I have one, doesn't appear to make any difference in the cup but it does make cleanup a little easier in that the pallo brush doesn't flick water everywhere as the bristles got stuck in the stock screen.....

As a side note, I took the opportunity to do the flat screw mod when I installed the IMS screen.... Well worth it!

 

@Simon_S how does the countersunk screw sit with the IMS screen? I'm interested in getting the kit, but can't see that it would work with a flat IMS screen. The kit comes with a countersunk shower screen, but would rather keep my IMS.

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tell me more about the flat screw mod!

 

I also have one on Silvia with the original screw it really is much easier to keep clean and seems to improve water flow

 

tell me more about the flat screw mod!

Basically replace the hex bolt in the centre of the shower screen with a countersunk screw, essentially allowing a bit more headroom and not damaging your puck pre-brew.......

http://www.schneordesign.com/Avi/SilviaMegaMod/Silvia9.htm

Super simple to do using a 10mm hss drill bit, a pair of mole grips and a 5x16mm stainless steel countersunk screw, I went with a hex drive (allen key) type as it's easier to remove for cleaning due to limited space to get a screwdriver up there.....

 

As an alternative, you can just replace the screw like this, without making it flush (so no need to drill anything):

I got mine here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M3-M4-M5-M6-A4-Stainless-Socket-BUTTON-Head-Screws-Allen-Key-Bolts-Hex-Marine/272855382495?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

It's an aesthetic thing more than anything else, so I would only bother if you care how it looks. It made no difference to the coffee IMO.

As for the question regarding the IMS screen - I got one for my new machine as well, so I guess I think it is worthwhile, though to be honest - I can't see any difference in the cup, and I am not even sure how much easier it is to keep clean. It does look nice though. 🙂

 

@Doram surely these still disturb the puck, or does the head not protrude as much as the stock one? I wasn't intending drilling anything, just buying the kit. Just wasn't sure that a countersunk bolt would work with the IMS screen that I own.

 

surely these still disturb the puck, or does the head not protrude as much as the stock one?

The button head protrudes a bit less than the stock screw, but based on a lot of reading + my own experience - neither cause any problem with the puck (you might get an impression of the screw on the puck if you basket is quite full, but if you are getting the screw to disturb the puck before you brew, you probably have too much coffee in the basket to begin with).

Think about it - Rancilio have been making the Silvia for over 20 years. The screw costs a few pennies. Would they really not bother to change it if they thought it causes any problem with the extraction? (And if you don't trust them to make this judgement, how can you trust them to make your machine at all?)

 

Not knocking the machine at all. But I have a 20g competition basket and the screw does disturb the puck and most likely is causing some sort of channeling.