got a problem with my drip tray cover, the mesh part is coming off in a number of areas. What would be the best way to re-attach it? I dont have access to welding equipment.

here is a pic to try and illustrate the problem..

Try some JB Weld

I had one that did that. Bad welds on the mesh. Contact your vendor or VBM directly and see if they will replace it. JB Weld would be a messy solution, and probably would not work. You would be better off to solder weld it back to the tray. All you need is some flux, a soldering gun and some solder or have a welding shop tack it back on. I imagine it would not be more than a few dollars if the vendor/VBM does not replace it.

Soldering stainless is a bit more difficult. Use a phosphoric acid based flux.

Since the tray is flexible, solder may not have a long life.

A tack weld is stronger, but will probably mar the chrome surface.

The problem was a warranty issue about 4 years ago, so check with the vendor.

will see with vibiemme, problem is i bought the machine second hand and the manufacturing date is from 06

mine hasn't separated like that yet but I typically don't use my drip tray for a couple of reasons:

- water tends to splash and go behind the tray. Altho there's an opening for the water to
drain out, but it goes on the counter and both counter and machine needs to be wiped

- sorta a pain to clean the grid as it has sharp edges and I don't like getting cut by it

I use a rubbermaid container that is slightly taller than the exit spout to keep water from going
behind it. Cleanup is much easier, don't have to clean tray nor grid.

The added bonus is that the rubbermaid container complements the 2-liter coke bottle
doserless mod on the grinder...

being that he drip tray cover costs twice what the heating element does, you would assume that its design and construction would reflect that, but with proprietary parts it doesn't work that way. Stainless is a pain to deal with whether you use solder or epoxy. Silver solder may possibly be the way to go using a small, pinpoint style torch.Some research would be needed- I have never tried it on stainless.

Since the OP does not have welding equipment solder is the only thing I could think of. A welding shop could tack it with ease. I don't have the correct gas shield on my MIG for stainless or I would offer to tack it for you. A braising rod in an acetylene kit may work but you are going to scorch/blue the stainless when you tack it. I still say contact VBM, they may just replace it since it was a known issue on some of the earlier machines.