Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

[B00sting]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Hey thanks again, I figured I would have to hack up the wand. I have no problem doing this so long as the rancilio wand will fit.  

The steam enhancer was pulled off years ago, there is this other bit fixed in place as well for some reason, no idea why!

I am also changing the thermostat to one which was recommended go hand in hand with this mod (read on the forum years ago).

[mjs]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

I know theres a ridge at the nut end, but as I recall the steam spout end of my original Gaggia wand had no ridge at all. Possibly because the steam enhancer was all plastic and just pulled off the wand so I could get the nut off that end.

If you cant succeed with pliers, then I guess the ultimate solution is to remove the wand, then cut the wand using a hack saw or similar (provided you are comfortable with wrecking the existing wand)

[B00sting]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Here is what I mean, the nut cant slide off past this bit (which I have tried to remove with pliers):

[B00sting]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Thanks for the reply
Unfortunetely even if I bend it it wont come off. You see, the end going into the machine has a ridge stopping me from sliding it off, and the end that has the steam tip has a massive ridge about 3-4cm up from the tip. I tried to get this assembly off but it appears that it is one piece melded to the wand itself! My Gaggia is a limited edition, does this have anything to do with it? It is the original steam wand.

[mjs]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

If you cant gently bend it, then just bend the crap out of it  

[mjs]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Youve got to gently bend the Gaggia wand to straighten it a little, then you can get the nut off the wand.

[B00sting]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Sorry to bump up this old thread, but I want to do this mod to my Gaggia Classic. The problem I encountered with mine is that the Male adaptor that is on the gaggia steam wand that screws into the machine doesnt come off the wand. Therefore I cannot fit it to the rancilio wand to make it work. Did anyone else have this problem?

[roknee]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

hey andy
my mate gothold of the silvia steam wand, swapped it over with some thanks to your post and he is one VERY VERY happy camper let me tell you.
so thanks on behalf of my mate
regards

aaron

[AndyCJ]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

It seems like the images on my hosting server moved, so these links dont work anymore.

Im gonna try to get them updated by a moderator, but till then - they can be located here:
http://public.fotki.com/AndyandMarion/misc/coffee_nerding_001.html
(you can use the next button to move through them, they are not in the same order as the first article sorry)

Cheers,
AndyCJ

[roknee]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

heya
Andy CJ - i think it was you who posted the pics of how to mod your gaggia with the silvia wand. the pics you have linked seem to now be outdated.
any way of reloading these images - i have a friend who wants to do this mod to his classic.

thanks heaps

aaron

[peety117]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

I wanted to clarify one step thats left out of the instructions. As stated my others, the Silvia wands tip must be sanded down to get a proper fit in some Gaggias. I used 220 grit sandpaper, and spent about 20 minutes (ouch!!) sanding to get the wand to fit and still be movable. I sanded down both areas of the picture below (red and yellow).

Could someone please clarify if both areas need to be sanded, or just one? This will save me some time when I do the mod to my Espresso.

Hi all, i just installed the Silvia wand on my Gaggia Classic, didnt take very long at all, then i noticed that it was leaking a bit, so as per the instructions in this thread i decided to sand the top bit of the wand, i sanded the little lump bit (highlighted red in the picture), now the wand fits in more nicely, and i got no more leaks

The results are amazing, its so easy to get good looking micro foam.

[czarmike]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Thanks for the replies mjs, and hi to you to!

I had to sand down the Silvia wand to fit my Gaggia Coffee, by thinning out the diameter (by sanding it down radially). My question was about which area specifically needs to be sanded down, to avoid doing unneeded work/modification.

cheers

[Dimal]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

In my case, I was lucky that the Silvia wand didnt need any adjustment in diameter (by sanding etc).

Gday nowsharing

Diameter is the operative word I think mate....

Mal.

[czarmike]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

I have my Gaggia Espresso ready to take on the Silvia wand now, could anyone answer my above question about which area to sand down? Im unsure as to whether I need to sand the tip or the ridge near the tip.

[mjs]

Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

In my case, I was lucky that the Silvia wand didnt need any adjustment in diameter (by sanding etc). Although I had to re-use the Classic o-ring as the supplied Silvia ones are a tad thicker and the wand would not fit with the Silvia o-ring in place. The original o-ring worked fine and the wand is pretty normal in its ability to swivel out of the way etc, so very happy with that.