roblumba wrote:Here's a batch of photos I took today. I'll probably take some more with naked portafilter once it arrives and I get the hang of it.

great pics and setup. what camera are you using?

It's a Canon 1D Mark II with a 24-70 2.8L.

I could do 8 FPS at 8.2 MP with fast focus tracking. Perhaps I'll get some action shots of a naked portafilter shot.

I am new to HB and find the website fascinating.
I have a 23 years old swiss machine - Armellin mini combi with a built in flat burr grinder and a pid controller added, a cup warmer to keep the cup warm while waiting for the machine to get to temperature, a home juice extractor conversion with the presso barista european curve head, a home made leveling tool, a solis grinder with the shaft grounded (eliminated almost 99 percent of the static issue), Solis Sl 70 with the portafilter converted to bottomless and non-pressurized basket, an i-roast, sirocco (made by Siemens) and alpenrost roasters.
Armellin's commercial machines were used by Michelin 3 star restaurateur Fredy Girardet before he retired.
My dream machines: GS3 with the Mazzer Mini.
Just hope the prices are not as high due to Euro dollar conversion

On Monday we'll have 2 Gs3's and a Mazzer Conico (Robur) as well... I can't wait to do a shootout between the GS paddle group and the GS3!

-Wes

So what kind of thinking goes into making a decision for 2 GS/3's!

Are you thinking that in a market of falling housing prices, GS/3's will be a more stable investment?

roblumba wrote:So what kind of thinking goes into making a decision for 2 GS/3's!

Are you thinking that in a market of falling housing prices, GS/3's will be a more stable investment?

We are part of that elite group that Marzocco marketed towards called "caterers". The irony is that until Teme's blog review of the GS3, I haven't been able to find any info on the weight, a critical factor when lugging these things around. Our current machines, San Marco Prac 85's weigh about 100lbs. Needless to say, I've thrown my back out more then once. So for us, size and weight really are an issue.

-Wes

Hi Wes, AWESOME paddle wheel! Any chance on getting a few pictures of the innards ...........please

So I am definitely bringing down this thread's average equipment-prestige with this post. Bringing it down a lot. But what the hell ... I, like the last Gaggia poster a few pages back, am still a student. Luckily my roommate doesn't mind me taking over an entire counter for coffee supplies.

Yes, that's an old Gaggia Espresso. Yes, the housing is plastic. And yes, I realize that my espresso cups are worth more than my machine. But for the life of me, the darned Gaggia just keeps plugging away. Perfect for my budget. Maybe if I keep getting those cups as gifts, someone will trade me for a better machine

Rocky and Sirena, with bottomless Gaggia PF; without panarello sleeve. Possibly the best Saeco semi-auto yet, with a configuration similar to the Gaggia Baby Twin & Ascaso Steel Duo: boiler for brewing plus thermoblock for steaming. Now, if only we had 220V house current in this country!

703Eric wrote:Hi Wes, AWESOME paddle wheel! Any chance on getting a few pictures of the innards ...........please

Paddle wheels are for ferries...
There's a fair amount of rust in there. You may be better of judging this book by the cover. I intend to rebuild it at some point but it's been working well so I hate to tear it down for aesthetic reasons. As you might have been able to tell, I did PID it. I've been thinking that once I get the GS3's, I might consider a rebuild. Is there a particular part of the inards that you would like to know about?
In essence it's a mini Linea with a paddle on the group head. It's all original and the exterior is in excellent condition. Most of the rust is from a steam boiler leak. It's not leaking now so I've left well alone.
It's a fun machine to use and of course produces excellent shots. I need to replace the the steam wand
valve bushings at some point because it's a bit spongy and leaks if not cranked hard to shutoff.

It was a lucky find. I found it at a local restaurant supply company and they gave us a great deal because they didn't want to give us a warranty on it like they do on the rest of their equipment.....
Oh well...

-Wes