Search found 71 matches

by Sketcher
March 18th, 2011, 10:29 am
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 12
Views: 2292

Rattle can engine paint for frames... how's it going?

I second the go-ahead. I spraypainted my S-20's frame, first with rust-inhibiting primer, then a couple of coats of rust resistant paint. On my machine, there is really only one place where the frame is visible under the bolt-on body panels so it wasn't hard to get an even coat and a nicely finished...
by Sketcher
March 11th, 2011, 10:14 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 4
Views: 5129

Are HeyCafe grinders a good deal?

I really don't want to squash your excitement but I'd like to suggest some caution. Not because the grinder is from China or anything but because you've got very little to go on. I admit the specs look fine (for the HC 600 I think it was), but there are tons of grinders out there that have a 350 watt
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by Sketcher
March 8th, 2011, 10:40 am
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 3
Views: 2126

No steam/hot water from used Rancilio S24

Wow, your machine looks super clean, cleaner than I've ever seen a used s-series. If you have a multimeter, it might be easier to check the voltage across terminals on the heating element (I don't know what the resistance should be but between the powered and unpowered position, you should see some ...
by Sketcher
March 7th, 2011, 2:06 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 2
Views: 188

Rancilio S26

Agreed, one day you'll need body panels at least. I got a working but dirty s-20 midi 2-group for $400 on ebay, you're not only missing outside coverings but it looks as if someone's taken this thing apart, looked and found it too complicated to fix and then abandoned it without even replacing the p...
by Sketcher
March 3rd, 2011, 5:58 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 6
Views: 499

Now on to a new grinder...

I'm not sure I can suggest it yet, but I just bought a heavily used Mazzer Super Jolly on ebay. I plan to treat it to new burrs but for $300, it's a tank, to match my tank of a machine. Honestly I really though about a vario too, it's not much more and new, but the plastic exterior put
by Sketcher
February 28th, 2011, 1:50 pm
Forum: Knockbox
Replies: 189
Views: 13958

What's your day job?

I'm a process engineer, working in heavy oil, admittedly a dirty industry. However, after university I couldn't find an engineering job elsewhere so I moved to Calgary, which is very big on oil due to the oilsands. My degree is in mechanical engineering but my colleagues are all chemical engineers, ...
by Sketcher
February 18th, 2011, 2:05 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 10
Views: 3217

ECM Michelangelo E61 Group Gasket Removal HELP!

On my rancilio rebuild, I boiled the groups in citric acid solution with the gaskets in place. Any moisture in the gaskets before quickly vanished. Thereafter, I drilled a hole through the face of the gasket and used it as a startpoint for prying out with a robertson screwdriver
by Sketcher
January 22nd, 2011, 1:00 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 20
Views: 1559

Pitfalls to avoid on eBay

Damn, I'm definitely not the only one that's been hit by a bad ebay experience... I really appreciate all the advice, and I didn't know about options like charge-back, which is something I might end up having to do if I can't get an equitable settlement out of ebay... I've had good dealings in the p...
by Sketcher
January 21st, 2011, 11:41 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 10
Views: 3193

Rocky Rancilio vs. Mazzer

I've been sniffing around for a first grinder myself and although the Rocky isn't well-loved like the big guns (i.e. Mazzer, Macap, etc), I haven't seen one for $200 and it's not a bad grinder... I guess it depends on the age and wear, new rockys can be had for about 50% more but they're not in the ...
by Sketcher
January 21st, 2011, 11:35 pm
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 110
Views: 14499

Pasquini Livietta restoration for first timer

As a fellow newbie I have to congratulate you on the nice score... Now to see how it turns up... I recently got my first real machine, a monsterous Rancilio S-20 two group which amazingly my wife let me put in the kitchen and wire in a 220V 20A circuit for (true love I think). Now if only I had