So, after about three weeks post payment the Gaggia arrived today ON TIME with FedEx. I helped the driver move the Gaggia from the truck to my Garage but it was not very heavy with the two of us. I was tracking the flights it was shipped on if you want to know how closely I was watching the tracking updates . Flightaware is a cool app.




The machine was thankfully undamaged and customs went without issue. It took a few minutes to get all the packing materials out of the crate. There was even a winch strap to hold the machine while in shipment.





The plexi was the first piece taken out followed by more pieces. Everything taken off the machine was wrapped. Eventually I needed to take off the crate walls to get the rest of the bits out. Everything that could be loose was wrapped up nicely.








A few more intial state pics. I don't have much to say and am perhaps starstruck right now

Did I mention I was excited?







The bits that I know Sebastien will be interested in!

The hand-serialized manometer is precious

What does the knob at the top of the sight glass do?

It's one of two knobs (other one is on the bottom) that allows someone to seal off the sight glass if it breaks and leaks.

That thing clicks all the "shiny-metal-functional-machine" boxes for me. Very cool.

I think a Disco Volante is still my unicorn, but that Gaggia is pretty close.

I passed up a 2 group Disco Volante earlier this year and sort of regret it now, but hopefully I can find a 1 group maybe down the road.

It's so beautiful and compact; why doesn't anyone make machines like this anymore?

I can't even imagine the costs, I was simply taking off a bracket and it just feels hefty. Every part on this machine is heavy duty

It looks in fantastic condition.

What a wonderful machine. Very much looking forward to seeing what you do with it Ryan.

cheers,

Stephen