Nate42 wrote:I don't see why "easing up" on the pressure would be a problem, so long as you aren't lifting up the arms.

I should have clarified my original post above to state Nate42 comment above (e.g. channeling risk if one is doing Fellini maneuver where lever returned to all the way up position).

Didn't take me long to get annoyed with the front facing pressure gauge. I'm trying out a few options and awkward positions, but this scale stuck on with some tape seems to be doing the trick.
Decided to give the target pressure range a bit of color too.
If anyone is interested PM me and I can send you the scaled drawing for printing.

(In Donkey from "Shrek" voice) Pick me! pick me!

I will send you PM.

This post by "Leong428" is why I love home-barista.com. Their first post on home-barista.com and IMO this should be a sticky for Cafelat Robot along with "jpender" Cafelat Robot temperature studies. But from what I know of this forums' programming/logic this is practically impossible. As a side note, I wonder if "jpender" will later go on to develop and sell uber-quality espresso equipment like Denis Basaric. For those unaware, Denis Basaric posted the original Olympia Express Cremina temperature study. He later founded and design for Kafatek (makers of the Monolith Flat and Monolith grinders).

"Leong428" solution is Occam's Razor at work again. Or stated another way: why the heck didn't I think of this before? Here I was going fabricate or find different mount for OEM pressure gauge to make it upward-facing. Unfortunately Gabor Laszko's upward-facing gauge is too big IMO. For those unaware (and those w/o mesomorph-level muscle mass) an upward-facing brew pressure gauge is needed for lower muscle mass persons like me. I press on the Robot's optional hands with "meat of my palms" (i.e. proximal palm including thenar eminence) standing over the Cafelat Robot. I am not strong enough to comfortably generate the occasional very high (e.g. 12-14 bar) peak pressure pressing on the Robot hands as shown in Paul Pratt's instructional video manual. I described in a prior post of this mega-thread why I occasionally use such high peak brew pressure.

What does the sticker solve though? You still have to see the needle.

Here's hoping @Paul_Pratt is still working on an improved gauge. Upwards facing or even better adjustable like on the Flair.

Probably still possible to see at least the bottom of the needle, no?

Jonk wrote:What does the sticker solve though? You still have to see the needle.

I used a sharpie a long time ago to mark the side of the gauge after seeing a post here where someone did the same and still use it. It does really help, unless your eyes are behind the gauge. I find that I can easily look straight down on the gauge and see where the needle is, but not see the numbers on the dial. It is very easy to line up the needle with the mark on the top.

Wow, I didn't expect there to be such a demand for this thing! Thank you @mdmvrockford for your kind words. I have been reading so much on this forum before finally deciding to get my Cafelat Robot, and just felt it was the right thing to do to contribute back to the community by sharing what I can.

@Jonk The sticker will not be useful for everyone - I had an "Aha!" moment when my girlfriend who was a bit shorter than me said she could read the scale just fine without the sticker.
However for a tall person like myself (or if you just have the Robot sat on a low table while facing you), when I start the extraction and push down on the levers vertically my eyeline is looking down on the gauge from a high position. I can still see the needle (as shown in the photo below) but because the gauge is so small, I can't see the numbers anymore. The gauge ruler sticker on the top of the gauge solves that problem (at least for me).

I personally also like the green color range as it simplifies things even further for me - as long as the needle hits green I know I'm in the ballpark of where I need to be. Below are photos of the final product I got printed yesterday.

@Ken5 that's cool! I originally used a sharpie too but it was still difficult to see when I make my morning coffee without turning on the ceiling lights

After I received mine, as part of the original Kickstarter, I added strips of blue painters tape to make it easier to determine the pressure. After a few weeks, may be even less, I no longer paid attention to it. Like many manual lever users have said in this forum, you get the feel of what pressure you exert on it.

The label Leong428 created definitely looks better and more professional. I think what Jonk was trying to say is that after a time you use Robot you do not need it anymore.

In the end, it is a very nice looking sticker that can make the Robot looks more attractive

learncoffee wrote:after a time you use Robot you do not need [the gauge] anymore.

In general, I agree with this. I had the same experience - I think you get the feel very quickly and do not really need the gauge even to begin with. But eventually I started documenting my shots and then it's nice to be able to double check, so I will glance at it once or twice during most shots.

After my last post I tried to view the needle as if I had a sticker and it's not a big difference in viewing angle in my case but does make it a little bit easier. For me, the main benefit of an upward facing gauge would be to better control declining pressure at the end of the shot.

For sure 'now' I could pull a shot without the gauge and get a good shot. But I would 'think' (don't know) that if one is timing and weighing their shots that the gauge would make those values have more meaning???

Also... marking the top of the gauge does not make the viewing angle of the needle any better, but if you can at least see the needle you have the index marks needed to make it al least work. A gauge that is positioned better would be great! Personally I only put one line on the side of the gauge and aim for that. If I want to pull lower, or decline the shot, I have a good idea of decline from this mark.