What’s on your coffee bench?

[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by scoobydrew

Some very nice grinders on the way! I've heard and read over and over that the MC4 is the jam. Very curious to try (read: own) one myself, but I just received my Flat MAX with the SW burrs about 6 months ago.

Nice score! How did you end up getting one?

Yeah, can’t wait to try the MC4 after owning the Versalab for a very long time. I just poured a bunch of money into it to upgrade to the M4, new burr set from SSP and new wipers. It’s been an awesome grinder, especially with the upgrades.

Oh well, need to get the newest and most shiniest thing out there ( especially since it’s kind of made of unobtanium ), isn’t that consumerism at its finest???

[crankles]

Originally Posted by SoCalSteve

As for the Kafatek, I think it’s spoken for already. They are hard to come by, for sure. I’ve gotten really lucky with getting his grinders, most people haven’t been.

well, just in case...I'm getting in line..ps. don't throw it up over on home-barista ;-)

[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by crankles

well, just in case...I'm getting in line..ps. don't throw it up over on home-barista ;-)

I promise I won’t. If the original guy flakes, it’s yours! Comes with 3 burr sets and all the swag that Denis sends with them. I have the box as well or you could make a trip to socal and pick it up yourself.

Anyway, we are still a bunch of months off. He said July, who knows with the craziness that’s going on in the world now….

[scoobydrew]

Originally Posted by SoCalSteve

Nice score! How did you end up getting one?

Yeah, can’t wait to try the MC4 after owning the Versalab for a very long time. I just poured a bunch of money into it to upgrade to the M4, new burr set from SSP and new wipers. It’s been an awesome grinder, especially with the upgrades.

Oh well, need to get the newest and most shiniest thing out there ( especially since it’s kind of made of unobtanium ), isn’t that consumerism at its finest???

I was able to get in on the pre-order last February.

From the recent batches, it seems like there have been little to no delays on Denis meeting the timelines so hopefully it turns out the same for you. Are you sticking with the stock MC4 color scheme or will you add some black or red accents?

I'm still waiting for Denis to re-stock the LevTamps. Apparently he's got all the parts in hand, but he's been prioritizing getting the grinders manufactured and shipped.

[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by scoobydrew

I was able to get in on the pre-order last February.

From the recent batches, it seems like there have been little to no delays on Denis meeting the timelines so hopefully it turns out the same for you. Are you sticking with the stock MC4 color scheme or will you add some black or red accents?

I'm still waiting for Denis to re-stock the LevTamps. Apparently he's got all the parts in hand, but he's been prioritizing getting the grinders manufactured and shipped.

Both will be stock. Figured I spent enough on 2 grinders, don’t need to spend more on anodizing. Denis said the anodizing takes a whole bunch of time, I wonder if I’ll get mine sooner since there is minimum anodizing…

Did you do the online 30 second or you lose out for another 4 months or did Denis give you the preorder?

[Mr B]

I think I'd rather walk into a brick-and-mortar coffee shop and buy a new Aeropress...

[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by Mr B

I think I'd rather walk into a brick-and-mortar coffee shop and buy a new Aeropress...

Too bad you got ripped off for $4.95, brick and mortar stores don’t charge shipping cuz you walked in…

[Mr B]

...which is why I nixed my cart before hitting 'order'!

[Bici-Sonora]

In this discussion of high end grinders, with my hand crank Peugeot and refurbished Aeropress, I’m feeling a little like the guy who shows up for the club ride with down tube shifters (guilty as charged). Y’all did get me curious and to look up the MC4 to see *** all the fuss was about. Looks like medical equipment to me—but I see that it does use SKF bearings


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[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by Bici-Sonora

In this discussion of high end grinders, with my hand crank Peugeot and refurbished Aeropress, I’m feeling a little like the guy who shows up for the club ride with down tube shifters (guilty as charged). Y’all did get me curious and to look up the MC4 to see *** all the fuss was about. Looks like medical equipment to me—but I see that it does use SKF bearings


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I am sure your AeroPress makes a great cup of coffee. These grinders are very specific tools doing very specific jobs. Along with these grinders, special beans are used as well as specific water and other tools along with an espresso machine. When done correctly, there is nothing like the taste of a ristretto pulled perfectly.

[scoobydrew]

Originally Posted by SoCalSteve

Both will be stock. Figured I spent enough on 2 grinders, don’t need to spend more on anodizing. Denis said the anodizing takes a whole bunch of time, I wonder if I’ll get mine sooner since there is minimum anodizing…

Did you do the online 30 second or you lose out for another 4 months or did Denis give you the preorder?

I was able to get my online order through within that 30 second window, making sure I was logged in and had my payment method set up beforehand.

Originally Posted by Bici-Sonora

In this discussion of high end grinders, with my hand crank Peugeot and refurbished Aeropress, I’m feeling a little like the guy who shows up for the club ride with down tube shifters (guilty as charged). Y’all did get me curious and to look up the MC4 to see *** all the fuss was about. Looks like medical equipment to me—but I see that it does use SKF bearings

It's definitely very niche - for those who want to geek out on coffee as Steve mentioned.

Most of the components are manufactured in Seattle, including the burrs and the machined body. Other parts like the motor and bearings are sourced from established manufacturers (SKF for the bearings as mentioned).

In terms of the craftsmanship and niche-ness, I see it as somewhat analogous to a custom frame builder.

[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by scoobydrew

I was able to get my online order through within that 30 second window, making sure I was logged in and had my payment method set up beforehand.



It's definitely very niche - for those who want to geek out on coffee as Steve mentioned.

Most of the components are manufactured in Seattle, including the burrs and the machined body. Other parts like the motor and bearings are sourced from established manufacturers (SKF for the bearings as mentioned).

In terms of the craftsmanship and niche-ness, I see it as somewhat analogous to a custom frame builder.

Absolutely!!! Think Dave Kirk meets Craig Calfee meets Richard Sachs meets Bob Parlee. Anyway, one of the many parts of this process is the fact that it’s an American product. Designed, built and mostly all American parts. Hard to find these days…

The Versalab doesn’t get the joy that many other high end grinders get, but it was the first single dose all American made grinder on the market, it’s still a beast of a grinder!

[goonster]

Originally Posted by SoCalSteve

Along with these grinders, special beans are used as well as specific water and other tools along with an espresso machine.

Legit cannot tell if this tongue-in-cheek, or not.

[ripvanrando]

I am pretty sure Steve is serious. I'm an espresso "Fred" with grease on my calf. Water is critical and so are the beans. It took me three tampers before I found one that I like, sort of like handlebars. Then, there are the cleaning supplies. And glassware.

[sg8357]

Originally Posted by goonster

Legit cannot tell if this tongue-in-cheek, or not.

Does the grinder plane ?, is the water stiff yet compliant ?
Alloy tamper or Depleted Uranium tamper ?