senorswiss Senior Member Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 109 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, usa Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Silvia Grinder: espresso: EB, others:Maestro... Vac Pot: Moka Pot Drip: French Press, Aero Press Roaster: Modified HG/BM
Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008, 11:13am Subject: Quick Weiss Distributor
I was going to wait until I made a nicer one to post this, but I've been too busy to get that done. So, here is the prototype, so to speak.
Actually, the first one I made had about 15 pins in it. I thought I'd simply spin the foam part about it's axis, but this ended up just turning the entire amount of ground coffee rather than distributing it.
So I went down to 4 needles (it's actually pieces of floral wire for now), and instead of spinning it about the center of the foam, I move the whole thing about the center of the pf. I'm not sure how clear that is.
The picture kind of shows the range of each of the 4 pins (although crudely), but by turning the foam as I "mix" the grounds, I can effectively cover the entire pf. The whole point of this is that I can distribute the grounds quickly with one or two flicks of my wrist, rather than using a single needle in a cork, which takes a bit longer. Admittedly, this method is a little messier, but practice is helping.
I think I would benefit from some slightly thinner wire/needles, and I'd like to make the hand-held part out of rubber or cork. Maybe others have already done something like this, but I've not seen it anywhere before.
I have a suggestion. Get some of that black foam which is used to store and ship ICs. Put a layer of it next the your green foam to electrically connect your needles together. The black foam may not be strong enough to use alone but with the green foam backing it you should be fine.
I just rubber-banded two dissecting needles together and they are very stable and work extremely well. See the original WDT article for a picture of a dissecting needle. Michael
I have a suggestion. Get some of that black foam which is used to store and ship ICs. Put a layer of it next the your green foam to electrically connect your needles together. The black foam may not be strong enough to use alone but with the green foam backing it you should be fine.
Phil, It's an interesting idea, but I don't have any problems with static in the pf (is that why you suggest it?). Also, unless I were to use a grounding strap, it wouldn't conduct away any of the charge that might be present...although it would make sure the charges (as well as the coffee) are evenly distributed! Did I misinterpret your idea?
I just rubber-banded two dissecting needles together and they are very stable and work extremely well. See the original WDT article for a picture of a dissecting needle. Michael
Micheal, that seems like that's a nice, simple solution. Seems like it is probably easier to manipulate with the hand, although I am trying for a single-flick method, at this point.
Yes, static is what i was thinking of. It is my belief that static is a major part of clumping. I use a tiny wire wisk which I bought at a cooking supply store.
Phil
senorswiss Said:
Phil, It's an interesting idea, but I don't have any problems with static in the pf (is that why you suggest it?). Also, unless I were to use a grounding strap, it wouldn't conduct away any of the charge that might be present...although it would make sure the charges (as well as the coffee) are evenly distributed! Did I misinterpret your idea?
Micheal, that seems like that's a nice, simple solution. Seems like it is probably easier to manipulate with the hand, although I am trying for a single-flick method, at this point.
Yes, static is what i was thinking of. It is my belief that static is a major part of clumping. I use a tiny wire wisk which I bought at a cooking supply store.
A tiny whisk! That, I like! I guess I was imagining the static as I used to see in the hopper of my Baratza Maestro Plus, so I misunderstood what you were referring to. Thanks for the clarification.
Come to think of it, I think I have a bitty whisk myself somewhere. I'll see if I can dig it up.
I'd just like to add that I really get a kick seeing people's different spins on the WDT. Lots of great ideas out there. Can't wait for some enterprising coffeegeek to develop something and get it to market so I can stop fiddling with cheese wire. >_<
Here is the wisk in the funnel from my "Civilized Rocky" and a ridgeless double basket. "I civilized my Rocky" The items are sitting on top of the dental vibrator. I stir the grounds with the wisk with the vibrator running. The vibrator causes the grounds to return to the basket. After I see no more clumps I turn off the vibrator remove the funnel, level with my finger, then place the tamper on top and turn on the vibrator as I press down.
I won't say I never get a squirty but this seems to be working out for me. The bottomless portafilter sure does keep me humble.
Phil
petuniaii Said:
Oooh! Can we see a pic, please?
Come to think of it, I think I have a bitty whisk myself somewhere. I'll see if I can dig it up.
I'd just like to add that I really get a kick seeing people's different spins on the WDT. Lots of great ideas out there. Can't wait for some enterprising coffeegeek to develop something and get it to market so I can stop fiddling with cheese wire. >_<
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