I'm the proud new owner of a Rancilio MD-50 AT. It's a 1994 model with the power switch on the side of the base instead of on the stainless body like I see in most pics. I bought it from a local roaster for $150 with the hopper missing and very dirty. He collects and refurbishes a lot of espresso gear and I think he never got around to this one or wanted to get me out of his hair. He actual let me take it home and try it out before I committed to buy. Everything works and as to be expected, it needs new burrs, hopper and a thorough cleaning. So far I have it "mostly" disassembled taking pics along the way...

Some mods I will probably do:
Cut the hopper down to clear the kitchen cabinets.

I've seen posts for converting to a manual machine by basically bypassing the relay and microswitch circuits and I will do that as I will never need the doser to be filled.
I would also like to add a timer to the circuit. I've seen some digital timers being added to grinders but Ill probably use a simple mechanical timer because I'm not trying to dispense a perfect dose but just minimize waste buy adjusting it to dispense a little more than a little more than a double. Off the top of my head I'm thinking to use a replacement timer for a Super Jolly. Any insight on that would be appreciated.

I dont like the grey finish on the base and top (my wife is giving it some funny looks too). Ill probably paint it black or if I get real ambitious have them chromed so they match the toaster and the shiny espresso machine I WILL own one day.

Ill put up some pics of the journey as I go.
Thanks
Robert

Hello Robert,

How is it going with that beast of a grinder of yours?

Just bought one second hand this weekend.
Started cleaning it, like you did, and it's getting better by the minute.

Also want to make it manual, was wondering if you found the correct approach.
Let me no about it, because this machine will eat all your beans in once.

At the moment I am missing, and looking for a manual.
Can you en-light me on the use of the orange switch at the left front?

Hope you enjoy your bargain find.

with kind regards from the Netherlands
Bernard

Hi Bernard, I just saw your post as well and was preparing a response but I see you have posted here too. Nice to see someone is into the same project. Right now I have my Md50 completely disassembled, mostly cleaned and and am preparing to order parts.
The link to all the Rancilio technical information is down at the moment but if you email me at r.hatcherATsnetDOTnet Ill send you the documents (parts lists, user manual, and electrical diagrams).

It looks like your machine is the vintage as mine. Is your main power switch on the right side of the base?

There are electrical diagrams for the AT and M models available. Comparing the two it appears to be just a matter of reconnecting the wiring, bypassing the microswitches and relay that is used for automatic control and then the amber switch on the left will be a push and hold manual switch. Im going to test that theory on the bench in a day or two with the motor in a vice. I will post the results. I would really like to leave the automatic feature functional and add a timer. Im not sure if I will take the time to figure that out or not...

The amber switch works as a way to start the grinder without having the whack the lever six times. Once started with the switch I still had to stop it by activating the plastic lever in the top of the hopper or turning the main power off.

Hello Robert,

It's a small world,

You make it sound quite easy bypassing this and etc....
Make a step by step sequence please.

Still didn't use the machine, like you cleaning the stuff of years.
I smell it on my fingers as I type, old coffee-odor.

Having it here on the bench I think the doser is just not handy.
Grinding to much coffee for a cup.
Maybe a 1 and 2 cup measure for the beans, hop those in and
grind that little amount for a nice hot cup will do the trick.

Tried the orange switch, with the rubber feet missing it gives a torck, (is that correct English?)
The machine starts dancing a bit, those Italians know how to move, haha.

How did you loosen the central bolt?

hear from you, and good luck
Bernard

Mine got the main switch also on the site.

Really need to demolition this thing, there is an old coffee-smell
that will stick to my new bean-grinds.
This machine has to smell like a new baby.

So far so good, the whole grinder is taken apart, except .....
The doser, who knows the trick with this thing?
The bottom is sitting on my bench, the top is of and also the "glass".

COFFEE WORLD COME TO MY RESCUE

Since you and Robert have a common project, I took the liberty of merging your thread with his.

Coffeeguide wrote:Really need to demolition this thing, there is an old coffee-smell

See Deep cleaning of very dirty Mazzer Super Jolly for suggestions. There's a few other threads on the same subject I found by searching on "dirty grinder".

Hello Kehn,

Very attentive of you,
but if my question will be answered this way in the near future?
I looked to the several suggestions you made, and could not really
find a solution there.

I try to make my contributions worthwhile for the coffee community.
I think it's a general question, pimped with some nice pictures.

cioa,
Bernard

Try to screw out the adjustment nut of the doser.
Here's an exploded view.
http://www.eunasa.com/en/despiece.php/a...rs---doser

Coffeeguide wrote:So far so good, the whole grinder is taken apart, except ..... The doser, who knows the trick with this thing?

Unless there is a compelling reason to disassemble the doser, I would first try cleaning it as-is to avoid the risk of breaking something. However, if you wish to proceed, How To Remove Mazzer Lower Doser Vane WITHOUT BREAKING! offers suggestions.

The Mazzer dosers have a totally different design. With the Rancilio, it looks like you can leave the lower vane, lever and brass star in place while taking out the upper and middle stars.