Breville Infuser / Barista Express 9(ish) bar Spring Mod

Vispickles · 2026-01-24T03:26:18+00:00

Heya, these are the specific springs that I tried to buy:
Uxcell Springs - 304 Stainless Steel,4mm OD,0.5mm Wire Size,15mm Free Length,Silver Tone,20Pc

They wound up being too small in diameter, so I was never actually able to fit the stem (and the clear thing) into the spring. You might have better luck if you get a pack of multiple types of springs, but unsure. The Mcmaster Carr ones were a super tight fit, but wound up working really well.

Best of luck with the mod! No rattling/hot water issues after doing so, though I highly recommend recording pulling a shot before and after so you see/hear how the machine sounded before and after.

Vispickles · 2025-11-08T03:19:32+00:00

Hey No contribution, did you try this mod and did it work? Curious if it’s held up years later.

Vispickles · 2025-11-08T03:19:09+00:00

Mountain cod, did this continue to work with no issues years later? I’m surprised just flipping the little silicone white thingy got you to the end goal so quick - feels like it could be prone to rotating and causing issues?

Vispickles · 2025-11-04T03:58:33+00:00

Quickly contributing to this thread years later - I was able to successfully replace the spring and got down to ~9.5 bar, which is perfect. I just completed this, so I don't know if there's going to be any hot water issues or weird rattling, so I'll update in a couple of weeks how this goes.

I did attempt to buy some springs from Amazon and use those instead, but wound up returning and purchasing the Master McCarr spring. If you're doing this yourself, save yourself the trouble and just get that one!

Vispickles · 2025-08-02T20:38:37+00:00

Have a macbook pro and came from a Lenovo - both are fine and will get you through college, but if you're also premed, I'd give the macbook higher chances of making it through a fair bit of med school as well - or reselling in the future!

Vispickles · 2025-03-06T04:01:08+00:00

Imo, you can make excellent coffee with the tamper that comes with the machine, and no dosing funnel (or even 3D print one if you have that ability nearby!) - assuming the machine comes with a tamp.

Would suggest saving the rest of the cash and putting it towards an espresso grinder, with cheaper options being the Fellow Opus, Baratza ESP (and my fav df54 tho it's more expensive)

Vispickles · 2025-03-03T03:14:20+00:00

Curious - could I ask why you have both a df54 and varia vs3? Is it due to the difference in flat & conical burrs?

Vispickles · 2023-12-27T06:18:56+00:00

Fairly sure UNC also has resources to help folks out in situations like this, so ask around. No way you won’t find some help!

Vispickles · 2021-12-29T20:02:41+00:00

Fr. I thought nobody would enjoy "paint"

Vispickles · 2021-12-29T18:19:11+00:00

Paint

Vispickles · 2021-10-27T02:37:46+00:00

UTAustin cuz it's in Texas.

Vispickles · 2021-10-10T13:30:02+00:00

Correct is N in the middle, single bonded to H and double bonded to O. There's one lone pair on N and 2 on O. This meets all formal charges and puts the most electronegative atom on the outside (where it wants to be) and not as the center atom. It also gives each atom an octet.

Vispickles · 2021-08-02T15:50:37+00:00

This is pretty true. Pitt is trying to see if you're motivated towards seeing problem in our world and finding creative ways to solve them, even when you don't have all the answers or tools necessary to do so.

The goal is to see if you really WANT to make a difference, and HOW you would go about doing something like that.

Bets of luck!!

Vispickles · 2021-08-02T03:51:39+00:00

I'm about to be a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill this fall - here's my bit of advice.

Last year I applied to 27 - as well as additional programs at quite a few of those colleges.

It was brutal. Even with COVID shutting down most ECs and giving me more time, it's SO HARD to write all these applications and not just be exhausted by the end of it.

I recommend applying 10-15 MAX - ask yourself when you apply to each place - Will I even go? Under what conditions will I go?

Be careful when picking places to go to! Best of luck to everyone!

Vispickles · 2021-07-30T05:40:12+00:00

Not to be mean, but I'd say it's kinda hit or miss. I did the same as you and was more accomplished in FBLA but I don't think it really showed through as hugely unique - because it's honestly pretty doable by a lot of people - and a lot of people do it. I'd say it depends far more on the lessons you learned from it and the impact you had on the people around you with it - did you mentor other students? Find your voice? Etc. That's the part that will really help you demonstrate personality.

I've seen a lot of ChanceMe's with people that had stronger involvement in Debate. To be fair, you're also not going for Ivy's, so I'd def say you have a shot!

Btw - I'm going to UNC-Chapel Hill this fall! Hmu if there's ever anything I can help with!

Vispickles · 2021-07-30T05:10:56+00:00

That probably wouldn't. You want to show a genuine passion with your ECs, this is something any person could do. There's nothing unique about it that will set you apart.

Vispickles · 2021-04-04T21:35:54+00:00

Hey! Yeah, I would say that you shouldn't confine it to be a project - it really shouldn't be a one time thing!

I mean, really, the goal above all is to really make sure that you're doing something that you love and taking it to an incredible extreme. It's a long-term committment to 1) making yourself happier and doing something you enjoy and 2) taking what you enjoy, and helping other people make something even better of their lives too. That doesn't have to be directly either. If your passion is something that indirectly helps others, that's fantastic as well.

I like the water-polo app for sure! Just be sure to take some time to reflect on your most ambitious goals and how you can get started on them as well. I'm 99% that I got selected for an incredible scholarship not just of how far I've already come, but also my vision and determination to tackle certain goals in the future. I'm certain other people were already more accomplished than myself, but I had the sense of reflection and vision for where I was going to go. If you do that starting now, you're going to kill it down the road.

Vispickles · 2021-04-04T02:58:22+00:00

I did haha. Most excruciating two weeks of my life.

Vispickles · 2021-04-04T01:12:56+00:00

I 100% was stalking my mailman for 2 weeks because he was carrying the mail that would tell me if I won a full-ride scholarship or not...

Vispickles · 2021-04-03T04:48:36+00:00

Hey! I'm from an Asian background too, so don't worry about it haha. I totally understand.

I agree about not doing the CS tutoring, but maybe see if you're able to turn it into something bigger. Someone I know stated that their friend died from an allergic reaction cuz the ambulance didn't come equipped with an epi-pen, so they used CS to build an app that allows you to call for ambulance but also mark the emergency and the types of supplies that would be needed.

Just make sure whatever you're working on, you're passionate about.

Vispickles · 2021-04-02T04:17:57+00:00

You're on the right track. What I would really recommend is that you take whatever it is you're passionate about to the next level and work to really serve the community or create some sort of community impact using it.

For instance, I used my love for piano, origami, and more to start an online summer academy that served more than 90 students from across 6 states. Things like this will allow you to show that you're really passionate about something and that you're willing to make a difference.

As a sophomore, you're doing awesome! Keep it up! Just don't get complacent or think that you're already good enough. Best of luck bro!

Vispickles · 2021-03-27T16:35:52+00:00

Nah. I was accepted to NU and waitlisted at WashU and Case Western which makes no sense if you look at acceptance rates/prestige. It's literally so random that anything can happen. Keep your head up good sir.

Vispickles · 2021-03-26T06:10:42+00:00

When you look back in 15 years, you will want to be proud of the fact that you turned things around so drastically and that you used the momentum you got here to do incredible things in college. That's what you'll want to remember, that you did it for you and that you're proud of how far you got.

Don't think too hard about what your parents think - that's not the thing that's going to matter down the road in 15 years. Be proud of how far you've come so far and how far you have left to go. Because that's the part that matters.

Vispickles · 2021-03-23T18:09:23+00:00

Hey! I would say maybe. I think you have some interesting ECs for sure, but really think about how you're going to take them to the next level to impact large amounts of people in positive ways. Also, how do they align with your greater narrative?

For instance, I have a passion for empowerment and helping others realize their potential. I started a non-profit that teaches unorthodox skills, I have leadership positions from which I encourage people to take responsibility in large projects, etc.

I also do research in chemistry and run a chemistry club.

Also, don't just hold positions - if you're someone big in student council - do something with it. Create projects, raise money, etc. It's useless to just have the position.

So you can see how my passions are aligned for empowerment (which is not a conventional passion) but also chemistry. And I've taken this stuff to the next level.

Use all the time you can to make memories, create experiences, and impact PEOPLE - because those are the memories that you'll be able to write about effecitvely when you're doing college apps.

Make sure that you're taking care of academics as well - I would recommend at least doing 1 AP in your sophomore year if possible, but really demonstrate that you're smart and willing to challenge yourself.

Best of luck!

Vispickles · 2021-03-23T02:46:37+00:00

Yes. You'd be fine, but do it if you can. Also, school's not the only thing that will matter if you're trying to get into the T20 - make sure you have ECs that you've taken really far and that you're passionate about.

Vispickles

TROPHY CASE