Build Coffee Machine?

[tom-tom]

Hey guys.

Not that i am about to, after getting the giotto, but has anyone ever thought about constructing an expresso machine from scratch.

From looking around coffee parts, you can get pretty much every required part except the boiler & group head body.

Anyway, im kind of just dreaming here, but would love anyones input or experience on the topic.

Cheers.

[blanyon]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

Would be very expensive, time consuming and IMHO pointless but I think the same about hotting up cars.

[cksyd]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

Would be very expensive, time consuming and IMHO pointless but I think the same about hotting up cars.  

And going on what moto said about cars, I can get every part for my bike from Yamaha and therefore build it. Unfortunately it will probably cost me 5 times as much so I was way better off just buying it...

[TC]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

Hey guys.

Not that i am about to, after getting the giotto, but has anyone ever thought about constructing an expresso machine from scratch?...

Cheers.

Hmm Tom-Tom...

Lots (most) of the smarts in espresso machine design are in HX design and in achieving thermostability. Its the stuff you dont see and will struggle to buy which is paramount...

That said, I recall that Peter Cairis had a plan to create Giottostein with an 8L Michaelangelo boiler, rotary pump and mercury switches before he left ECA.

Its a given that he has the brain and experience to create a formidable machine...Sadly, the project never came to fruition....

2mcm

[tom-tom]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

After doing some more searching to find out a complete e61 group is about 650 US$ this is a stupid project

[PiccoloLatte]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

Not when e61 groups could just be pulled from a second hand machine...

Just with cars, unless you have a huge pile of funds, you dont build a custom or hot up your car with all new parts. Instead, you get parts form a wrecker and rebuild them at home.

Having said that, you would want to know what you were attempting to improve before you started. If its not going to improve the espresso, just whack some funky custom panels on the outside and call it a day.

One of my favourite sayings is "Good - Quick - Cheap ... you pick which two"

I think it applies to all of my projects.

[e61 - DONT USE]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

I met Peters prototype. It was interesting... in a Frankenstein sort of way! It had merit though. Built entirely from second hand parts -internally it was magnificent. Externally it was the sort of thing only a mad technician could love.

Its the age old dilemna though. You really need to know someone in the trade with access to sundry bits and pieces. It is surprising though what sits around in spare departments collecting dust and forgotten.

[SharkBait]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

ill be back!

[julzy]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

Ive done it and it was a lot of fun.

I had a la pavoni domobar with a broken grinder which i removed and replaced with a steam boiler from a very small domestic machine.

I called it my frankenstein monster and i loved it!

The lights would dim when it was plugged in! And it was incredibly unsafe.
I spent a total of zero dollars on it, but I had to canabalize several broken machines. Start collecting busted machines now, but be careful with your wiring...

[TC]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

I met Peters prototype. It was interesting... in a Frankenstein sort of way! It had merit though. Built entirely from second hand parts -internally it was magnificent. Externally it was the sort of thing only a mad technician could love.  

:-? You sure E-61??

Peter is a close buddy of mine and I know for a fact that the concept was never completed beyond a boiler and Giotto frame....

It would have been interesting (and safe) if hed ever completed it though...

[e61 - DONT USE]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

Sorry 2mcm - I didnt mean to imply that Petes machine was ever actually finished!

Pete had some good machinery and design ideas and he is a technical wizard. Unfortunately I dont think his flair and expertise was really appreciated.

I am certain he is capable of building a technically perfect machine.

I last heard he planned to learn to play drums in Africa???? ;D

[SharkBait]

Re: Build Coffee Machine?

that was true, drumming in Africa is still a plan.
when to NZ and didi a little diving on rigs and some skiing instead