capitalcoffee Senior Member Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Ireland Expertise: Professional
Espresso: san marco, san marino,... Grinder: mazzer Drip: Elektra
Posted Tue Oct 16, 2012, 5:14pm Subject: Elektra Belle Epoque....Is it worth restoring?
I came across this Elektra Belle Epoque in the last few weeks and was wondering are they worth restoring. I have access to the parts etc as I am in the coffee trade but have no clue as to what I am letting my self in for here. Advice please......
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,661 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 Oct 17, 2012, 12:04am Subject: Re: Elektra Belle Epoque....Is it worth restoring?
Welcome to CoffeeGeek and congratulations on finding that machine! Which model is it? Especially if you can repair it youself, it'll definitely be worth restoring, because it's a great commercial espresso machine and an eye catcher.
What needs to be done? Can you post pictures?
*** "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)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,772 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed Oct 17, 2012, 6:10am Subject: Re: Elektra Belle Epoque....Is it worth restoring?
I echo Nobby, if this is a personal machine for yourself, I can't think of a much more cost effective way to get a nice machine. If it is for resale, the amount of work need and related parts will dictate if it will be cost effective to do when you take a profit into account.
I have repaired several machines and have enjoyed them. If I try to sell them, I would be lucky to break even. For example, I bought a used Sylvia SBDU machine for under $100 (I forgot the exact number) then I had to rebuild the boiler/heater and I upgraded it to PID controls. In the end, I have a basically new Sylvia (with the other work I did added in too) but my "investment" in parts alone is in the ball park of what a used Sylvia in good condition with the same equipment would sell for. I have the advantage of knowing the exact condition of the inside of this machine but is knowing that worth the labor I did, basically for free? Well, I guess so but this machine is only used a week or so a year in reserve when we go on vacation to a cabin that does not have any espresso setup at all.
SO, what is your end point goal for this machine, sale or personal use? What is the finished product worth to you?
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
stefano65 Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 1,340 Location: Eugene OR Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vibiemme,Elektra, Grinder: Vario,Macap, Vac Pot: not Drip: not Roaster: not
Posted Wed Oct 17, 2012, 7:34am Subject: Re: Elektra Belle Epoque....Is it worth restoring?
How old is the machine? and most of all what is the condition of it? some pictures of the guts can help us giving you an opinion
belle epoque are beautiful machines BUT they are a pain to dismantle (especially before they re-designed them) and since all the body parts are hand made and fitted is always another fun to reposition the panel sometimes after a complete rebuild but once is done here is a customer of mine this unit is a 1993
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