OLD MATE (formerly Medgrind)

[This Is My Vapestick]

I haven't personally seen anyone advocate for rushing the process or for making sacrifices to quality of life or products?

but if you're dropping $350 on a grinder then you're likely aware that Ben is extremely focused on releasing the best product he can which comes at a cost of time.

My intent wasn't to imply that anyone is advocating he rush. Apologies if I came off that way.

I was attempting to communicate that anyone willing to invest $350 in a very high-end grinder, in particular a grinder from OMD, is likely aware that Ben is extremely focused on releasing the best product he can which comes at a cost of time.

You're probably aware that a lot of people are genuinely interested in the production process. Watching the videos certainly factored into bringing my attention to Ben and the items he crafts under Old Mate. I think even the short videos provide a lot of value and add something that you really don't get anywhere else. I'm curious as to how many he's able to produce per day now that he's up and running and would love to see more footage of the machines in action. For me, the more I understand about the workmanship and techniques that contribute to the finished product, the more I appreciate everything about it.

I 100% agree with you on all these points. It's not often you get to see this level of craftsmanship in action.

 

[Drsoapp]

Got Aroma 3 as my first grinder, should arrive tomorrow. Very excited to see how it compares to the scrissor method

 

[Drsoapp]

Now it arrived. It is just what i wanted it to be. Amazing grind, fun to play with and very high quality. Even works as a perfect stand for the couchlog as it has magnetized base.

 

[El Peligroso]

Thinking about spoiling myself and buying this beast.

Only questions I have are:

1) I like to flip it upside down to get a finer grind, and it will inevitably be turned upside down from daily storage/usage anyway. So how much spills out when its upside down?

2) The grease. I know I need to take the bearing out before cleaning it but over the years will I need to grease the bearing?

3) Related to #3, can I use food safe oil + beeswax instead of bearing grease if I do need to re-grease it?

4) How easy does flower get into the bearing?

 

[Drsoapp]

Thinking about spoiling myself and buying this beast.

Only questions I have are:

1) I like to flip it upside down to get a finer grind, and it will inevitably be turned upside down from daily storage/usage anyway. So how much spills out when its upside down?

2) The grease. I know I need to take the bearing out before cleaning it but over the years will I need to grease the bearing?

3) Related to #3, can I use food safe oil + beeswax instead of bearing grease if I do need to re-grease it?

4) How easy does flower get into the bearing?

1 not so suitable for that

2. No need to grease it if you don't strip the grease with iso or something like that.

3. Idk, i would just buy a new better bearing if i needed to swap it.

4. If you don't turn it upside down while grinding then never

 

[vividchicken133]

Thinking about spoiling myself and buying this beast.

Only questions I have are:

1) I like to flip it upside down to get a finer grind, and it will inevitably be turned upside down from daily storage/usage anyway. So how much spills out when its upside down?

2) The grease. I know I need to take the bearing out before cleaning it but over the years will I need to grease the bearing?

3) Related to #3, can I use food safe oil + beeswax instead of bearing grease if I do need to re-grease it?

4) How easy does flower get into the bearing?

Id like to extend elaborate on some points of Drsoapp

1) the design has a gap between the body and the top, you will likely have spill. There is a video from Ben where he explains some adjustment if that is something you still want to do with less gap

. A BCG seems a bit more suitable for that kind of usecase with flipping over

2+3) the default bearing is sealed and, from my understanding, will never need to be regreased under normal usage for several years. But one can pop off the seals of the bearing, degrease it and then re-lube with a food oil (I think I recall someone mentioning guac oil? it needs to be shelf stable as it will sit for a while). Then put on the seals or leave them off

4) given that you leave the standard bearing with its seal, not an issue. High quality bearing that are overkill for this application

Some people will take off the seals, degrease & regrease with a lighter oil to get better spin times. But if that is done, do it with a food safe oil, IMO. Your questions sounds more towards maintenence, those bearings should not leak in or out

 

[This Is My Vapestick]

Thinking about spoiling myself and buying this beast.

Only questions I have are:

1) I like to flip it upside down to get a finer grind, and it will inevitably be turned upside down from daily storage/usage anyway. So how much spills out when its upside down?

2) The grease. I know I need to take the bearing out before cleaning it but over the years will I need to grease the bearing?

3) Related to #3, can I use food safe oil + beeswax instead of bearing grease if I do need to re-grease it?

4) How easy does flower get into the bearing?

While browsing through oldmatedesigns.com just now, I found the FAQ.
@El Peligroso, here it is, straight from the horse's mouth.

 

[El Peligroso]

Id like to extend elaborate on some points of Drsoapp

1) the design has a gap between the body and the top, you will likely have spill. There is a video from Ben where he explains some adjustment if that is something you still want to do with less gap

. A BCG seems a bit more suitable for that kind of usecase with flipping over

2+3) the default bearing is sealed and, from my understanding, will never need to be regreased under normal usage for several years. But one can pop off the seals of the bearing, degrease it and then re-lube with a food oil (I think I recall someone mentioning guac oil? it needs to be shelf stable as it will sit for a while). Then put on the seals or leave them off

4) given that you leave the standard bearing with its seal, not an issue. High quality bearing that are overkill for this application

Some people will take off the seals, degrease & regrease with a lighter oil to get better spin times. But if that is done, do it with a food safe oil, IMO. Your questions sounds more towards maintenence, those bearings should not leak in or out

I saw that video and was wondering if anyone here has done that adjustment then done a before/after for how much flower falls out.

Yeah, mainly maintenance related because i've had a santa cruz shredder for more than 10 years now and the aluminum is showing in some parts. Just want one that'll last forever.

SS BCG looks nice for the upside down usage and the fact it weighs less so I won't damage furniture/body parts (jk), but it still has that PTFE o-ring that experiences friction + the blades contact each other since it isn't advertised there's zero contact. The aroma-3's grinding pieces im told have no contact outside of the bearing, so for something that I want to last 20+ years it seems like the safter bet.

 

[Shit Snacks]

I saw that video and was wondering if anyone here has done that adjustment then done a before/after for how much flower falls out.

Yeah, mainly maintenance related because i've had a santa cruz shredder for more than 10 years now and the aluminum is showing in some parts. Just want one that'll last forever.

SS BCG looks nice for the upside down usage and the fact it weighs less so I won't damage furniture/body parts (jk), but it still has that PTFE o-ring that experiences friction + the blades contact each other since it isn't advertised there's zero contact. The aroma-3's grinding pieces im told have no contact outside of the bearing, so for something that I want to last 20+ years it seems like the safter bet.

Yeah I think you're going to need to make a compromise, I do not grind upside down with this, but I do with BCG (after having two with SLX and SCS, BCG is so much better for that in my experience), and there are other options that you might want to explore... OMD is really good as is, maybe you would be okay to just get more fine plate instead

 

[TigoleBitties]

Now it arrived. It is just what i wanted it to be. Amazing grind, fun to play with and very high quality. Even works as a perfect stand for the couchlog as it has magnetized base.

You've inspired me. I waited too long to grab a "forever" grinder so I finally pulled the trigger on a SS Aroma-3 from VGoodiez. Buy once, cry once

 

[vividchicken133]

Regarding where Ben is with the XLs:

someone asked on his latest video, I cant link to the comments, here is the video

and the comments

> Can we get an update on how many founders editions have shipped?

his reply, yesterday

> just over half. I am working on a fixture at the moment so i can tripple my production output. Its delayed things a week or 2 but will mean i can catch up faster. I am filming this for you and will update asap. Sory for the delay!

Sounds good to me, I'm excited for more shop updates!

 

[mcscruffy]

I forgot to follow up after I finally got to use my XL but I'm extremely happy with it. I didn't try grinding upside down for obvious reasons but I had no material at all escape from the sides even when I fully loaded it. I think Ben said he made the lip on the lid deeper to address this... not sure if that was implemented on mine or not, but so far there is zero mess.

I LOVE IT. More than my titanium Aromas. The huge surface area is a dream and keeps my fingers cleaner not having to break larger flowers up like with the normal size.

In the hand, it actually almost felt lighter than my buddy's regular stainless steel Aroma, but I think the larger dimensions distribute the weight so it feels closer than I expected it would. I definitely prefer the decision to engrave the bottom and leave the sides and top untouched. It looks quite elegant in an industrial way.

Grinding is effortless (much more so than my Aroma-Tis) and the result was medium just leaning toward the coarse side. I've found the grind pretty ideal for my TB2 (soon to be tested in the Frolic as well) and Tempest (1&2). I noticed no real difference with the Mighty+ using dosing capsules, though.

The spoon is awesome but for things like the Tafee Bowle 2 it is a bit too big (by ~3mm) to use for tamping and clean loading though I did anyway.

I still wish the spoon was designed to fit in the top compartment (it would need to be about a cm shorter and have a groove to account for the middle post), but that is the most minor of niggles and if my only constructive feedback is regarding this then it should be obvious I consider the grinder itself to be nigh perfect. I don't think I ever need to buy another grinder again at this point... unless Ben comes out with different grind levels or plates!

It's such a beautiful piece of craftmanship. Thanks Ben!

 

[This Is My Vapestick]

Regarding where Ben is with the XLs:

someone asked on his latest video, I cant link to the comments, here is the video

and the comments

> Can we get an update on how many founders editions have shipped?

his reply, yesterday

> just over half. I am working on a fixture at the moment so i can tripple my production output. Its delayed things a week or 2 but will mean i can catch up faster. I am filming this for you and will update asap. Sory for the delay!

Sounds good to me, I'm excited for more shop updates!

Not nearly as far as I expected him to be, but it certainly makes sense that progress was paused as new hardware is implemented to vastly increase output. I'm in no rush to get mine, but happy to see things will get easier for him.
Thanks for pointing this out, @vividchicken133. It hadn't occurred to me to look for an update in the comments of his YT videos.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yeah I am in no rush, just hoping I get light blue and orange options for my plastic plates even though I will probably mostly be using the SS plate on top regardless