Tamper shopping

replicant_argent · 10-27-2009, 07:39 AM

Where do you guys shop for tampers?
Shopping at a couple of "coffee snob" websites made me think that while their tampers must be plated with invisible gold, they may not be for me.

floydpink · 10-27-2009, 09:04 AM

I bought this one and it has served me well for a couple years.

http://cgi.ebay.com/49-mm-rosewood-a...item45e957d288

Mister Moo · 10-27-2009, 10:25 AM

You only live once - one for life. Hold your nose high.

Accept no substitute. Reg Barber - rosewood/convex base

germantown rob · 10-27-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

You only live once - one for life. Hold your nose high.

Accept no substitute. Reg Barber - rosewood/convex base

A Reg Barber will be my next toy to pick up

.

floydpink · 10-27-2009, 02:04 PM

What benefits does a convex base provide?

germantown rob · 10-31-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink

What benefits does a convex base provide?

It looks like a boob.

I have seen people say the convex and the c-curve help make a seal on the wall of the basket but if you tap the side of the PF you will break this seal any way.

10-31-2009, 12:52 AM

Depends on your experiences with tamps. The Reg is a trusted staple for for newbies this makes a great training tool - the Clicker Tamper

mosesbotbol · 11-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Take your basket and bring it to your local machine shop and have one made.

My dad made mine in his shop and it is super precise. Brass handle and aluminium tamp.

floydpink · 11-09-2009, 11:33 AM

Coffee equipment, for me at least, has been a long road of, "why didn't I just spend the money the first time and get the right stuff that I was reading about on Coffeegeek's rave reviews?"

I've found that the initial price always scares me off and has me buying the cheaper stuff, then chucking it for the good stuff in the end, thus my wait for a new roaster.

I'm left shaking my head when I realize that $550 grinder really cost me closer to $800 after going through a couple of cheap ones.

Fortunately, I haven't had that problem yet with one small piece; my tamper.
Wish it was the only problem because 80 bucks is easier to swallow than a few grinders and machines.

My rosewood 58mm with aluminum base is heavy, fits great in my hands, and is one of the few things that seems to have a permanent place on my counter.

Probably best I don't ever touch a Reg Barber or one of those $120 clicking tampers that Macap makes or I may be sent over the edge.

I will say that the ones they send with the expensive machines are total junk.

mosesbotbol · 11-09-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink

I will say that the ones they send with the expensive machines are total junk.

Indeed.

This is worth checking out if you are new to Espresso Machines:

http://www.espro.ca/tamper.php

It makes a click at 30lb. pressure so you have a consistent tamp each time. Just level to top of basket and tamp. From there you adjust the grinder to get a perfect shot.

For me, it is of little use as I have been doing this 10 years, but would've loved it when I first started. You'll save the money on wasted shots; initally.

Mister Moo · 11-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Indeed.

This is worth checking out if you are new to Espresso Machines:

http://www.espro.ca/tamper.php

It makes a click at 30lb. pressure so you have a consistent tamp each time. Just level to top of basket and tamp. From there you adjust the grinder to get a perfect shot.

For me, it is of little use as I have been doing this 10 years, but would've loved it when I first started. You'll save the money on wasted shots; initally.

Can you tune out the click if you get tired of it?

mosesbotbol · 11-25-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Can you tune out the click if you get tired of it?

No, but it is not loud at all. It's well made. I wonder if any used ones are on EBay?

replicant_argent · 11-10-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Take your basket and bring it to your local machine shop and have one made.

My dad made mine in his shop and it is super precise. Brass handle and aluminium tamp.

this was one of my initial ideas as well.

I can already make a decent espresso, but the tampers I have are crap, I don't need a Cadillac, just something that fits my hand well and will do a workmanlike job. Aesthetics are important, but a distant secondary priority.
I just measured the basket and it is one of the standard sizes, rather than something that would be harder to find. I may get creative this weekend and see what I can come up with.

replicant_argent · 11-09-2009, 03:21 PM

more invisible gold plating on the espro? Really? 90 bucks?
it's a chunk of plastic, some aluminum, and a cheap torque wrench with a little ingenuity.

At that price, I would rather not be one of the cool kids.

"Espro Tamper consistently monitors your tamping pressure and signals" wow, uh.. if I wink at it, will it know I want a hot date? What if I lick my eyebrows?

Marketing genius.

floydpink · 11-09-2009, 05:44 PM

Another option is to buy a bathroom scale and test your tamp pressure and monitor your personal weight at the same time.

DocLogic77 · 11-13-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink

Another option is to buy a bathroom scale and test your tamp pressure and monitor your personal weight at the same time.

When first learning I used this method to help with proper tamping pressures.

11-13-2009, 02:49 PM

I think you can't go wrong with one of these.....they sell just about anywhere for $3.00 or less! Nothing fancy but it get's the job done!

Czech Pipe Tool

This pipe tool is a classic. It's been made in several variations for decaded. The three swiveling tools included the following: a spoon for cleaning out dottle and ash, a pick for correcting bad bowl packs and of course a tamper. Get one for the car, the glove box or your key-chain. Never be without a tamper again!

replicant_argent · 11-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinsFanLarry

I think you can't go wrong with one of these.....they sell just about anywhere for $3.00 or less! Nothing fancy but it get's the job done!

Czech Pipe Tool

This pipe tool is a classic. It's been made in several variations for decaded. The three swiveling tools included the following: a spoon for cleaning out dottle and ash, a pick for correcting bad bowl packs and of course a tamper. Get one for the car, the glove box or your key-chain. Never be without a tamper again!

I have one of those, great for a pipe, but not so hot for the espresso group head.

mosesbotbol · 11-10-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

At that price, I would rather not be one of the cool kids.

Who said anything involved with making espresso at home is cheap?

I do not have one, but tried it and it's a solid piece. Yes, if you already know what you are doing, it might be a waste. I can see how this is useful in a restaurant setting or for someone who is buying their first machine.

Personally, I my tamps at home are slightly harder, but my grind makes up for it.

replicant_argent · 11-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Who said anything involved with making espresso at home is cheap?

There is a marked difference between "cheap" and useful/functional at a lesser price point. I need no elitism when regarding a plug of round metal with an ergonomic handle on it.

10-27-2009, 07:39 AM	#1
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Tamper shopping Where do you guys shop for tampers? Shopping at a couple of "coffee snob" websites made me think that while their tampers must be plated with invisible gold, they may not be for me. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

10-27-2009, 09:04 AM	#2
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Tamper shopping I bought this one and it has served me well for a couple years. http://cgi.ebay.com/49-mm-rosewood-a...item45e957d288 __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

10-27-2009, 10:25 AM	#3
Mister Moo I barely grok the obvious Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Lizard Lick, NC Posts: 1,417 Trading: (3)	Re: Tamper shopping You only live once - one for life. Hold your nose high. Accept no substitute. Reg Barber - rosewood/convex base __________________ "I hope you had the time of your life."

10-27-2009, 02:04 PM	#5
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Tamper shopping What benefits does a convex base provide? __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

10-31-2009, 12:52 AM	#7
ulster Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tamper shopping Depends on your experiences with tamps. The Reg is a trusted staple for for newbies this makes a great training tool - the Clicker Tamper

11-09-2009, 10:38 AM	#8
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Tamper shopping Take your basket and bring it to your local machine shop and have one made. My dad made mine in his shop and it is super precise. Brass handle and aluminium tamp. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

11-09-2009, 11:33 AM	#9
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Tamper shopping Coffee equipment, for me at least, has been a long road of, "why didn't I just spend the money the first time and get the right stuff that I was reading about on Coffeegeek's rave reviews?" I've found that the initial price always scares me off and has me buying the cheaper stuff, then chucking it for the good stuff in the end, thus my wait for a new roaster. I'm left shaking my head when I realize that $550 grinder really cost me closer to $800 after going through a couple of cheap ones. Fortunately, I haven't had that problem yet with one small piece; my tamper. Wish it was the only problem because 80 bucks is easier to swallow than a few grinders and machines. My rosewood 58mm with aluminum base is heavy, fits great in my hands, and is one of the few things that seems to have a permanent place on my counter. Probably best I don't ever touch a Reg Barber or one of those $120 clicking tampers that Macap makes or I may be sent over the edge. I will say that the ones they send with the expensive machines are total junk. __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

11-09-2009, 03:21 PM	#14
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: Tamper shopping more invisible gold plating on the espro? Really? 90 bucks? it's a chunk of plastic, some aluminum, and a cheap torque wrench with a little ingenuity. At that price, I would rather not be one of the cool kids. "Espro Tamper consistently monitors your tamping pressure and signals" wow, uh.. if I wink at it, will it know I want a hot date? What if I lick my eyebrows? Marketing genius. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

11-09-2009, 05:44 PM	#15
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Tamper shopping Another option is to buy a bathroom scale and test your tamp pressure and monitor your personal weight at the same time. __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

11-13-2009, 02:49 PM	#17
SkinsFanLarry Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tamper shopping I think you can't go wrong with one of these.....they sell just about anywhere for $3.00 or less! Nothing fancy but it get's the job done! Czech Pipe Tool This pipe tool is a classic. It's been made in several variations for decaded. The three swiveling tools included the following: a spoon for cleaning out dottle and ash, a pick for correcting bad bowl packs and of course a tamper. Get one for the car, the glove box or your key-chain. Never be without a tamper again!