Rocket R Nine One

[EspressoAdventurer]

If you have spare shower screen, you can also bend the edges of the existing screen down so it looks like a taco, then use it to turn the screw out . Take care though, and if not sure, take it somewhere

Sounds to me from the words Tony wrote...That the thread has stripped inside the g/h and is spinning freely.
May be better to place in the hands of an experienced tech who can -
1/ safely remove the bolt with minimal impact.
2/ either cut a new thread (larger diameter ?) or if possible engineer a helicoil replacement s/s thread.this then would allow the OEM original screw / bolt replacement to be refitted. And as they are much stronger, likely overcome any possibility of this happening in future.
Keep us posted on the outcome Tony..
GL

[Tony163]

Thanks — that’s actually a great idea! Not going to try it until I have a plan B if I can’t get it to spin out that way since if it doesn’t work I won’t be able to use the machine until I can bring it somewhere to get it out (plan B)…

[kofekitt]

If you have spare shower screen, you can also bend the edges of the existing screen down so it looks like a taco, then use it to turn the screw out . Take care though, and if not sure, take it somewhere

[Tony163]

Thanks and yes I had lefty loose but it works the opposite when the screw is upside down! I learned the hard way.

[Birkin7]

The R1 is an expensive piece of kit and unless you are 100 percent sure you can remove the screw without damaging the grouphead take it to someone who can fix it.
You can use an ezi-out to remove the screw. Looks like you have tried this.
Drill out screw until wafer thin then pick out remaining bits of screw with a scriber or thread pick, only works if drilling in exact centre of screw.
Tig weld a small rod or screw to existing screw, this can then be gripped to remove the stuck screw. The heat of the weld normally helps free stuck screw. See first point before trying this.

Remember - Righty Tighty - Lefty Loosy to remove screw.


Maurice

[Tony163]

Problem now resolved and I managed to learn quite a bit about the machine along with the way having taken it somewhat apart to replace the steam boiler heating element and now reassembled it. The Espresso Coffee Shop was fantastic throughout.

I do unfortunately have another problem partly of my own doing, namely the shower screen screw head is stripped. The screw was so tightly inserted I couldn’t determine which way to turn it to remove it bc it was so damn tight in both directions and I managed to strip the inside of the hex head. Now I really can’t get it to budge and don’t know what to do to get it out. I’ve tried all kinds of remedies including drilling it out a bit and trying to grab it with a matching size screw extractor but nothing works. Any ideas? Thank you! Tony

[StoneLover]

That is good to hear Tony. Your issue was mentioned on another post, and it's good to see retailers doing the right thing in these instances, particularly considering the logistics involved. Unlucky that such a machine may present a failure so early in its life though.

[Tony163]

Thanks very much for checking. The seller has been very solicitous and we think we know what the problem is. It appears something is off with the steam boiler heater. They are sending a new part (the heating element) for me to install and they are optimistic albeit not 100% confident that this will resolve the issue. Will probably take a week or so to get to me as they have just ordered it from Rocket. I will keep you posted!

Separately it is a bit odd that the machine does not include any option to display the current steam boiler temperature. Not the end of the world but would have been good to have.

[waffles]

Yes I certainly will do that and I have already sent them emails… I am already preparing to have to send it back to Italy to get fixed

Just wondering if you had heard back from the seller and/or if you were able to fix the issue.

[waffles]

I am thinking of replacing/upgrading the portafilter and steam valve handles. I am just not a big fan of their 'rubbery' haptic. I am thinking of either a different kind of plastic or black stained wood (please post any leads/suggestions you might have).

- how does one remove the handle off the portafilter? I was suspecting a thread (M12?), but my attempts thus far have been unsuccessful.
- are the porta-filter and steam valve handles the same?

Thanks!

[Tony163]

Is there anyway to see the current temp in the steam/service boiler? Seems like it only shows the temp status for the coffee boiler. Am I missing something? Ty

[Tony163]

Yes I certainly will do that and I have already sent them emails… I am already preparing to have to send it back to Italy to get fixed

[waffles]

If you wanted to wait until Monday, you could contact Espressocoffeeshop’s support. I have found them to be very responsive.

[Tony163]

Unfortunately nothing has improved. I tried starting up the machine again after it had cooled off and the constant whistling with the valve open or close is extreme, as per the videos posted above. If anyone has any ideas they would be much appreciated. Many thanks!

[Tony163]

I started to heat the machine again and it immediately started to whistle. I opened the valve on top and the whistling stopped after 20 seconds. When I closed the valve it started again so I left it open while the machine heated up, and water periodically came into the tray from the hole (valve?) underneath. Once it was fully heated I closed the top valve and made a shot, which seemed to work ok except for the crazy pump sounds… very loud. Now I’m letting it cool to see if it can heat the next time around with the valve closed and without whistling…