I’m using this recently acquired bad boy here to brew my espresso (bought it for $40 used), after having used a nespresso capsule machine for a few years.
I have a bit of a hard time brewing a consistent Espresso with it though. Often the flow is absolutely terrible, and barely any water flows through the coffee, despite using the exact same amount of beans. I measure on a scale with 0.01g accuracy, not my regular kitchen weight.
Is the grind consistency really what’s messing it up for me? I’m using one of those “blender style” grinders at the moment and it has served me just fine for French press in the past, but I know they’re terrible for controlling the fineness of the grind.
As PurpleReign mentioned, a hand grinder will be taxing, but I’m also aware many people find it meditative. Buying a purpose-built espresso grinder will be easier than an all purpose or filter-built one. If you’re keeping to the budget spectrum, look at 1zpresso or Kingrinder.