Weber Workshops Moonraker – Spirograph WDT-Tool for 58mm portafilters
Setting the Moonraker onto the portafilter, it grips instantly – the elastomer foot catches the rim. Then you turn it, slowly, and through the glass on top, you watch the gears run and the needles trace paths that never repeat. After two or three turns, you lift it off. The coffee bed sits even, loosened, ready for tamping.
The Weber Workshops Moonraker is a mechanical WDT tool with a patented gear mechanism. 10 needles, two thicknesses, two heights, spirograph paths – where other WDT tools trace the same line with every turn, the Moonraker keeps randomizing. Housing made of anodized aerospace aluminum, stainless steel, and chemically hardened glass. Available in two variants, Standard and Ultra. Coffee Coaching Club is the exclusive Swiss importer of Weber Workshops.
Bundle discount
🔧 Automatically cheaper from 2 pieces – no code needed
| Quantity (mix and match) |
Discount |
| from 2 pieces |
10% |
| from 3 pieces |
15% |
| from 4 pieces |
20% |
Applies to Moonraker, Unibasket, Blind Shaker (with and without magnet), and Really Nice Tamper – freely combinable with each other. Discount is deducted automatically in the cart. Details on our discounts page.
How the Moonraker works
WDT, the Weiss Distribution Technique, means: guiding needles through the ground coffee in the portafilter to break up clumps and homogenize the bed. With conventional WDT tools, the needles follow a circular path and trace the same grooves over multiple turns. The Moonraker instead uses a gear mechanism that moves the needles along spirograph, non-repeating paths – the more turns, the more homogeneous the bed. According to Weber Workshops, two or more turns are enough for an evenly prepared coffee bed.
The 10 needles are configured in two thicknesses (300 and 200 microns) and two heights: the longer ones break up clumps deep in the bed, the shorter ones smooth the surface. Neodymium magnets hold the needles in place – swapped in seconds, no tools needed. Through the glass on top, you can watch the gears mesh with every turn – not required, but you'll probably do it anyway.
Standard and Ultra
Functionally, both variants are identical – same needles, same housing, same motion. The difference is in the gearing: the Standard runs on a fiberglass-reinforced, antistatic, and self-lubricating polymer (food-safe, around 300 g), the Ultra on a solid brass gear train with resin-filled markings and polished surfaces (around 405 g). In the cup, you won't taste a difference. On the counter, it's a different object entirely – the Ultra sits heavier in the hand, and the brass gears turn behind the glass like clockwork.
At a glance
| Motion |
patented gear mechanism, spirograph (non-repeating) paths |
| Needles |
10 pieces, medical-grade stainless steel, 300 and 200 microns, two heights |
| Springs |
Copper alloy |
| Needle mount |
Neodymium magnets, tool-free swap |
| Housing |
anodized aerospace aluminum, stainless steel, chemically hardened glass |
| Gearing Standard |
fiberglass-reinforced polymer, antistatic, self-lubricating, food-safe |
| Gearing Ultra |
solid brass, resin-filled markings, polished surfaces |
| Weight |
approx. 300 g (Standard) / 405 g (Ultra) |
| Size |
approx. 75 mm diameter × 65 mm height |
| Compatibility |
58mm portafilters (18–24 g), optimized for Weber Unifilter/Unibasket |
| Included in delivery |
Moonraker (10 needles pre-installed), aluminum stand, 20 spare needles, cleaning brush |
Honestly: the limits
The needles can bend if you turn too fast or if they contact the basket rim – that's why 20 spare needles are included, and slow, even turning (two to four rotations) is recommended. Some in the community initially report a bit more channeling, until the grind size is adjusted to the new routine. The Moonraker isn't designed for baskets with a flat 90-degree rim; for baskets of a different size, the needles can be shortened. The Standard's polymer gearing runs smoothest with the occasional drop of mineral oil. And honestly: a simple needle tool achieves similar results with careful technique – the Moonraker isn't a requirement for good espresso.
Who the Moonraker is for
The Moonraker is a tool for the ritual, not for the checklist. Manual WDT with a simple needle tool delivers similar results in the cup with careful technique. The Moonraker removes some of the variability, but it's not a must.
Still, we use it every morning – not because we have to, but because the moment is enjoyable: set it on, turn slowly, glance through the glass, lift it off, tamp, pull the shot. A Bentley doesn't get you there faster, but the ride feels different. If you're the pragmatic type, the Normcore WDT Tool (exclusive Swiss importer) serves you just as well. If you enjoy the ritual, reach for the Moonraker. Whoever wants it knows why. That's our view, one of many.
What goes with it
The Moonraker is optimized for the Weber Workshops Unibasket and Unifilter . As an even foundation beforehand: a precise grinder like the EG-1 or the Key from our Weber Workshops Collection or a Varia single-dose grinder (exclusive Swiss importer). For the step after WDT: the Tamper – affordable from Normcore, or, for anyone who wants more, from Weber Workshops. For consistent dosing beforehand: the Normcore scales or the Acaia with app and flow-rate display.
Order directly online
The Moonraker can be ordered directly in our webshop, as Standard or Ultra. Delivery Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Click and Collect in Bern, Gerberngasse 44 or Zürich, Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Since not all products are permanently on display, it's best to get in touch briefly before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Standard or Ultra – which variant should I choose?
Functionally identical. The difference is the gearing: polymer (Standard, around 300 g) or brass (Ultra, around 405 g). The Ultra sits heavier in the hand, and the brass gears look like clockwork behind the glass. In the cup, you won't taste a difference.
Does the Moonraker fit my portafilter?
It's designed for 58mm baskets (18 to 24 g) and optimized for the Weber Unifilter and Unibasket. It fits most common 58mm portafilters from E61-Maschinen and La Marzocco. It's not designed for baskets with a flat 90-degree rim; for different sizes, the needles can be shortened.
How many turns are needed?
Weber Workshops recommends at least two turns. From our experience, two to four slow turns are a good starting point. Turning too fast or too often can stress the needles.
How do I care for the Moonraker?
It should turn easily with one finger. If not: remove the needles, clean the gearing with a cotton swab and a bit of mineral oil, remove coffee residue with the included brush.
Can I see the Moonraker before buying?
Yes. In the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zürich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b), we're happy to show these products live. Since not all are permanently on display, get in touch briefly beforehand.
How quickly is the Moonraker delivered in Switzerland?
2 to 4 business days Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein. Click and Collect available in Bern and Zürich.
Roastery tip
Freshly roasted coffee clumps at fine grind sizes – our Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight too, depending on the grinder. The Moonraker breaks up the clumps, and a simple needle tool does the same – the Moonraker just makes it repeatable, without you having to think about it. Three turns, lift off, done. And yes, you'll probably glance through the glass every time. The morning doesn't get shorter because of it, but it does get calmer. That's our recommendation, one of many.
