rate this burr grinder

[Tripp]

I know Kevin's probably not still shopping for one, but I thought I'd add that I've had one of these for a couple years, and was always disappointed with the grind size for the smallest setting. A couple months ago, I got a slightly nicer espresso machine, adn the thick grind just wouldn't cut it anymore. I went to town on this thing with just a pocketknife, and a toothpick and the size adjustment now goes as far down as I need it to, with no need to upgrade to a fancy grinder, which I really cant afford.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Tripp

I know Kevin's probably not still shopping for one, but I thought I'd add that I've had one of these for a couple years, and was always disappointed with the grind size for the smallest setting. A couple months ago, I got a slightly nicer espresso machine, adn the thick grind just wouldn't cut it anymore. I went to town on this thing with just a pocketknife, and a toothpick and the size adjustment now goes as far down as I need it to, with no need to upgrade to a fancy grinder, which I really cant afford.

Could you elaborate on the modification using the pocketknife and toothpick?

[Tripp]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Could you elaborate on the modification using the pocketknife and toothpick?

There's a rail that pushes a button down as a failsafe in case the hopper isn't ratcheted down far enough, with a stopper at the end of the rail so that it can't ratchet down too far. I just filed the stopper off of the rail, and wedged the tip of a toothpick to keep the button pressed down when the hopper is ratcheted down too far for the rail to push the button.

Obviously, this would void any warranty, and be careful, because you have the potential to grind the burrs together if you screw the hopper down too far. That being said, its a pretty easy way to get this cheap grinder to perform a little bit better, keeping him out of the dump for at least a few more years.