It was about 4 yrs. ago: my memory is not that good, and they do occasionally move things around a bit. I was just trying to get cute with being "specific."

I'm now even wondering if it is indeed Tygon; somehow that name stuck in my head, so I hope it's correct.

I'll report back.

Jack

#20: Post by **smillions** » February 9th, 2009, 2:16 pm

Lockman wrote:Anybody got a "real" favorite? I am destroying my stainless sink. It needs to be an on the counter model.

I'm new to this whole wonderful world of espresso, but what I use instead of a knockbox is a hardwood cutting board. I lay it across the sink and it is my tamping mat, knockbox and general coffee making workspace. Works for me.