Tamping block.

Dry_bean.

As I indicated in another post I'm in Newcastle for about a week.
My son in law is also a coffee person, has a Silvia/Rocky combo and roasts his own in a coretto.
Yesterday after an oops slips while tamping on a Laminex surface which resulted in ground coffee everywhere he decided to make up a tamping block, very similar to one he made up for me about 6 years ago.
The benefits are, a very stable base to tamp on, much easier to control tamping pressure, it also allows gorilla force to be easily applied if you so desire, once tamped the coffee in the PF can be left in the base if you need to do something else before pulling the shot.
I've found mine to be invaluable, wouldn't be without it. :thumb:
The pics are pretty well self explanatory.

RichardM

Woah, gorgeous!

shape_shifter

Yep gorgeous, does he take orders?

Koffee_Kosmo

Yeaa baby I have been going to make one for a while because I want timber or cork Now I have to put it on the top of the list of jobs to do KK

Dry_bean.

on 1326856478:

Yep gorgeous, does he take orders?

We discussed that very thing this morning, about 3 hours including design, working out, set up and fabricate, it really is a labour of love, so the answer is no. Not all that difficult to do for anyone with basic woodworking skills and a few power tools, just time consuming. I really would be lost without mine.

Brett H

Really nice job!

Muscles

Would it match my handle and tamper???  :stir :rofl:

Dry_bean.

on 1326861592:

A labour of LOVE is the truth of the matter; for much of the wood work done by people like myself.. Unless they can be made in bulk and automated, the labour and materials costs is just out there... On an heavy duty CNC machine the  tamp station above would only take a short time...  The materials, base equipment and finishing then have to be included... $ouch I have one "part made" but rather than a block; I am using a sort of figure 8 lump of raw tree trunk...  The front is the tamp station (same concept as the one pictured) and the rear is machined as the tamp stand... Pics will follow at some stage... PS. I am in chat with a mate, and if he is willing to do the rough and dirty work (I provide the raw machined timber) on his CNC machine.  NOTE: We have already looked at possible issue re double spout and that may be a simple extra slots in the base. Would others be interested in purchasing (unknown cost at this stage) the raw machined block and doing their own polishing and or lacquering ? 2 styles... As above and another with a Tamp stand station located at the rear. PM me if your serious.

Hmmm, bit of a thread hijack going on here. :-|

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1326868017:

Sorry... Please feel free to move to another thread... The Tamp box I have always lusted after is by a guy in the USA... KK is well aware and it has been a background project for some time. Your great pics have just lighted the fire once again..

Yep its been a while, but not forgotten I am going to start tomorrow (fingers crossed) by laminating some rubberised cork  KK

Dry_bean.

on 1326868017:

Sorry... Please feel free to move to another thread... The Tamp box I have always lustehttp://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/Smileys/LightB/grin.gifd after is by a guy in the USA... KK is well aware and it has been a background project for some time. Your great pics have just lighted the fire once again..

Yep, know the feeling, sometimes enthusiasm overtakes us. If its ok with you think I will stick with the thread I started. ;D

Dry_bean.

This is the original block, made up many years ago, modified after I bought the Bezzera to take any size spout, single double you name it, not pretty but it was the prototype, works a treat.

Dry_bean.

If you want something shiny and commercial look here http://www.dibartoli.com.au/product/Cafelat_Tamping_Stand Nowhere near as versatile but will work fine for tamping.

Dry_bean.

on 1326882635:

So the one above... IS that stain of choice or coffee build up and stain over years of love and use  :coffee2:

10 years of daily use has taken its toll. ;D

Muscles

10 years and still going strong - I like it!

Dry_bean.

on 1326945819:

10 years and still going strong - I like it!

So do I. ;D

Dry_bean.

There is also this one http://clean-machine.com.au/Tamping_Station-_Exclusive_Black_-_Concept-Art.html Interesting, the rubber feet look like an ugly afterthought. I still think my block is more versatile.

Brett H

on 1328615599:

There is also this one http://clean-machine.com.au/Tamping_Station-_Exclusive_Black_-_Concept-Art.html Interesting, the rubber feet look like an ugly afterthought. I still think my block is more versatile.

Where's the price?

Dry_bean.

on 1328618487:

Where's the price?

No price mentioned, suggest you sit down when you ask.

derrilex

Put a post on CS last night as they were having the same discussion. No replies as of yet. I reckon it looks sterile and you still have to hold the PF.  Very Ikea

Dry_bean.

on 1328649258:

  Very Ikea

Very, good simile.

derrilex

Got a reply from CS. $99.00 for the concept art one. 

Dry_bean.

on 1328697269:

Got a reply from CS. $99.00 for the concept art one.

Try selling the block pictured in my first post for $50 and see what sort of reaction you get from the general public. ::)

derrilex

Just flog it with a chain to put some dents in it as sell it as "stressed" - gotta be worth $75, $120 in Melbourne  :rofl:

Dry_bean.

on 1328698764:

Just flog it with a chain to put some dents in it as sell it as "stressed" - gotta be worth $75, $120 in Melbourne  :rofl:

Guess that'd work. :thumb:

Brett H

on 1328697269:

Got a reply from CS. $99.00 for the concept art one.

Pfft... Tell 'I'm he's dreamin'!

Koffee_Kosmo

I have seen these concept art tamping stations at Barazi The stainless steel is about 3mm thick so its solid and heavy KK

derrilex

Still, where is the art in a piece of folded stainless ( espresso machines excepted of course)  :laugh: Each one identical, no personality and no individuality

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1328703026:

Still, where is the art in a piece of folded stainless ( espresso machines excepted of course)  :laugh: Each one identical, no personality and no individuality

Clinical form & function But I will still make my own KK

derrilex

Howwlllllllll

Jonty

I've got one of those concept art tamp stations.  Solidly built and I got it for slight less than $90, still haven't used it as I'm saving coins for the 'big purchase'.  I'm impressed with it

derrilex

Too much bling and not enough love for me