Which 53mm Tamper?

donnacha

Okay folks - I'm on the hunt for a 53mm tamper. Any recommendations?

Doodee went for a Thor: http://www.thortamper.com/
I've been using a Reg Barber 58mm - could just get a 53mm head but think I'm better off selling it as a 58mm and possibly get a brand new RB.

I'll also have some other gear for sale shortly, which I'll post here first for any interested takers. First up will be my Rancilio Silvia (Though I still need to fit the replacement chrome cover I'd bought as the other one was peeling).

I don't mind sourcing the tamper from far afield so all wacky/cool suggestions welcome - I just probably need to get the order in soon.

PPC

Doodee went for a Torr tamper http://www.artazza.com/tampers.php

I'd highly recommend looking at http://stores.ebay.ie/precisiontampermaker
I've a few of his tampers and they're amazing for the price.

donnacha

PPC wrote: »

Doodee went for a Torr tamper http://www.artazza.com/tampers.php

Cheers - who would have thought there were both Torr and Thor tampers

TheChizler

I'm looking to get a tamper but does anyone have any proper explanation as to why they're so expensive? I haven't been able to find anything even just pseudo scientific, just the weight makes the coffee taste better I understand why the pressure makes a difference but you can compress to the same pressure with plastic or solid gold!

Doodee

TheChizler wrote: »

I'm looking to get a tamper but does anyone have any proper explanation as to why they're so expensive? I haven't been able to find anything even just pseudo scientific, just the weight makes the coffee taste better I understand why the pressure makes a difference but you can compress to the same pressure with plastic or solid gold!

If its machined to spec then it's expensive due to the bespokiness. The reason you do this as it is a perfect fit so all grind winds up in the puck instead of on the walls. No NSEW technique required.

Most others are expensive due to material the handle is made from and also the craftsmanship of the metal.
You can get cheap tampers on ebay too.

Mugatuu

I'm looking for a coffee tamper at the moment, can anyone explain to me what all the different "face styles" are for please? On the Precision Tamper Maker they have semi-serrated flat and VST flat? The other tampers I had looked at were the flat and convex ones. I don't understand the other types!

Doodee

VST would be for a VST basket.
Convex are somewhat forgiving when it comes to the tamp (I have a Torr one). Its shape means that there is less chance of the puck sloping.
semi-serrated have groves, don't have any experience with them but I assume they allow for a different technique to be adopted.

My recommendation for your first coffee tamper would be to get something that is flat based and not too expensive and also buy a bottomless PF. The latter is very good for teaching you to tamp correctly as an incorrect tamp and be quite messy.

brokenarms

As someone who served his time on a metal lathe, keeping to .1mm is rather simple at best.
And the profile and shape, Very simple.
Any first year apprentice on their first week should be capable of it. These days the world of precision is .01 and less.

The only reason people charge so much for such a simple thing, is because there are people willing to pay it.

100 quid for a tamper is funny as hell to be honest.