Hi All,
After recently getting a Linea Mini, I decided to make it a little prettier by replacing the plastic controls with some wooden ones.
I looked at the ones offered by LM and Specht Design, and while I loved them both, I couldn't quite justify another $1000+ after just buying the Linea.
I looked around for a bit and found a set on Aliexpress by a chinese company called 'WOWA Coffee' - still relatively pricey ($560 landed with express post - could have been a little cheaper without express), but still a lot cheaper than the LM/Specht options.
I thought I would give it a go and see what happens.
I ordered them on August the 18th and received them today (12 days) - very happy with shipping time considering they make them to order. I received a message the next day asking to change the shipping method from DHL to E-Express as it has a direct to australia line, where DHL would have to have 2 stops - I missed the message until a few days later by which point they had sent via my preferred method of DHL, so if it had been direct, it may have been even quicker.
Anyway, today I opened the box and was greeted with a very nicely presented set of wooden parts.



I immediately got to work - ended up having to go and buy some long nosed pliers as couldn't find mine, but not a big deal.
The overall process was relatively easy and they provided video instructions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?spm=a2...=mTzvrhneZiU):
Knobs:
1. Unscrew plastic LM knob covers
2. Remove the retaining pin
3. Unscrew knobs
4. Rescrew new knobs
5. Reinsert retaining pin (new pins were provided)
6. Press new cover on
Paddle/Paddle Cover:
1. Remove screws from underneath paddle
2. Remove Paddle
3. Remove top plate (above group)
4. Unscrew the 4 nuts holding in the paddle cover
5. Remove paddle cover
6. Insert new paddle cover
7. Screw on new paddle cover (washers/nuts provided)
8. Screw on new paddle (using original bolts)
9. Screw on cover
Portafilter:
1. Find out how to remove LM portafilter handle (Still struggling, but had another portafilter I used - WOWA recommends a heat gun)
Final Result (I think I somehow broke the red led wire while installing which is a bit of the PITA):

Overall thoughts:
The good:
- Very solid knobs and paddle cover/paddle
- I think they look awesome
- Super easy to install and come with spare parts
- Really good price compared to other options
The average:
- They're not quite as dark as I would have liked - I think WOWA has three different woods according to the listing - perhaps I needed to specify 'black walnut' if I wanted the darker set (I didn't)
- The portafilter handle feels a bit light - it could just be the wood, as I'm coming from a Pesado metal handle, but certainly doesn't have the same hard wearing feeling.
- Doesn't include the LM badge like some of the other sets do
Overall, I'm super happy with the purchase and would happily buy them again given the price.
Side note: WOWA also makes a cool shot timer (although VERY pricey - $500) which I may consider - but I'll have to wait a bit to justify it haha.
After recently getting a Linea Mini, I decided to make it a little prettier by replacing the plastic controls with some wooden ones.
I looked at the ones offered by LM and Specht Design, and while I loved them both, I couldn't quite justify another $1000+ after just buying the Linea.
I looked around for a bit and found a set on Aliexpress by a chinese company called 'WOWA Coffee' - still relatively pricey ($560 landed with express post - could have been a little cheaper without express), but still a lot cheaper than the LM/Specht options.
I thought I would give it a go and see what happens.
I ordered them on August the 18th and received them today (12 days) - very happy with shipping time considering they make them to order. I received a message the next day asking to change the shipping method from DHL to E-Express as it has a direct to australia line, where DHL would have to have 2 stops - I missed the message until a few days later by which point they had sent via my preferred method of DHL, so if it had been direct, it may have been even quicker.
Anyway, today I opened the box and was greeted with a very nicely presented set of wooden parts.
I immediately got to work - ended up having to go and buy some long nosed pliers as couldn't find mine, but not a big deal.
The overall process was relatively easy and they provided video instructions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?spm=a2...=mTzvrhneZiU):
Knobs:
1. Unscrew plastic LM knob covers
2. Remove the retaining pin
3. Unscrew knobs
4. Rescrew new knobs
5. Reinsert retaining pin (new pins were provided)
6. Press new cover on
Paddle/Paddle Cover:
1. Remove screws from underneath paddle
2. Remove Paddle
3. Remove top plate (above group)
4. Unscrew the 4 nuts holding in the paddle cover
5. Remove paddle cover
6. Insert new paddle cover
7. Screw on new paddle cover (washers/nuts provided)
8. Screw on new paddle (using original bolts)
9. Screw on cover
Portafilter:
1. Find out how to remove LM portafilter handle (Still struggling, but had another portafilter I used - WOWA recommends a heat gun)
Final Result (I think I somehow broke the red led wire while installing which is a bit of the PITA):
Overall thoughts:
The good:
- Very solid knobs and paddle cover/paddle
- I think they look awesome
- Super easy to install and come with spare parts
- Really good price compared to other options
The average:
- They're not quite as dark as I would have liked - I think WOWA has three different woods according to the listing - perhaps I needed to specify 'black walnut' if I wanted the darker set (I didn't)
- The portafilter handle feels a bit light - it could just be the wood, as I'm coming from a Pesado metal handle, but certainly doesn't have the same hard wearing feeling.
- Doesn't include the LM badge like some of the other sets do
Overall, I'm super happy with the purchase and would happily buy them again given the price.
Side note: WOWA also makes a cool shot timer (although VERY pricey - $500) which I may consider - but I'll have to wait a bit to justify it haha.

handle feels a bit more solid all connected, still a little light though.
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