ECM Synchronika

[FilthySudo]

Interested to heard from Synchronika owners whether ‘upgraditis’ hits you still?

If yes, any specific reason?

Its the machine I’m looking at next, and without getting a GS3 MP, I don’t think there is anything I’d personally prefer..
The Decent DE1 is too computer science for me ‘at the moment’ - but more of this tech is finding it’s way into other machines slowly.

I've only owned for 2 weeks so I can't answer this. But this was my dream machine for over a year until now, I couldn't go back to anything less. And to be honest, I don't know what's much more higher end than this for the home use, unless you want more tech rich features. This produce coffee to what a lever machine can with the flow control, and it produces shots that can be comparable with Cafe coffee shots. Is it worth the money? That's upto the individual, I said yes. This is my end game, I told my partner I should own this for decades with the right maintinence and care. Goodluck in your ventures and whether you decide on one or not!

[masonb88]

I agree to be honest - i love everything i have seen about this machine. Build, finishing, the joysticks, the wood accents, flow control, even side panel upgrades, etc. I feel like this could be a 10+ year for me with no issue. I guess it is still a big investment, so was curious to see if there was something I hadn't thought of yet.
Hope the new machine is going well! and hope to join you as an owner soon

[FilthySudo]

Definitely man! There is quality about it, and it's a timeless piece that will just keep nice with age really. But yeah huge investment. It definitely is! I've upgraded shower screen and gasket, changed the pressure down to the correct bar. I would love to do wood accents etc but at the moment after the purchase, I can't justify it just yet. Enjoy when you get it!

[FilthySudo]

am about to get one of these machines. thanks for all the info folks.

just wondering if anyone has tried building wooden side panels for these?

I'm sure as long as it has the clips to secure into the bottom and the screw holes to accomodate plus same sizing then it should be fine! I know there are ecm sold wood panels or powdercoated panels, so may be cheaper to get your own made up

[FilthySudo]

Has anyone bought, or 3d printed a cover for the water tank resovoir to stop the condensation build up under the hinge door? I am wanting one if this is a thing!

[tompoland]

I printed a water tank lid for my Decent DE1Xl to keep ants out and it's worked very well. I reckon it would work well for the synchronika too (I owned one earlier this year) for the purpose you want. just a matter of finding someone to design it.

[FilthySudo]

That's it! I don't really know anyone who 3d prints. I shall ask around. Know anyone on the sunny coast? Seeing as you live here like I do

[tompoland]

PM on the way to you

[derdew]

I'm an extremely amateur, self-taught and generally clueless newbie woodworker with limited tools. nonetheless, I made some wooden levers using some old merbau offcuts I had- turned out better than I hoped. now to figure out the side panel!

[tompoland]

Nice job! Can't be easy. Looks great.

[FilthySudo]

So! I have owned my machine for 2 months now, I have routinely pulled out the shower screen, and done a chemical back flush once a month, now my question is

How often do you take the top mushroom off and remove the cam, clean it all and lube it? Is this a once a month job or is this a twice yearly job kind of thing?

[Mono]

I just do mine when it starts to tighten up or get squeaky……… maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Using the correct/incorrect amount of back flush chemical is critical here and I for one still struggle with that. Haven’t had the shower screen out yet as it is the IMS type which doesn’t have a lip to lever off….. I reckon I will probably destroy it when the time comes…..

[FilthySudo]

Half a spoon of the cafetto back flush powder, 10second intervals of water on and off, 5 times each ( this has been my routine) the lever gets squeaky when doing this, and obviously because of the back flush chemical, but it alleviates once the powder is gone and normal water is entering the chamber again. I have removed my ims basket and cafelat gasket each monthly interval at same time and soaked screen + p/f in chemical back flush powder for 15 mins. I just use a teaspoon and gentle prying between the gasket and the screen, no real issues doing it this way. It will obviously dent over time, but it's relatively cheap to replace and I'd take a guess it would take a while to actually break it

[derdew]

given my chronic sense of inadequacy, I'd thought I'd have another go and of course make my knobs bigger.

mrs prefers the ones I posted above, but I think I prefer these. much larger, and easier to grip and use.

[tompoland]

Version two has my vote. like the wood pattern, plus if you have big mitts like me, bigger is better.

[derdew]

I've started working on the side panel. just doing one side for now. I have no idea if I can pull this off as I've never done this before. I'm using scrap wood I stole from kerbside cleanup lol! here are some progress pics, still unfinished....

[derdew]

I thought the bottom brown panel looked a bit boring, so I set on fire with a blowtorch! I then epoxied the cracks/holes using my daughter's eye shadow...now waiting for it to dry and will then sand

[derdew]

finished- well pretty much. might do a little more sanding and another fishing coat later. now on to the other side and portafilter handles (finally got one off with a heat gun). also made the tamper sand, incline stand for the grinder and the WDT tool

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I like the look of the middle timber panel on hte side cover.

[FilthySudo]

Where does everyone buy their o-rings for their machine? I pulled my flow controller part apart the other day to notice the black rubber o-ring seems to be wearing fairly quickly as I use the flow control daily to adjust pre-infusion. Just curious if others bulk buy them or not

[FilthySudo]

Most likely yeah. I don’t think it’s worth complaining about over an o-ring though

[EspressoAdventurer]

FS Try a little food grade silicon lube on the moving parts and the offending seals.
might help. GL
edit ....lol ! posted first read remaining lower half of your reply. apols

[FilthySudo]

Haha yeah I already lubricated all the seals including the offending ones. I have a feeling this wouldn’t have been done in install. So I have used the machine for around 2 months till I noticed this. Don’t feel like I should pull the machine apart each month

[Javaphile]

The espresso machine covers group buy discussion has been moved to its own thread in the For Sale forum here. Please check that thread to make sure your order lived through the move as comments on posts don't always survive the moving of their parent post.


Java "Everything in its place...Hopefully!" phile

[FilthySudo]

Appreciate you moving it for me, I totally didn’t think to post there as I was aiming it at sync owners, but I can now offer it up to all coffee machine owners

[FilthySudo]

Thought I’d share my setup! Have owned my sync for around 3 months now, just installed the portakeepers on the wall. This is my temporary coffee nook (will get a new spot someday down the track in home renos) awaiting my niche zero in black for a January 2022 pre-order which I’m super excited about. Very keen to replace my loud sette 270w, as much as I love it

[FilthySudo]

Yep I would agree with you, but the sette has to be one of the loudest ones. I can’t have a conversation while it’s grinding, it’s almost deafening 😂😂

[amberale]

WHAT DID YOU SAY????
I gave my old Sunbeam grinder to a friend earlier in the year.
After upgrading to a Silenzio and then a Lagom I could barely believe how loud it was.

[FilthySudo]

😂😂 . I remember owning a sunbeam conical, like the em660 or something along those lines! Shot coffee out everywhere but the item you wanted it in!

[FilthySudo]

Flush or not to flush? Do you that own your sync, do you do a quick flush prior to pulling a shot? Or do you just pull your shot? I know for hx machines flushing is ideal to not have too hot of water in the brew head, but is it neccessary for our machines?

[EspressoAdventurer]

Fresh oxygenated water will always contribute to a better tasting shot than stale old water full of tainted old grinds that remain in and around your Grouphead.
Do you ever flush clean after a shot ?

Oh and a well setup Aust spec HX that was bench tested before sale, as is often the case with machines from the reputable sponsors here, And has been well maintained doesn't usually require a cooling flush.
Internet mythology 101.....!

[FilthySudo]

Couple second flush after every single shot. I also use a puck screen and basically keeps my shower screen completely clean