Hi first post, by a complete newbie. I bought this Wega single group yesterday for $250.00 off of craigslist. Does anyone know what model it is? It has a serial#, but no model on the metal tag



Do I need to reduce line pressure from my household supply when plumbing it?

Thanks, Ted

Ted,

I have a machine that looks just like this one, well not really. Mine is actually in far worse-looking condition, but only for now. My rebuild is moving along quite nicely, I'm hoping to have all the busted parts replaced, broken parts mended and all the dull parts shining and be pulling shots by the Ides of March.

The only info I can provide about this model is that mine has the brand name Formula on the side panel, and I have no idea what the ideal input pressure should be. I have found that the site cafeparts.com has sections broken out by brand and that the Wega section has great exploded diagrams of the internals.

Yours is certainly a nice looking machine.
Good luck and Cheers,
JD

Thanks JD. The inside is not so clean looking. I'll post more pictures as I take it apart. I know I have alot more questions. I see now that FAQ has alot of info on the pressure.



Ted

The machine is a Wega Mini or Mini Wega if you will. The machine was produced in the late 80's to early 90's, and was replaced by the Mini Nova machine. The components are all still available as they are still being used in production of the current Wega Mini Nova 2002.

What I've found fits perfectly with what Terry said. Nova parts appear to be what I've got and the only other identifying mark is 7/91 stamped on the brewgroup, which I assume is a date. The one I've got is missing several parts, does yours have a water tank that fits next to the boiler on the side that has the water wand? I forget where I found it, but I have seen a schematic that shows water being drawn from a tank. And there is a feature on the frame that looks like it would hold a tank of about 2 liters.

Take lots of pictures too as you clean up the machine, it's amazing what citric acid can do, I wish I had taken more.
JD

Once you know it's a Mini Wega Espressoparts.com shows both the and old and new water tanks in exploded parts view. While the outside of mine looks pretty good the inside is a little different story. There's no water tank, it was plumbed. It looks like the pump was replaced at sometime, there are no wires going to what I think is a safety switch, on the heater, And a whole load of corrision on the frame. I gave it a soak in wd40.

Ted

Wow,

That is a lot of rust on the frame, it looks like the nuts that hold the boiler in place are completely covered. The pump that mine came with is mos def different that the one you have in the photos. I've got a fluid o tech 70W Vibratory Pump and I need to replace it as it doesn't run and have a crack in the housing. Given rust on your pump you may need to as well. The best price I've found is at orphan espresso:
http://www.orphanespresso.com/Fluid-O-T..._3617.html

Also the safety switch on mine was wired in series with the heating element, so that it could break the flow of current if needed.

Good luck, keep us posted.
JD

I'm going to have to replace that ear that the boiler is bolted to. I have the technology so it shouldn't be a problem.

Ted

Technology is awesome. I just got my frame back from a friend who runs a paint booth. It took a long time to expose all the rust spots and bead blast those clean. This frame is powder coated which makes matters even more fun and so I chose to just leave those unaffected sections alone and paint over them. Makes for a lumpy finish but there wont be any rust. I'll get around to posting pics on my own rebuild thread... soon.

How are you planning to strip the frame?

JD

Uh-oh! I had to cut the nuts off holding the boiler on. The outside of this machine is good condition it seems like someone spilled some corrosive down inside it, with the top cover off. And never cleaned it off.



I maybe making a new custom frame. The Boiler seems ok, I'll have to pressure test it



Ted