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la cimbali m28 hybrid?

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  • la cimbali m28 hybrid?

    Hi All,

    Im a new member to CS but long time viewer.  Im no barista but actually a chef with a manageable addiction to kitchen  toys. I now have two coffee   machines and im keen to spend more time with them. My first machine is a Rancilio S27 which im now quite fond of. Ive recently bought a La cimbali m28 basic that i wish to restore.

    The la cimbali was in need of a new element when i bought it. Ive since purchased the element and teflon gasket from coffeeparts. Ive been planning to install the part myself with help from my brother (an electrician). Im seeking advice before doing anything but cleaning the machine before installing the element. Obviously i should have a manual but any advice would be appreciated...

    Well whats the hybrid part you might ask?
    Ive ordered a Synesso steam wand and tip which i intend to fit onto the cimbali. From what i can tell i should be able to turn the steam valve body 180degrees to face upwards. both the cimabli and synesso parts are male threads so i should be able to find a brass female to female (reducer should the threads be different sizes) attachment and presto synesso silky milk.

    Im not expecting any of the above to be straight forward but im looking forward to trying. Any advice would be great! I promise not to spare the details of my success/failures during the project.

    Regards
    Sam

  • #2
    Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

    I have a 2-group M28 Basic which I did a complete tear-down and rebuild on when I first got it. I think youll find it meets all your criteria once fixed up and used for awhile. It can take a bit of getting use to with all its power, especially in a home setting.

    While youre rebuilding it you might want to consider insulating the boiler to help keep the electricity costs down. Unless you live in an area where youre planning on heating the house with it.

    PM me your email addy and Ill fire off the manual to you.


    Java "Fall has finally arrived, almost time to fire up the beastie!" phile
    Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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    • #3
      Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

      Thanks for the manual !!!

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      • #4
        Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

        So ive done a partial dismantle of the M28 and gave it a good scrub. Using the manual kindly supplied by Javaphile ive wired in the new element and put the machine back together. Hopefully next weekend ill take it to our catering kitchen and use the 20A plug and water supply from the bain marie to fire it up. Fingers crossed :-/

        Still waiting for the synesso steam wand to come from the States. I a little worried about the angle at which the cimbali steam arm comes out of the steam valve assembly (pictured). This may cause restricted movement down the track. Non the less im proceeding with the retrofit steam arm.

        Hope to post good news next weekend
        sam



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        • #5
          Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

          So some parts worked better than others......

          I managed to avoid having to use an adaptor to attach the synesso steam arm by seating it in the original la cimbali steam valve assembly. This was luckily much easier than having to find an adaptor and ive retained more movement than the synesso part would have allowed, a perfect fit. After an hour in the shed i worked a neat hole in the top (pictured) for the arm to poke through. Im very happy with the result.

          Carefully checking all the connections i prepared my self for the bench test. I manually filled the boiler before switching the machine to 1 and checked the group heads. The right hand group head doesnt work but the left hand pumped though fine.

          I switched the machine to 2 and waited...... The cimbali took a good 15 minutes to come up to "warm". I checked the temperature through the heat exchange periodical. I notice that the pressure gauge didnt respond. I checked the steam wands and the hot water dispenser and find the that the machine is well up to temp so i turn it back to 1 quickly not knowing if anything else isnt working. Then to my dismay there was a small pop and an electrical smell coming from the right hand side of the machine. game over...

          My brother and i didt touch the wiring other than the element which is on the far left and worked fine. Maybe i touched something during the cleaning or something entirely different. Either way my brother has lost interest so im taking her off to the espresso repairman.

          Will post the cause as soon as i know as i find out...

          It did look pretty cool with the steam from the synesso arm poking out of the top even if it was only short lived


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          • #6
            Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

            fitted top view

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            • #7
              Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

              steam

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              • #8
                Re: la cimbali m28 hybrid?

                Just an update

                Shes back from the "shop" with new bits and is pumping out lovely shots.

                my Rancilio s27 soon to be listed for sale

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