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Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

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  • tasadam
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by Koffee Kosmo link=1218027407/20#27 date=1221890298
    If you want I can do it for you with some automotive gasket and hole punch.
    I will post them to you free (but I need dia size of screw head)

    KK
    Another fine example of how friendly you find people on some forums around the traps. This is definitely one of them.
    Kudos to you for such a fine offer.
    8-)

    Leave a comment:


  • Koffee_Kosmo
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Basically there is no water tight seal where the handle to the drip tray fastens to the tray itself.  So as it fills with water, the water streams out through the handle holes and onto your bench.  Not so cool.

    Following on what Mal said regarding O rings

    My no cost to you method
    Nothing is stopping you from just cutting out washers from a thin piece of wax cardboard (similar to a small round gasket)

    If you want I can do it for you with some automotive gasket and hole punch.
    I will post them to you free (but I need dia size of screw head)

    KK

    Leave a comment:


  • tasadam
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    O rings an excellent idea.

    Mine leaked a bit, I asked the question...
    The VBM drip tray – Drips…
    Shall I tighten the bolt inside the tray?
    Or is it likely there is supposed to be a rubber washer in there or something?
    I imagine it’s just a loose bolt, but thought I should ask you first.
    And I got a response -
    I suggest you tighten it and see how you go…
    So I did - being careful not to overtighten - didnt want to snap anything.
    It hasnt leaked since. No rubber washer, no O-ring, and certainly no silicone...

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Rather than Silicone Sealant, visit your local Repco Motors type store and ask for a couple of O-Rings (Viton if possible) with a hole the same or slightly smaller diameter than the screws securing the handle (may need a flat washer if the head diameter of the screw is too small). Place between the head of the screws and the drip-tray and then tighten. Should provide a reliable seal for many years and not have to use any silicone sealant, some of which uses acetic acid that will mark the stainless steel of your new VBM...

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • yeeza
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    At least you know when its filling up?

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by serenitynow link=1218027407/20#22 date=1221709981
    I recently recieved my new VBM and have been very much enjoying the new addition to our family.  A very cool machine. Our old sunbeam 6900 has had a full clean up and been decommissioned.

    However, in comparing the VBM with say the Giotto, one thing I havent read yet is the fact that all VBM drip trays leak through their handle fastenings.  

    Basically there is no water tight seal where the handle to the drip tray fastens to the tray itself.  So as it fills with water, the water streams out through the handle holes and onto your bench.  Not so cool.

    But it is easily fixed- a dob of silicon will probably do it.  Im just surprised no-one has bothered to correct it and that no-one has mentioned it before (to my knowledge, of course it probably is somewhere on the site).

    No other immediate problems or issues, just a minor one that seemed pertinent to this thread.
    Its a special hidden feature of some VBM drip trays! ;D

    Fortunately, VBM does not charge any extra for this option. As mentioned a drop of silicon will fix it for good....

    Chris

    Leave a comment:


  • serenitynow
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    I recently recieved my new VBM and have been very much enjoying the new addition to our family.  A very cool machine. Our old sunbeam 6900 has had a full clean up and been decommissioned.

    However, in comparing the VBM with say the Giotto, one thing I havent read yet is the fact that all VBM drip trays leak through their handle fastenings.  

    Basically there is no water tight seal where the handle to the drip tray fastens to the tray itself.  So as it fills with water, the water streams out through the handle holes and onto your bench.  Not so cool.

    But it is easily fixed- a dob of silicon will probably do it.  Im just surprised no-one has bothered to correct it and that no-one has mentioned it before (to my knowledge, of course it probably is somewhere on the site).

    No other immediate problems or issues, just a minor one that seemed pertinent to this thread.



    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by ml27 link=1218027407/20#20 date=1219841151
    Excellent! 8-)

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • ml27
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Done! Check em out here:

    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1219294458/20#20

    Mark

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by ml27 link=1218027407/0#18 date=1219796051
    Got the new VBM last night -
    Need some piccies Mark.... Gotta see all that bling in action, ;D

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • ml27
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by Identity link=1218027407/0#11 date=1219669324
    You may find the VBM drip tray with the razor edges isnt so useful when you struggle to get the lid off past the dump valve and spill dregwater everywhere.
    Got the new VBM last night - found out about the sharp drip tray edges first hand (no pun)when wiping it down. Ill need to file these down a bit as in their current state I can imagine id cut myself again. Only a minor prob though, easily fixed - the tray, that is  . Otherwise its awesome!

    Was pleased to see that VBM have addressed the problem of water running down the front face and then down behind the drip tray (rather than into it) by simply bending forward the bottom 1cm of the front panel a bitwhere it meets the mesh screen.

    Mark

    Leave a comment:


  • DesigningByCoffee
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Thanks for that. I thought as much, but until you use a machine at this mid range level it was hard to know. Ive worked in two places in the last year with full commercial machines to cut my teeth on - and you get spoilt. Wasnt sure how this machine stacked up - better than the Cafe Roma, I have no doubt, but up to this commercial standard?

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by DesigningByCoffee link=1218027407/0#15 date=1219729168
    Hi all
    As a new member (itching to get a new machine - living on plunger currently as the Sunbeam turned up its toes a month or two ago and we are about to lose our kitchen to a Reno hence no benches to put a new machine!) I was just wondering how the VBM (future machine of choice) deals with multiple cups of milk based drinks - we do a bit of entertaining. The previous machine required a long weekend to do 6-8 drinks - how would this machine cope?
    Hi DBC and welcome...

    I can assure you that youll be the weak link in the equation with a VBM....Coffee for 50 is a walk in the park with the domobar super

    2mcm

    Leave a comment:


  • DesigningByCoffee
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Hi all
    As a new member (itching to get a new machine - living on plunger currently as the Sunbeam turned up its toes a month or two ago and we are about to lose our kitchen to a Reno hence no benches to put a new machine!) I was just wondering how the VBM (future machine of choice) deals with multiple cups of milk based drinks - we do a bit of entertaining. The previous machine required a long weekend to do 6-8 drinks - how would this machine cope?

    Leave a comment:


  • tasadam
    replied
    Re: Giotto vs VBM Super Lever

    Originally posted by Identity link=1218027407/0#11 date=1219669324
    You may find the VBM drip tray with the razor edges isnt so useful when you struggle to get the lid off past the dump valve and spill dregwater everywhere.

    cheers,

    John
    I dont understand this.
    On my VBM the drip tray has no razor bits.
    If you pull the drip tray out and want to clean the metalwork around the area under the drip tray, better be tough skinned for that - some of that metal is sharp, though the need to get to it with hand is rare.
    As for the "lid off past the dump valve", I assume you mean the mesh screen - which is in effect the lid to the drip tray. And the dump valve is the exit flow for the pressure release on the E61 mechanism - big round nutty (hexagon bits) shiny steel bit that extends down almost to the mesh screen.
    Remove the drip tray then slide the mesh screen (lid) off. Never a risk of spilling.
    In any case, Ive never had a problem removing my lid without the need to opening the drip tray any, just raise it a bit at the front, slide it forward past the "dump valve", and it is free to lift off. If you need to. If you are removing it, one would assume for a clean - so you would likely be removing the drip reay anyhow.
    And with a drip tray that big, if its full enough to risk spillage, shame on you. Fullest I had mine was about three quarters when I forgot I had done a flush. No problem carrying that to the sink.
    On the VBM, doesnt the OPV flow go back to the tank anyhow?

    Having said all that, there may be a better design out there, or at least, one that you like better. Go have a look, and make up your own mind, basing your decision on what you like, with all the things you read here in the back of your mind - things to look at when you see the machine for yourself and think "So thats what they mean when they say...", and then decide whether you think it will be a problem for you.

    What I mean is, I like my VBM and have no hassles with it. Others might like the Giotto or another machine more for their own reasons or experience. Can I imagine myself being happy with a different machine? Possibly. I havent seen comparable machines (being in Tasmania) so cant say for sure.
    But at this price point, whatever you get is likely to be pretty good and were all probably splitting hairs a bit.

    Ive never burnt myself on the steam valve either. I know it gets hot, so it gets put into position and a nudge to fine tune the angle doesnt kill my skin - it does have a rubber thingy on it to protect you a bit - the rubber transmits heat somewhat so you cant hang on to it. But operationally, I have no issues with the steam wand.

    This has probably all been said before so Ill shut up now & let you decide.
    You are going to love making coffee that good soooo much. Just have a look at the "happy" comments by new owners through the various posts of owners. When you see the rich dark brown gold flowing from the group, when you smell what it is telling you, when you taste your coffee you will know how happy they were - you will be enjoying the start of what will for you be a long and successful partnership with a machine and its capability, driven correctly.
    Enjoy!

    Leave a comment:

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