Volumetric Dosing Tool (VDT Tool)
The VDT Tool is a volumetric dosing tool for espresso. It trims the tamped puck to one set height, 0–13.7 mm below the rim, which you calibrate once to your machine with the coin in the box. The knob reads in 0.1 mm steps and a lock nut holds the setting. Sizes 49 to 58 mm.
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One puck height, set once for your machine
The VDT Tool sits on the basket and trims the tamped coffee to one set height. You calibrate that height once with the included coin: a faint imprint from the shower screen marks the right headspace. For a new coffee, the weight left after the trim is your dose.
A short skirt centres the ring on the basket lip; turn the ring clockwise and three blade bars trim the puck flat. The knob reads in 0.1 mm steps and a lock nut holds the setting, so you can note it and come back to it. Five magnets in the ring's seat add grip on magnetic baskets.
Why headspace matters
Headspace is the gap between the tamped puck and the shower screen. The coffee swells as it takes up water: with too little room the shot can channel, with too much the spent puck comes out wet. The right dose changes with bean and grind; the screen never moves, so the tool doses by height.
Which size to choose
Choose your basket size in the options: 49, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57 or 58 mm. It sits on the rim of double and triple baskets, spouted or bottomless. The basket must keep its full width from the rim down to the puck; check stock baskets that narrow below the rim first.
- 58 mm: E61 group heads, Gaggia Classic, Breville / Sage 58 mm models. Baskets at least 57.8 mm wide inside, lip up to 70 mm; not La Marzocco stock baskets.
- 57 mm: Lelit Anna, Anita and Diana.
- 54 mm: Breville / Sage Bambino and Barista Express.
- 51 mm: De'Longhi Dedica and La Specialista.
- 49 mm: La Pavoni Europiccola made before August 2000.
How to use it
Set the depth with the tool off the coffee: loosen the lock nut a quarter turn, turn the knob (clockwise is deeper), then turn the nut back, finger-tight. Trim only with the nut locked, turning the ring clockwise.
- Calibrate with the machine cold: dose 1–2 g extra, tamp, set about 2 mm shallower than you expect and lock.
- Turn the ring until the tool sits flat on the rim, then one more turn. Lift it and tap the loose grounds out.
- Lay the coin between centre and wall, lock the portafilter in, then take it out without a shot.
- A deep imprint: go 0.2–0.3 mm deeper and trim again. A faint one: that is your setting. No mark: new puck, 0.2 mm shallower.
- New coffee: dose 0.5–1 g extra, tamp, trim and weigh. That weight is your dose; brew, then adjust the grind to taste.
The knob shows tenths, the column whole millimetres; note the number. Tamp first with your own tamper. Keep the 2.0 mm PLA coin out of a hot group head, or use a steel washer of that thickness (M10, DIN 125).
Materials and care
Every part is 3D printed in matte black PLA, in one colour, with fine layer lines. The scale and figures are cut into the body, so nothing can wear off. Wash by hand in warm water and dry the threads; not dishwasher safe. PLA softens at about 55 °C.
What's in the box
- 1 × ring with 5 magnets
- 1 × arms with 3 ribbed pins
- 1 × knob
- 1 × lock nut
- 1 × foot
- 1 × coin
Portafilter, basket, tamper and scale not included.
Specifications
Sizes and fit
- Basket size
- 49, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57 or 58 mm (options)
Build
- Material
- Matte black PLA, one colour, 3D printed
Extras
- Setting range
- 0–13.7 mm below the rim
- Scale
- 0.1 mm steps, 2 mm per knob turn
- Brand
- Black Tamp
Black Tamp
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