Now that my grinder is sufficiently painted and functional, it’s time to align the burrs. I bought a set of SSP Red Coated Espresso burrs.
The alignment process can be done in one of two ways:
- Taking a hammer to the bottom burr carrier to adjust the push fit
- Upon manufacture, the bottom carrier is press-fitted over the motor shaft, then the entire motor assembly is press-fited into the grinder shell.
- This option is the most risky because the hammer impacts can knock the motor and shaft out of alignment.
- Cutting rings of sandpaper and sanding down the upper and lower burr carrier surfaces so that the surfaces are perpendicular with the rotation axis and flush with each other.
For most DIY garage people, the second option is the only feasible option.
Burr alignment can be observed by marking the mating surface of the burrs with a dry erase marker, reassembling the grinder, turning it on, then slowly easing the burrs together until they barely touch. You can see any rotational high spots if the marker wears off unevenly.
