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  • Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

    Hi all

    Im new as a member but have been lurking for a while. Im wanting to do coffee (up to 100 lattes a day) for church and community events. I used my 6910 to do coffees for the P&C at my sons sports carnival and nearly killed it! Hence am looking to buy a reliable, used commercial machine with enough grunt for my needs. I cant pay much more than $1000. Do you know if theres anything out there?

    Thanks

    CL

  • #2
    Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

    If youre willing to do a bit of work on them used 2 and 3 group commercials are usually readily available on eBay for well under that.


    Java "Caveat emptor!" phile
    Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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    • #3
      Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

      From the username lust and the title of this thread I didnt see it headed for anything but trouble... Phew! Used commercial machines instead. Yay!

      If those 100 lattes are spread out over the day then a 1gr might be ok, and take up slightly less bench space than a 2 or 3gr. But if you have a run on lattes at any point it might struggle. Having said that, a lot depends on the operator(s). One barista can only work so many group handles and steam so many jugs before their arms fall off.

      Send one of the sponsor-wide emails (see left side bar) and you might find that someone has traded in a machine recently.

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      • #4
        Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

        Checkout sponsor OMaras - they deal in a lot of used commercials.
        They come as they are though so youd need to put in the effort on cleaning etc but should be able to pick up one cheap.

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        • #5
          Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

          location ?

          i just pmed you something of interest in Sydney

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          • #6
            Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

            Originally posted by 063A273C363720353D36520 link=1247835434/3#3 date=1247871918
            Checkout sponsor OMaras - they deal in a lot of used commercials.
            Theres a two group Brasilia in their auction this Tuesday coming.

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            • #7
              Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

              You might want to think about mobility and working the unit in areas where water and power are difficult to source or very basic.

              Anything bigger than a 1gr is going to be very heavy to move around (2 men required), will need plumbing or active water pressure, special power (> 10A) and may have an external pump.

              A lot of 2gr units will run off 15A, some models you can get the element "downgraded" to something like a 2.4KW (or some can even run an "un-bridged" half-style element).

              Multi-group machines have the advantage of the larger boiler which helps you with milk - and lets face it, >90% of your takeaway orders are likely to be milk-based.

              There are some good commercial 1gr machines around with 6lt boilers that can be moved short distances on your own, others that can be adapated with a water tank and most with a rotary vane pump can pull water from a bucket.

              Another option is looking at the 2gr Compacts from Expobar, Promac and others. These are ideal for mobile operators, have a smaller footprint, lighter than a full-size 2gr and typically have a boiler size that is adequate and can sometimes run off slightly lower power draw than a traditional 2gr.

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              • #8
                Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                Originally posted by 020E070704040D141215610 link=1247835434/0#0 date=1247835433
                Im wanting to do coffee (up to 100 lattes a day) for church and community events.
                Apart from what Javaphile has already mentioned, my experience of working at these types of events is that everyone wants their coffee at once, or over a relatively short period of time.

                From a perspective that presumes you would like to offer a good experience for the patrons:

                1) If you spend $1K on a tired old machine that cost $5k-$6k when it was new, its likely youll be sorry.

                2) The minimum sized grinder that Id recommend for 100 coffees per day is the K10. Anything less will be too slow to meet demand and overheat itself and the beans. These are around twice your machine budget.

                Perhaps that sounds a little harsh, but just the way I see it.

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                • #9
                  Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                  Originally posted by 19383333342E5D0 link=1247835434/7#7 date=1247911895
                  Originally posted by 020E070704040D141215610 link=1247835434/0#0 date=1247835433
                  Im wanting to do coffee (up to 100 lattes a day) for church and community events.
                  Apart from what Javaphile has already mentioned, my experience of working at these types of events is that everyone wants their coffee at once, or over a relatively short period of time.

                  From a perspective that presumes you would like to offer a good experience for the patrons:

                  1) If you spend $1K on a tired old machine that cost $5k-$6k when it was new, its likely youll be sorry.

                  2) The minimum sized grinder that Id recommend for 100 coffees per day is the K10.  Anything less will be too slow to meet demand and overheat itself and the beans.  These are around twice your machine budget.

                  Perhaps that sounds a little harsh, but just the way I see it.
                  Maybe not too sorry if you purchase with the expectation and the willingness to do a restoration.

                  I found the mechanical side of the work replacing seals and gaskets is not such a big deal, and fairly inexpensive (assuming you dont need to replace an element or a pressurestat or an autofill board). I learnt a lot going through the process too.

                  A full dismantle and fixing the cosmetics, eg cleaning up, rust removal, beating panels into shape and painting is the bit that I found takes forever.

                  If looking at older 2 groups, perhaps consider something with minimal electronics, then youll have less heartache trying to fix it when something doesnt work.

                  Check out Evilbay, there is a 2 group Cimbali there now thats within your budget..... (Item number: 130319231318)

                  PS. Im not the seller and I know nothing about the condition of the machine......

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                  • #10
                    Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                    Originally posted by 0B372A313B3A2D38303B5F0 link=1247835434/5#5 date=1247902028
                    Originally posted by 063A273C363720353D36520 link=1247835434/3#3 date=1247871918
                    Checkout sponsor OMaras - they deal in a lot of used commercials.
                    Theres a two group Brasilia in their auction this Tuesday coming.
                    that auction is on monday at Omaras

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                      Originally posted by 5E525B56565F330 link=1247835434/9#9 date=1247981113
                      that auction is on monday at Omaras
                      Thats the catering auction.
                      Tuesdays auction is the Marshalls Motors auction and the Brasilia is from their in-house cafe.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                        Originally posted by 5855485B4E0B08093A0 link=1247835434/8#8 date=1247917951
                        Maybe not too sorry if you purchase with the expectation and the willingness to do a restoration.
                        Granted. If you spend $200-$300 and do the restoration yourself you would probably end up on or under budget. But this was not the question here. I think sometimes people get carried away and there is a big diffference between, "Im looking for a project" and, "I want to serve 100 coffees.

                        Again, from a "perspective that presumes you would like to offer a good experience for the patrons", I wouldnt set up a limo service and and then turn up with a clapped out, old, Datsun 180B.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                          Originally posted by 1925382329283F2A22294D0 link=1247835434/10#10 date=1247992764
                          Originally posted by 5E525B56565F330 link=1247835434/9#9 date=1247981113
                          that auction is on monday at Omaras  
                          Thats the catering auction.
                          Tuesdays auction is the Marshalls Motors auction and the Brasilia is from their in-house cafe.
                          sorry TG your right, i was looking at the catering auction
                          out of interest have you ever been to the omaras auction? I was going to go for a look tomorrow to check out price and machines

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                          • #14
                            Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                            I have been once.
                            Thats where I picked up the cups I use (had to buy 300 though ;D ) and also the bargain Gino Rossi grinder.

                            With machines and grinders one needs to know what they are looking for and willing to restore a machine if the price is right as they are not set up to show if they work.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Looking for a cheap old pro - Whats out there?

                              Hi all and thanks for all the advice. I have just won a Rancilio S24 on ebay. Assuming it is as described and makes it here in one piece I think it should suit my needs.

                              By the way. Did anyone go to the OMeras auction and if so how much did those machines go for?

                              Thanks again

                              CL

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