baldheadracing wrote:- from today's Daily Coffee News e-mail blast.

I don't have a dog in that fight and don't intend to, but instead of the initial rush to market IMBHO those features should've been implemented to begin with. Yet another reason I don't waste time/money/effort on beta type projects.

"The chamber itself also boasts a 30% larger capacity from the previous model. "

"Other feature include customizable wood accents, an updated Magic Tumbler for reduced grind retention, more durable paint to keep the MK2 working hard and looking good for longer and added detents to the adjustment ring "so it is bi-stable in the up/down position," per Douglas Weber, "[making] operating it smoother and more intuitive." "

https://sprudge.com/weber-workshops-ann ... 16032.html

The website now has Mk. II features listed. It says the extra torque would allow you to grind green coffee beans (not that they'd recommend it).

I've been using a Key grinder for about a year or so, and I'm generally happy with it. I've learned to put up with its quirks.

Reading about the new features of the second edition on their website, one feature in particular caught my attention:

"The mechanism now houses a bottom bearing to maintain factory alignment without needing adjustments."

Having been frustrated noting some "burr wobble" from time to time on my copy of the key, and I know I'm not alone in this, I do wonder if that extra bearing alignment will eliminate this "quirk" of the grinder.

A bearing to stabilize the lower portion of the drive shaft would certainly be worth retrofitting to the first version of the key (if possible) and if not possible, I'd even consider upgrading to a new unit.

I'll mention here, just for completeness, that when I remove the inner burr (For cleaning, say) the shaft spins true. And there is zero wobble. So I do think it's built up fines in the burr interface that causes the wobble. Re-tightening the bolt on the inner burr helps too. It's disconcerting nonetheless.

choroidalfusion wrote:I've been using a Key grinder for about a year or so, and I'm generally happy with it. I've learned to put up with its quirks.

"The mechanism now houses a bottom bearing to maintain factory alignment without needing adjustments."

Having been frustrated noting some "burr wobble" from time to time on my copy of the key, and I know I'm not alone in this, I do wonder if that extra bearing alignment will eliminate this "quirk" of the grinder.

That is major news. I'd love a photo of the bearing arrangement. When I was building a grinder of similar design this was a main concern. My calcs showed that the shaft would wobble if it was not oversized (titus sized or bigger) while grinding due to grinding forces on the long unsupported shaft. That is even if zero runout is detectible under no grinding/test conditions and two bearings align the shaft above it. The stainless shaft itself will flex around under ~50lbs estimated grinding force perpendicular to the axis.

That was my only gripe with this grinder and now they have solved it. They also solved most every other complaint. Good job Weber!


Mods - New thread to talk about MKII?
Mod - done

I saw some photos of the Key MK II from an event in Tokyo and it appears like the center shaft on the new version is shorter.

(Photo borrowed from Arthur Zetes)

It doesn't look that way to me. I couldn't find pictures at exactly the same angle but they look pretty similar to me.

GregoryJ wrote:It doesn't look that way to me. I couldn't find pictures at exactly the same angle but they look pretty similar to me.

I think you're right. It doesn't seem necessary anyway if they have added a bearing at the bearing end of the shaft too.

JayBeck wrote:I think that is perception. The new 'hopper' is 30% larger per the promotional materials so what I think you're seeing is the deeper 'hopper' that the lid sits on.

Yes, I think you're right, I may have jumped to conclusions.