Normcore v4 Self Leveling Tamper vs Decent v3 vs Cheap leveling Tamper. Part TWO!? The sequel!

Рет қаралды 17,822

2 жыл бұрын

A viewer previously reported that their Normcore v4 tamper does not wobble like mine and suggested tightening it up, but everything is and was already tight.
I'm Pretty sure this wasn't the 58.5mm version I ordered. Unless v4 base is slightly smaller than the v3 Normcore 58.5 (which I had previously) but it does seem about the same or even less precise fitting than the Decent base which is 58.35mm
I also since then ordered a 51.5mm version (from Amazon though) and it doesn't seem like a very tight/precise fit for my 51mm La Pavoni Europiccola basket.
I notice a bit more of a noise from the spring / mechanism than on my Decent or cheaper no name tampers too.
Are the springs are supposed to change the tamping pressure because it seems more like it changes the tamping resistance which you feel not the weight calibration but I'm not a tamper scientist. V4 is supposed to adjust the actual tamping pressure.
I think as long as you're relatively consistent with your tamping force, it doesn't really NEED to be a precise weight, and I don't think these spring mechanism tampers really result in precision anyway. I prefer the tampers where you can feel the resistance of the coffee.

Пікірлер: 21

@BensCoffeeRants 11 ай бұрын

Update: My Favorite Tampers! The Force Tamper, Happy Tamper, Decent V3 (and v4+ is probably good just never had one), Ikape Palm Tamper, PuqPress Q2 (good for café!) Haven't tried it myself but worth looking into: Bravo Tamper, and BOSe Tamper

@karlosss1868 26 күн бұрын

This is the first video I've seen showing how these self levelling tampers are not all made equal. Very interesting.

@BensCoffeeRants 26 күн бұрын

Thank you. Yeah, some people worry the concussive force of the force tamper may disturb the coffee bed. I found it worked well for me but you do have to secure it to make sure it stays flat / level as you push down it tends to want to lean to a side if not careful. Happy tampers design is good but coffee gets under the tamper base like many other designs do as well. I also had the Normal dose one and I didn't love the design it tended to push you back and uses a tiny button so it's not comfortable and seemed to always raise itself up leaning in one specific direction which meant it's likely tamping in that opposite direction rather than straight down.

@kenwoody4294 2 жыл бұрын

Hey dude, thanks for the video. What is that stand where you are parking your portafilter?

@BensCoffeeRants 2 жыл бұрын

It's from Aliexpress, Tough brand, I like it better than the ECM brand one which was more $$ and less versatile (didn't fit the Rocket naked Portafilter I had). www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001548178008.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.784718029AD8lX Also very similar to the BaristaSpace one. www.baristaspace.com/products/tamping-station-polished-aluminium-baristaspace?variant=31256973934662

@harrydog6795 2 жыл бұрын

I have the Normcore 53.3mm V4 and it tamps level, I also have the Normcore 58.5mm V4 and it tamps UN-level every time. It looks to be made with poor tolerances compared to the 53.3mm tamper. Easy to move the plate around compared to the 53.3mm tamper.

@BensCoffeeRants 2 жыл бұрын

Good to know. I was going to order the 51mm for the europpicolla. Hopefully it's also got tighter tolerances.

@harrydog6795 2 жыл бұрын

@@BensCoffeeRants It does not look bad but it will tamp slightly more toward the handle of the portafilter. Turn the tamper no different. I never really spent all that much time on it but will take it apart and look closer at the construction and see if I spot anything. The does move a little in the IMS basket? It looks close to about 1.5 mm deeper on one side.

@harrydog6795 2 жыл бұрын

It was a good idea to take it apart, found the pin had worked it's way off one side of the shaft or collar. I have not been using it that long, maybe one month. Now that it's back in place it is tamping fairly even. Did not think that pin would move? Something to look for.

@CorrupteddSanity 2 жыл бұрын

Regarding keeping it level as you push down - I just tested a basket - it wont go into the basket more than 1mm if it tilts. Try it yourself. The tamper immediately makes contact with the basket wall and thus prevents it from plunging downwards.

@BensCoffeeRants 2 жыл бұрын

Ah yes good point there's only so much wiggle room in the basket. I wasn't really too concerned about it tamping on an angle with any of these really.

@GrandpaDon69 2 жыл бұрын

Portafilter baskets are all slightly tapered. The lower you tamp, the tolerances get tighter. Judging rhe tolerances from the top of the basket is NOT good way to judge tamper tolerances.

@BensCoffeeRants Жыл бұрын

Top or middle ish part is generally where you will push down to, you're not tamping all the way to the bottom. Some new fancy baskets are actually straight down or straighter anyway.

@CorrupteddSanity 2 жыл бұрын

I reiterate that mine and others on youtube do not wobble like yours. If you have the energy, I would suggest pursuing a refund/exhange.

@BensCoffeeRants 2 жыл бұрын

Thought it's just a v4 thing do you have the v3 or 4?

@crayzieap Жыл бұрын

Where did you get the tamper station?

@BensCoffeeRants Жыл бұрын

It's a secret ;) I have an extra one for sale if you're in the Toronto area. I also have a custom adaptor I had made so it can also fit with 51mm portafilters as well! Unlikely but do you happen to be in the same hood? :)

@darylfortney8081 2 жыл бұрын

Still waiting on my Key grinder

@BensCoffeeRants Жыл бұрын

Did it arrive yet!?

@darylfortney8081 2 жыл бұрын

Got the normcore and don’t like it at all

@BensCoffeeRants Жыл бұрын

I got another V4 Normcore tamper for the Europiccola (51.5mm supposedly) not sure if it's actually 51.5 it seems a bit loose around the edges, same as the cheaper no name one, it's easier to press down on the Normcore but the no name one kinda does feel / sound nicer when tamping! Both aren't as tight / precise as I'd like them to be leaving a little coffee on the edges with the La Pavoni Europiccola machine at least. I might just get a 'Happy Tamper' and use it with interchangeable bases for the 51mm machine and 58mm one.