Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
JavaB,
had a look at the "Extreme Machine" thread as you suggested - Wow ! Reminds me of the old Hotroding days. I better learn to walk before I start running though -, but when I get the urge to run ,well as Arnie says, "Ill be back."
Regards,
hotdog.
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Timo,
Hi . At last someone who owns an Oscar ! Thanks for the Post. It seems from what you say that the Oscar is a good machine and can produce good espresso which is all Im interested in - I know that it is not a E61 machine and that its resale value drops but if the machine is doing a good job why sell it - the fact that you have a Giotto and also find a use for the Oscar must say something about the Oscar.What about under the bonnet - is it well constructed, copper piping etc ?
regards,
hotdog
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Mal,
Afraid Im a pretty dim bulb - only just realised that the stuff written at the foot of each post represents what that member has in the way of machines etc -sorry about that. Had a look on the Net at your BZ35 Minibar and it seems like an awesome machine or will be in a few more weeks .Think I might head in the direction of an Oscar for the time being until I acquire more knowledge and skills.
regards,
hotdog
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Hotdog,
I own an NS Oscar and a Giotto. One for home and one for work. There is no doubt that if you spend the $2.3k for a Giotto (or similar) you get a very classy machine, but when it all boils down to it, the Oscar can also produce great espresso, and great textured milk - and it looks better than most other small electrical applicances - even with its plastic shell. When I wanted to buy my first non-thermoblock machine - I wanted to get the best performance for the least money (and looks wasnt part of the equation). I settled on Oscar, and have been happy. In fact there are some things I like more about the Oscar than the Giotto (ease of use of drip tray, cup warming, refilling tank).
I would recommend one mod to the Oscar though if you do go down that path, buy a 2 hole steam tip from coffeeparts, and bore out the holes a bit. The 4 hole tip that the oscar ships with is a bit much for a 300ml jug.
Tim
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Ill second that!Originally posted by JavaB link=1180238423/15#16 date=1180706646And as Mal said, these machines are probably not for everyone..... but if you have the skills (and the room to fit it :
).... I personally think they are great. 

Java "Petting his M28 2 group" phile
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Hi hotdog,
As Mal said, several of us have rebuilt, own and operate 2 or 3 group commercial machines at home.....
If you have any queries come on over to the "Extreme Machine" thread. I, and Im sure the rest of us, would be only to happy to answer any queries you might have.
And as Mal said, these machines are probably not for everyone..... but if you have the skills (and the room to fit it :
).... I personally think they are great.
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Gday hotdog,
Had no luck with the Bo-Ema that Phil was selling, eh?
The Oscar is a top shelf machine as far as performance is concerned but as you point out, it seems to create some controversy in some camps about their choice to clad the unit with ABS. This then flows on to resale value as it doesnt seem to be as desirable to people who like bright, shiny chrome and polished s/s... so there is that aspect to consider. Bang for Buck comparisons also rate very highly for the Oscar too, despite the resale issue.
Yep, my little Bezz is well on the way to being completed... probably another three or four weeks. Have been maintaining a pictorial diary of the process so when its finished Ill start a blog somewhere and lay it all out for members interest. As per my Sig, its a model called a MiniBar that is essentially a BZ-35 in a compact enclosure resplendent with Rotary Pump and all the other commercial goodies 8-).
Quite a few of our members have purchased older 2-3 Group Commercial machines for restoration and is a great way to get a high quality machine if your technical/mechanical skills are up to scratch. Lots to consider of course, as you say some do have large boilers and will require more power to keep all that water and metal heated at optimum temperature.... This can be offset though by insulating the Boiler with suitable material. The large footprint will make demands on the average kitchens bench-space, and this can be an issue. On the positive side though, there are lots of benefits stemming mainly from the original intent that these machines were designed for, non-stop commercial operation, which translates into high build quality, high performance, and basically capable of operating on a continuous basis when catering for large groups of people.
JavaB, Robusto, Sparky and many others have their machines described in detail under the "Extreme Machine" category and Im sure they wouldnt mind extolling the virtues of their individual setups :
to help give you an insight into the use of a Multi-Group Commercial machine in a home environment. All the best mate,
Mal.
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Hi Mal,
been down all week with the flu so couldnt reply earlier -thanks for your comments and ive since had a look at the Oscar in person. The ABS plastic cladding doesnt bother me as long as it makes good espresso but dunno about the rest of it as noone seems very enthusiastic about it and it doesnt seem to hold value. Still thinking.
Did I see in the Posts that youre restoring a Bezzera ?
What model ? I have only just come across the Bezzera and the BZ99s looks pretty good -there are some larger second hand 2Group Commercials for sale but I think they have 11litre boilers or something !!!
Regards,
hotdog
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Hi again hotdog,Originally posted by hotdog link=1180238423/0#8 date=1180332091Incidentally thought I noticed among some past posts that you had an Oscar at one time or was I dreaming?
Ive never owned an Oscar myself but a friend had/has one (relocated overseas long ago) and it performed excellently. His was in a black finish so didnt look too bad on the benchtop with similarly coloured devices..... I guess you realise that they are clad in an ABS plastic panelling? Some people reckon this is a detracting issue but I didnt think it looked out of place at my mates place so as with everything, it comes down to horses for courses.
From memory he paid less than the magic $1,000 but that was a few years ago now. Notwithstanding the ABS cladding, it is a true HX machine of very high quality build and of commercial quality hardware. Considering the current price of a new one today though, there may well be equally high quality machines available from our sponsors with a much higher level of service and support, and thats a big thing to consider as the Oscar doesnt seem to be all that well supported but that may well be my misinformed understanding.
Going back to the Bo-Ema though, they are a really well built machine made entirely from high quality commercial hardware right here in Oz so service and support is of a very high level. Havent heard of anything bad said about Bo-Ema support, etc in fact its all been good so you wouldnt be left out in a lurch should you decide to go that way. Anyway, its probably better for you to do your own homework about these sorts of matters and be absolutely satisfied that this is the machine for you. Dont really want to talk you into anything. Happy hunting,
Mal.
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Well JavaB well just share the slab between us
regards
hotdog
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Originally posted by hotdog link=1180238423/0#10 date=1180334998but if the pump wont work from a reservoir looks like a mates rates job for a slab of beer.
;D ;D ;D
If it is a procon pump (and most are) it will happily draw from a reservoir. There are a few (like the one in my La Cimbali) which need positive supply pressure - but these are the minority.
The odds are you will be able to save that slab
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Thanks JavaB.
The bucket under the sink for the drainage sounds good (it can join the others ) but if the pump wont work from a reservoir looks like a mates rates job for a slab of beer. Waiting to hear from Phil
regards
hotdog
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
hotdog,
Yep the Bo-ema (being a commercial coffee machine) does need to be plumbed in - ideally water from the mains via the filters and the drain connected to the household drain (thats how my 2 group is installed)....
But
Some people run the drain into a bucket in the cupboard under the machine..... solves the drainage connection...... and with some machines the pump can draw water from a reservoir rather than the mains (not sure about the pump in Phils).
That way you need minimum plumbing - just got to remember to fill the reservoir occasionally.... and empty the drain bucket of course :
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Hi Mal,
Yes I saw that machine and had a similar thought - great minds thinking alike ! The only thing is it appears to need to be plumbed in - is that a big deal especially for a beginner ? otherwise it could be as you say. Incidentally thought I noticed among some past posts that you had an Oscar at one time or was I dreaming? Anyway thanks for the kind thought and I have just asked Phil if the Bo-ema does need plumbing
Regards
hotdog
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Re: Nuova Simonelli Oscar
Gday hotdog,
Have you noticed the very desirable refurbished Bo-ema 1-Group machine in the 4-Sale Category above? Might be worth your looking at as a fully commercial machine for a domestic machine price-point?
Mal.
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