OK, so my new FC-187 arrived today from Steven, 14 days from order. It is ALMOST perfect, and with the coupon it cost me only $13 delivered. It's only flaw is the female joint is dropped about 4mm into the can. The good news is that put the perc VERY low in the can which is great. So far I don't see any way that should be a problem. The perc works well and the draw is comfortable. It is a much better perc than my other 187, which will now go on a shelf.
I didn't get my request for a M2M instead of the flower bowl in fast enough, so I have another flower bowl that is useless to me, and a promise from Jane that she will add one to "your next order". I'll live. And given how much I like Steven's stuff there WILL likely be another order some time. Probably the FC Mod. Not soon, tho...
Steven, if you are watching you are still doing great work. Thanks.
So, here they are next to each other. The new one is on the right. It has a thicker base, a shorter can (by about 1/2") and a better perc very near the bottom. The perc being so high in the older one was one of the things I really didn't like but was livable. The two pieces are very close in total height because the MP stem on the new one has a little bigger angle, which is also an improvement to avoid any water in it.
I should be much happier with this one.
One last thing. Looking at the pic on my earlier post (above) of this piece from Steven's page, that sample also has the dropped joint so it wouldn't have been a surprise if I had looked close enough. That also suggests it is NOT a flaw, but intended, probably to get the perc lower. So from that perspective, this piece is about perfect.