clanofwolves Senior Member Joined: 27 Nov 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Raleigh, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Nov 27, 2012, 2:01pm Subject: Rocky Grinder vibration and noise
I have had and loved my Rancillio dozer-less Rocky Grinder for many, many years, it's the best grinder ever!
However, I have had an issue over the past few months. I'm not sure if this is a troubleshooting type forum, but I'm gonna give this a try:
Six months ago, my grinder began making a loud buzzing/horn sound and vibrate violently when the grinding process was engaged. Also, the motor would stop abruptly and not spin down as it would during the prior years of use. I disassembled the grinder body and components, thoroughly cleaned everything, and re-assembled it. Upon post clean-up start, the grinder acted in the exact same fashion as noted directly above. Frustrated, but knowing that the grinder was grinding, I continued to use it regardless of the noise/vibration. Happily, the noise/vibration went away two days later and it remained 'normal' for over four months. Sadly, the noise/vibration returned a month ago and stopped again for three days, but has been consistent ever since.
Only benefit is, it get's my teen girls out of bed easier plus, the vibration tamps the ground beans as it dumps it and it's easier to tamp.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,632 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Nov 27, 2012, 2:36pm Subject: Re: Rocky Grinder vibration and noise
Hi, welcome to the board.
The doSer is a personal choice thing and there is no benefit to the shot either way, I'm glad you like a grinder without a doser.
Best grinder ever? Well, not so much, years ago it was a very good bang for your buck but there are better grinders out there now so as my guess is that the bearings may be bad, it might be time to upgrade to a grinder that does not have the issues of large steps and, by todays standards, only so so performance in grind quality.
You might want to think about the Vario. It is a nice multi brew grinder that pulls great shots and still grinds for drip or press pot.
There isn't much inside the grinder but the bearings, burrs, carrier and grind adjustment. If you took it all apart and all looks good, see if there is any play in the lower burr on the motor shaft. It is the shaft that you are looking at.
YMMV!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Yeah...I went from a whirlybird to a Solis Maestro to the Rocky...and thought was you think for a while. I eventually realized that I had to alter my dose to get my extractions to run correctly on a consistent basis.
Then I did a little research and bought my first Macap M4...wow! what a huge upgrade from the Rocky! Is my Macap the best grinder ever...not even close, there's a whole plethora of commercial grade grinders out there that are better...i.e., they produce a better quality grind and (all other parameters the same) enable one to make better espresso shots.
All to say, yeah, the Rocky is pretty good, but there are much better grinders available...so, if upgrading is an option for you, I'd recommend considering that route.
clanofwolves Senior Member Joined: 27 Nov 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Raleigh, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Nov 27, 2012, 5:10pm Subject: Re: Rocky Grinder vibration and noise
Thanks for the feedback and my quoted comment 'the best grinder ever!' was meant to be a tong-n-cheek, with my problem and all. I'll check the play in the shaft, but I'm pretty sure this motor is not serviceable; at least Rancillio doesn't plan it to be for they only sell new motors, no parts for them.
Also, thanks for the advice on possible replacement units. I'll maybe look into those as well. The grinder is seven years old and is used 2-10 times a day...so we've done pretty good $$$ wise.
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