Hello all,

I'm very new here, a few weeks ago I bought a very used machine from a bar for like the equivalent of $50.

The seller stated that it is working, I have not even tried to test it yet, because it was really filthy I wanted to clean it.

As I carried it our from the shop I noticed that bits of rust are falling out of it.

As you can see the complete bottom part of the frame is rusted away, there is also rust where the indicator lights and the control electronics are placed:


Apart from that It does not looks like that it has missing anything.

What do you think, should I try to revive it or maybe just part it out and forget it?

I have not found the frame itself as a replacement part anywhere, but I have some friends in the metalworking business and they could possible make a new bottom panel for it.

I'd start by seeing if it works, then cleaning all the rust up and painting it so it stops and then using it for a while. While that's ugly, you're the only one who will ever see it and it will likely work fine even with the holes. If you decide it's working and you want it perfect, then worry about restoration. It not likely a machine that restoration will do much to improve the value.

That's a decent machine, congratulations on your find. Give machine a clean up but don't get stuck on the rusty panels. It's not difficult to get replacements. Search this forum and others for leads.

The frame is made of stainless steel while the core is brass and copper. So you don't have a lot to worry about. Also, shoot ChrisCoffee an email. They carried several iterations of the machine and may perhaps carry the panels you require.

Other than that, that's a solid machine and will give you plenty topnotch years of service with some TLC.

bongani wrote:That's a decent machine, congratulations on your find. Give machine a clean up but don't get stuck on the rusty panels. It's not difficult to get replacements. Search this forum and others for leads.

The frame is made of stainless steel while the core is brass and copper. So you don't have a lot to worry about. Also, shoot ChrisCoffee an email. They carried several iterations of the machine and may perhaps carry the panels you require.

Other than that, that's a solid machine and will give you plenty topnotch years of service with some TLC.

ira wrote:I'd start by seeing if it works, then cleaning all the rust up and painting it so it stops and then using it for a while. While that's ugly, you're the only one who will ever see it and it will likely work fine even with the holes. If you decide it's working and you want it perfect, then worry about restoration. It not likely a machine that restoration will do much to improve the value.

Thanks for the replies guys! The problem with the corrosion is that it is so bad that it makes impossible to fix on some of the stainless cover panels on the bottom side. I'll attach some photos later in my opinion it is pretty bad.

Also the tap for the steam wand has a bad feel to it, while operation it feels different from the hot water dispenser tap. But I guess it is servicable, and also found a replacement part locally which is suprisingly is not crazy expensive.

I want to try it, but I live in a flat and I only have water connection at the kitchen and the bathroom, but if I bring this thing up in this condition there is a high probability that my girlfriend gonna kill me and I die without having a chance to have a decent cup of coffe at home.

So I'll try to make this thing as clean as possible at the storage unit (then clean up a bucket of rust) then I'll bring it up to the flat.

Lefetylorant wrote:I want to try it, but I live in a flat and I only have water connection at the kitchen and the bathroom, but if I bring this thing up in this condition there is a high probability that my girlfriend gonna kill me and I die without having a chance to have a decent cup of coffe at home.

So I'll try to make this thing as clean as possible at the storage unit (then clean up a bucket of rust) then I'll bring it up to the flat.

I'm glad you are tackling the repairs. It's a great learning process and you'll plenty reference once you're done restoring your piece.

As for connecting to a water source, your machine is capable of drawing from a non pressurized source. A bucket or open container close by is usually sufficient to supply your machine. Now, I'm talking with the assumption that it has a rotary pump. Check somewhere on this forum to familiarize yourself with your machine and its operations.

Be not afraid to also ask machine repair professionals for help. A lot of them will offer advice when approached.

Thanks for the replies!

It seems today going to be the day of the test.
Is there anything really-really important that I should definitely check before?

Incredible find and welcome aboard! Lefetylorant!

Bottom panel won't be hard to replace. Any home building supply store should have sheets of aluminum or stainless you can buy cheaply and cut to dimension and some Tremclad spray on paint (glossy) should make it beautiful once you've drilled the appropriate holes for mounts, power cord, fasteners etc. Depending on whether anything is mounted on that panel, you may not even need it and can just remove it (for now at least) as long as its not holding anything in place or supporting any structure.

Do you have any photos of the inside of the machine? When did the bar indicate the machine was last powered up and used? If it was used regularly till recently that's a plus

Not sure if you have this brand in your region but there should be something similar I'd imagine available (anyone have any other recommendations for paint for espresso machine chassis?) . . .


Here's an marked up version of your photo showing the section to cut away . . .

WWWired wrote:Not sure if you have this brand in your region but there should be something similar I'd imagine available (anyone have any other recommendations for paint for espresso machine chassis?) . . .
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Here's an marked up version of your photo showing the section to cut away . . .
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WWWired wrote:Incredible find and welcome aboard! Lefetylorant!

Bottom panel won't be hard to replace. Any home building supply store should have sheets of aluminum or stainless you can buy cheaply and cut to dimension and some Tremclad spray on paint (glossy) should make it beautiful once you've drilled the appropriate holes for mounts, power cord, fasteners etc. Depending on whether anything is mounted on that panel, you may not even need it and can just remove it (for now at least) as long as its not holding anything in place or supporting any structure.

Do you have any photos of the inside of the machine? When did the bar indicate the machine was last powered up and used? If it was used regularly till recently that's a plus

Hi!

Thanks for the replies, the seller could not answer me that when it was replaced but guessing by it's condition I think it has been sitting for a few years.

I decided to bring it up and took a few pics.
(If you get shocked easily just close your eyes)




I have (successfully?) identified the vibe pump. And that there is a loose connection and I can not find where it should go (yellow wire)



That guy (a valve?) is loose where my finger points. It's in connection with that glass tube.

What do you mean by loose? The hexagonal body moves or leaks, or the plunger is free to move up and down?
The plunger (with the circlip/e-clip around it) is supposed to be able to move.