Recent Versalab M3 performance - Page 2

Grinders are one of the keys to exceptional espresso. Discuss them here.
cinergi
Posts: 88
Joined: 19 years ago

#11: Post by cinergi »

Dennis,

sounds good. PM me about details.

Doug

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networkcrasher
Posts: 606
Joined: 16 years ago

#12: Post by networkcrasher »

1. Does the grinder produce consistent high-quality output over days, weeks, months of use?
Yes
2. Does the grind setting slip?
No
3. Does the drive belt slip?
Nope, even with light roasts. Mine's about 6 mo old. Only grinder I use ATM.
4. Have you observed burr misalignment?
No
5. Have you observed runout in excess of spec on the drive shaft?
No
6. Are there any other design or mechanical flaws of which I should be aware?
My only gripe was how it would eject bean fragments out of the grinding throat. I fashioned up a cover with a chute so I can pour my weighed dose in. I use a "weigh spoon" as seen on orphan espresso

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EricC
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#13: Post by EricC »

1. Does the grinder produce consistent high-quality output over days, weeks, months of use?
Yes
2. Does the grind setting slip?
No
3. Does the drive belt slip?
No
4. Have you observed burr misalignment?
No
5. Have you observed runout in excess of spec on the drive shaft?
No
6. Are there any other design or mechanical flaws of which I should be aware?
No.

8)

DavidMLewis
Posts: 590
Joined: 19 years ago

#14: Post by DavidMLewis »

1. Does the grinder produce consistent high-quality output over days, weeks, months of use?
Yes.

2. Does the grind setting slip?
No.

3. Does the drive belt slip?
Mine started to with lightly-roasted beans. Removing it and cleaning the knurled pulley with acetone and a Q-tip seems to have solved it, but I wouldn't be shocked if the belt had to be replaced every year or so. (Update: I just did replace the belt, and the old one had indeed stretched considerably. I will now regard belt replacement as a yearly maintenance item.)

4. Have you observed burr misalignment?
No.

5. Have you observed runout in excess of spec on the drive shaft?
Yes, when the grinder first arrived. It was fixed quickly and I have had no more problems.

6. Are there any other design or mechanical flaws of which I should be aware?
It's necessarily a bit noisy when grinding, since you have an open megaphone. I'd love to see a low-angle feed auger like on recent Mazzers to reduce the popcorning; as it is you hold your hand over the funnel when grinding. Other than that, no.

Best,
David

belanger
Posts: 5
Joined: 14 years ago

#15: Post by belanger »

denniskeating wrote:Doug, I see you are online.
Are you interested in Dr. Beans cogged pulley set? I saw the inquiry on his blog.
I translated his price to be $91.34 USD + shipping. If we both buy, I'll split shipping with you.
- Dennis
Where can I find Dr Beans? I don't own a M3 but if I can get a better pulley I might go for it.

Thank you, PB

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EricC
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#16: Post by EricC »


denniskeating
Posts: 94
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#17: Post by denniskeating »

For the record, I purchased Dr. Beans cogged pulley set, but never have used because my grinder is over 1 yr now and belt never slipped.

I did install the set for a while, and it works good.
Dennis

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Fullsack
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#18: Post by Fullsack »

I've got the set as well and haven't used it because I believe there are instances where the belt needs to slip to protect the grinder internals. The fuse might accomplish this, to some extent, but the modification still doesn't seem to be worth the risk.
LMWDP #017
Kill all my demons and my angels might die too. T. Williams

DavidMLewis
Posts: 590
Joined: 19 years ago

#19: Post by DavidMLewis »

In my case, about a year ago, I noticed that when I thought the belt was slipping, the driven pulley in fact was continuing to move. It turned out that the machine screw that holds the lower burr carrier onto the shaft was in fact slightly loose. I cleaned things up and tightened it up with a drop of blue Loctite, and have not had any slippage of any kind since. Once, the grinder ingested a rock in a batch of Yemen, and the fuse blew just as it was supposed to. I had to remove the lower burr carrier to clean things out, and everything has been fine.

I went to the new static wiper a few months ago, to good effect. I still think that for my usage, it's a great grinder.

Best,
David

denniskeating
Posts: 94
Joined: 19 years ago

#20: Post by denniskeating »

David, Has the static wiper been redesigned in the last year?

Yes, the fuse does a good job. It is well matched to the machine.

Has anyone run Grindz thru theirs? I would think 40 grams of that stuff could make the belt slip.
Dennis