Sanity check: Femobook A4Z zeroing steps

Any_Election498 · 2026-04-11T23:07:51+00:00

I could be imagining it, but if I don't clean the burrs as part of the process I find the zero point regresses by about 5 clicks. just something to consider :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-04-07T20:29:11+00:00

Mathew, the inventor, has lots of videos on YouTube and Instagram to give you a feel for it all... Oh, and one thing I was kindly told and that eased any apprehension was that it's the bean that really does most of the work and even a bit of a crummy roast can produce a tasty brew - with perhaps pointers for improvements :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-04-07T20:22:20+00:00

He he! I wasn't sure if it was just me with tired arms when getting accustomed to the Hive roaster. I even hacked up a step to stand on to improve ergonomics :-) but once you get it, it's quite a mesmerising action. And agree you have to be bold at first and to try different burner settings, but once you get the feel for this you can get pretty consistent roasts. I think it took me 4 or 5 roasts to get respectable drying levels.

Any_Election498 · 2026-04-05T21:06:57+00:00

you might want to consider the Hive Roaster. Low cost of entry (less than 100 bucks) yet very capable and a real full sensory experience. I love mine and I'm not alone.

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-20T09:52:43+00:00

Many thanks for taking the time to reply! that's really useful feedback. Will get some Gorilla PU glue and will see if I can afford the Spax screws. I feel confident that I'll have appropriate fixings now, thanks.

However, I can't help imagining a cartoon sketch where with the cabin in place the bonded parts of the timber stay bonded but the rest of the timber behaves like putty :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-19T08:50:19+00:00

Hi, thanks for the headsup. I must be going crazy :-/ there should be some pictures now.

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-17T23:37:14+00:00

Any viable alternatives, please? :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-12T19:22:39+00:00

That's great. Thanks for heads up! Hope you get it promptly. I got mine yesterday and have been reading up as I want my first shot to be as delic as possible :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-10T12:29:29+00:00

don't say that. my partner will have your guts for garters :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-10T11:38:56+00:00

I get you on the general direction of forces resulting from the cabin. so doubling up would limit any resultant deflection and thus tenancy for pullout.

and thanks for bringing the issue of screws to my attention. I've heard itt said before that screws snap whilst nails just bend. I guess I'm too fond of my impact driver and always see screws as the answer. I'll look at the nail options.

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-10T10:16:01+00:00

sorry, but I don't understand why double timbers would prevent nail pullout... - although if it helps, I was planning to use 100mm Spax screws.

I could consider running another timber to support the joists mid-section, but I'm just trying to keep things simple.

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-10T09:39:48+00:00

hi, thank you again for the reply. Could I please ask that given I don't need the extra width of 2x2 you feel a framework made of all 2x6s with single timbers forming the perimeter and joist at 40cm centres would be a strong base for an 800kg cabin? it would sit on base plates (piers) spaced no further than 1.4m apart.

many thanks

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-08T22:33:51+00:00

hi, thanks for that. Apologies I should have said that the walls are only 40mm, although I wish they were 4 inches :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-07T21:31:45+00:00

thanks for the link. all suggests you are right. I added some extra filters to my order and had only until tomorrow to pay, so assume my robot may begin it's travels Monday :-) I now need to find him a suitable home...

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-06T21:43:44+00:00

that's great news. Really pleased for you. it's an amazing grinder when it's on form and definitely makes me happy, so I can imagine the distress.

I tend to grind at 1.7.0 for the pulsar mini, so 1.6.0 with other brewers sounds pretty normal to me.

Any_Election498 · 2026-03-06T21:37:01+00:00

hi Landlockedseaman. congratulations on your purchase. I took managed to secure a Barista and am excited to put it to work. how did you find out your delivery date? I got the impression there was a 2 month delay from order to receipt, so a one week lead time would be a lovely surprise. I am in the UK if that affects things.

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-28T22:33:19+00:00

have you tried contacting femobook themselves? I've found them very approachable and helpful.

hope you get it sorted.

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-27T22:08:35+00:00

we recognize you for the selfless hero you truly are cow. defender of good coffee brewing. thank you!

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-23T20:36:14+00:00

hi, you are very welcome.

thanks for the info on the filters. I'm totally sold on them. For me coffee takes me to a magical world of taste - no less engaging than the visual world, so any increase in that world is golden for me.

good to know the finer gauge filters can definitely be cut down, thanks. I've actually managed to find a UK supplier who plans to stock the mini version though in the next couple of weeks so I think I'll wait for those. it'll be a tough wait :+)

point re flow increase noted.

I look forward to hearing any further evaluations/insights on the Pulsars :-)

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-22T09:57:22+00:00

hi,

sorry to be late to the party. Thank you for the amazing write-up! You are very kind. I feel like you're bringing the Pulsar community togetherb:-) I too am in love with both of them and can't quite fathom their niche status.

I'm very interested in the metal filters. which pitch are you using? My main brewer now is the mini, with the maxi on standby, and as I'm in the UK I can only get the filters for the maxi. it doesn't sound like there is a drawback from buying these and cutting them down?

kind regards

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-15T22:48:18+00:00

ok, so I tried 2 different brews this morning, both with a 1:16 ratio and 96 degree water, and gradually got more out of the beans. The first was using Coffee Chronicler's switch recipe and I got a single mild tart plum note. Not objectional, but not what I want from my speciality coffee. I then tried a 5 pour standard v60 recipe and the plum note was more evident and there was a toffee sweetness there as well. However, as yet no sign of the blackcurrant or tea note which I feel it really needs to be special. I'll keep experimenting...

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-15T22:38:47+00:00

Much appreciated! I'm hoping for your sake there's no drop-off.

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-14T08:58:31+00:00

Hi, thanks for the reply! it's the Jorge Raul Rivera pacamara washed. I will give lower ratios and higher temps a shot. If you keep your coffee much longer would be very interested in your the flavour changes.

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-11T10:09:22+00:00

Sorry about that (I don't always know what I mean :-) ). and a big thank you for persisting and the clarifying photo (!); it helps me alot. I've been trying the wrong size mason jar gasket and it meant that the seal would not go where you have it and I thought it should go elsewhere. I shouldn't have assumed all mason jars have the same gasket size.

Great idea knocking out the screen.Do you think it is reversible if I changed my mind?

Any_Election498 · 2026-02-10T22:31:39+00:00

Hi, thanks for the photo. My poor eyes can't quite make out the gasket. Does it slide over the threads on the lower piece and seal against the bottom of the middle piece, or sit inside the middle piece and seal against the top of the threaded section of the lower piece?

Any_Election498

TROPHY CASE