NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 5:19am Subject: Re: REFURBISH OR BUY UPGRADED USED?
Please forgive my ignorance: TLC???
Tender loving care, total lung capacity, TLC (American R&B/hip hop girl group), Tasmanian Land Conservancy, Texas Lottery Commission, Trades and Labour Council, Toyota Land Cruizer, thin layer chromatography, total leucocyte count, ...?
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 6:02am Subject: Re: REFURBISH OR BUY UPGRADED USED?
What price would you be happy with for the package? That's one thing to weigh. What features would you like most that you don't currently have? Does it need to be a heat exchanger or would a refurbished PID'd Silvia be exciting enough? It would also be very helpful if a shop tech could tell you the different things you could have done on your machine to get it working like new, and an estimate of the time/cost that might be needed. But I'd guess that selling your machine even at the low end of the market price and putting in the amount of money that refurbishing and/or PIDing would cost could get you into a great machine like a Bezzera BZ02 (I know because I have one for sale), a classic Olympia/Pasquini, Nuova Simonelli Oscar and certainly more. The great thing about the Rocky is that it also has a very consistent market value, and you could certainly buy a solid commercial grinder (for example) and new burrs with the money from selling your Rocky.
It really depends on how many drinks you plan on making and how much space you have. And how patient you are as a seller and a buyer. I might be interested in your package, so feel free to get in touch.
OLIVER1 Senior Member Joined: 27 Dec 2011 Posts: 26 Location: GREER, SC Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Rancilio Rocky
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 12:37pm Subject: Re: REFURBISH OR BUY UPGRADED USED?
I would say that I am a fairly active user ... two espresso doubles in the morning and one in the afternoon plus I make my wife a cappucino every afternoon. Adds up over 10 years. Patience is one thing, living without my daily espresso is another.
I got the names of two faily local (80 miles) refurbishers and will be in touch with them to see how much I am talking about top bring both the silvia and rocky back to "like new".
Not familiar with the Bezzera but I Googled it and it looks like a nice semi-commercial machine. Does it have the same temperature surfing issues that the Silvia has?
Really haven't thought about a budget but I guess if I could get an upgraded machine plus grinder for less than $750 plus be able to get something for my Rancilio's I would be happy.
If your willing I would take it apart. If you got a working pump and the electrical looks fine it's most likely just calcium build up in the boiler and grouphead. If so just dunk everything in vinegar overnight. As for your rocky just do the same. Replace the burrs, soak all the plastic in hot soap water and rinse.
I have completely refurbed a commercial 2 group this way. Refurb labour is like a car. EXPENSIVE!
If it's too much I would put that kind of money into a rocket machine and maybe a Macap grinder. Your looking at around $2,000 but for that kind of use your getting abot the best world wide and will last for a very long time.
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