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Grimac La Uno refurb Project at a novice

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  • #16
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ID:	738462Starting to soak some internals and the group head

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    • #17
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ID:	738467Soaking the internals and cleaning up the externals

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      • #18
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ID:	738472It all came up looking pretty good i thought. Shame about the chassis

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        • #19
          As you can see from the photos the majority of the rust in the chassis and the bottom of the upright stand part. The main problem with the chassis is the rust in the join where the upright part meets the bottom rectangle stand part. I had the chassis sand blasted and its had a coat of anti rust put on it. I'll post a picture of it soon. I'd really be interested in seeing it finished but i think the chassis is a bit beyond my know how and possibly my budget as well.

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          • #20
            Nice work so far Jt8...

            Regarding the corroded chassis elements, you can buy flat and right-angle steel stock quite cheaply at the sizes you would need. Maybe try to find someone with a home MIG/TIG setup and bribe them with a couple of bags of beautiful freshly roasted coffee....

            Mal.

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            • #21
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ID:	738476Here are two photos of what the chassis/frame look like at the moment. Obviously it has been sandblasted and coated with an anti rust. Any advice on where to go with it now? I'd be prepared to spend $100-$200 maybe on the repair of the frame. I'd also be happy to travel to the northern suburbs of Sydney of Newcastle. I've got a soft spot for this machine but looks like it may be in the 'too hard' basket. I don't really know anyone with a mig welder except my mate who sandblasted this, and he is only a beginner with the welder.

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              • #22
                Definitely worth repairing, from those photos....

                Shouldn't cost you much more than $100 to get it done either. Try the yellow pages for your area Jt8, bound to be someone who can help you out...

                Mal.

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                • #23
                  As others have said, that damage isn't *that* bad, any fabricator worth their salt would be able to sort you out, and it ought to be well within your $100-200 budget for the repair, and you'd probably have enough over to get the chassis powder coated too

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                  • #24
                    Hope you dont mind me making a few candid comments that may help.

                    The machine is obsolete and not worth a cracker in real terms so I hope you got it for "a song" rather than for an exchange of the folding stuff.

                    That said however, the machine is turned into a worthwhile project for your own enjoyment, to do with as you will (and spend as much as you want....to get what you want...).

                    The rust presents no problem and can be dealt with for relatively little money (as stated by others). The good thing is the chassis is still intact. If it had collapsed with blasting, then there would have been more of a problem...

                    Once that is repaired you can basically reassemble and whalla. Is there really such a big problem spending a few small hundies, given (insert unashamed assumption here) it cost nothing in the first place?

                    If the project was mine and meant to be a keeper, I would replace the original steam valve (rubbish) with a real steam valve, and I would see if there may be enough room in the body to fit a small motor/pump (rotary) assembly in place of the original vibrating pump. If bought new (motor/pump assembly) it will cost a pretty penny....but I am still going on the assumption that the machine cost nothing to begin with...

                    The motor/pump and a real steam valve will transform the machine...but that's just me.

                    And of course the fitment of a motor/pump externally (under bench as per old style commercial) would be easier than trying to fit into the body, but makes the machine a lot more of a "permanent" fitment. But then again....how many people actually move their machines often despite they can be picked up and moved instantly when they are not "plumb ins"?

                    And of course if the motor/pump fitment is external, then it doesnt need to be the small sized motor/pump assembly and will be easier to pick up a regular sized assembly second hand for a nice price.

                    Note the machine if restored to its original condition....will still only be worth small change in real terms to sell (only what you and a buyer may one day agree on as being acceptable to both parties) because it is still an old machine that doesnt perform as well as a modern new variants. However it will be vastly improved for your own satisfaction in use (in my opinion) with the two mods I suggested....if its for personal use rather than for sale.

                    Hope that helps.

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                    • #25
                      Very true words TOK. My grimac cost me a pitance and I spend about double that getting it back to workig order. Would not get my money back if i sold it though. I'd did it as a learning experience (my first hx resto) and ended up giving it to my father.

                      jt8 if you do get it fixed it would be worth getting it done properly. There is a bit of weight that sits on that part of the frame: the group head for one, boiler and your cups and ect.. on the drying tray. Get a few quotes. Email the picks to a few fabricator's and see what comes back. The rest of the parts look good and will come up a treat.

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                      • #26
                        Hi jthomas

                        Maybe approach the entire project as a learning experience in that the skills you pickup restoring this one will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to do a future restoration on something else that you pick up years later.

                        Mike

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                        • #27
                          Good news I found a metal worker who said he will have to a go at trying to fix the chassis a bit for me for $50!

                          He said he will hold onto it for a little while though and chip away at it when he has time. So I will post some more when it gets back to me. I definitely want to change the steam wand to a la cimbali wand but I'll wait to make sure it's up and running first before spending that money.

                          Thanks for for all the comments I definitely take the all on board and appreciate your advice.

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                          • #28
                            Hello Everyone,

                            So glad to find this post! I recently bought a Grimac La Uno as well. It was selling for $500 on assumption it was in good working condition. However when we tried running it no water came through, the motor did sound like it was working. I opened it up but no obvious problems besides clear indication that the heating element had leaked. It rusted the heating element connections and green oxide scale in the general area. It has been previously stored in a storage room for 4 years. I managed to get the price down to $100 and decided to give this restoration project a go.

                            First question I had is where can i source parts domestically? I already know that I will required a heating element.

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                            • #29
                              Originally posted by TOK View Post
                              If the project was mine and meant to be a keeper, I would replace the original steam valve (rubbish) with a real steam valve, and I would see if there may be enough room in the body to fit a small motor/pump (rotary) assembly in place of the original vibrating pump. If bought new (motor/pump assembly) it will cost a pretty penny....but I am still going on the assumption that the machine cost nothing to begin with...

                              The motor/pump and a real steam valve will transform the machine...but that's just me.

                              Hope that helps.
                              Hi Tok - I'm interested to know what steam valve you would use as I've just picked one of these up. Do you mean the anti depression valve on top of the boiler?

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                              • #30
                                I've been using mine for the past 2 years with solid daily use and had no issues so far. My view is if it ain't broke yet.....

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