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If you don't feel like reading all of this, just check my two questions.
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I had never used or even held a grinder before. After reading this thread I felt much more educated about what I was looking for. Since then, I ran into a couple problems with my first grinder. I need some advice/clarifications.
I received a free 4 piece CNC grinder with my purchase of a Launch Box. The grinder came with a small ring sitting between the housing of the top and bottom part of the two grinders. I don't know what the material of this ring is but the two pieces of the grinder, responsible for grinding the herb, slides pretty easily over it.
When I first got the grinder, I washed it, ground up some paper towel, then used Qtips dipped in iospropyl to wipe off any dust. That way I would know if anything was coming off of the unit after a few dry grinds.
I dry-ground the unit, over a paper towel, without the ring. I noticed that there were small flakes of metal coming off of the grinder because I could see them on the paper towel. It seems the teeth on the top and bottom were touching the opposite sides of the casing. I decided to go through the entire washing process again and put the ring back on. I figured the ring is necessary.
On my second attempt, with the ring on, I did the dry grind above a paper towel. This time there were no flakes. I was pleased but I thought it was a little strange that I needed this ring. I decided to be thorough and do a wipe down of the casing with a Qtip dipped in isopropyl and was dismayed to see grey dust on the Qtip when I wiped the area where the upper and lower casings meet.
1. Is it normal to have to use a ring to separate the upper and lower grinder?
2. Is it normal to have a small amount of metal dust come off of the grinder, where the housings meet?
If I haven't been clear, please ask. I'd rather not have to buy an expensive grinder but I will if the concensus is that I have a crapper grinder, I will. Thanks everybody!