My GS Project

TheLightRoom · April 2012

Hey Ronin, Any further progress on your GS beasty? I've been following with a LOT of interest! Cheers.

Ronin · April 2012

Hi TLR and thanks for the prompt, been a bit slack re this thread. Mostly finished now, Installed PID fixed wiring problems and just need to mount the PID controller (think I have a suitable place now) and finish the cosmetics. Stalled a bit too, I'd love to plug it in, but landlord is reluctant to fix wiring problems and I'm not about to risk my machine on dodgy house wiring. Anyway here are some bad pics from the phone camera. You'll get the idea

Ronin · April 2012

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Ronin · April 2012

Wow they are really bad photos, worse than I thought. Sorry bout that

Brett H · April 2012

Bloody hell. That Can't be the same machine surely. It looks amazing. Congratulations mate! :thumb:

TheLightRoom · April 2012

That GS is looking awesome. So pleased it's turning out so well. Not too 70s at all mate!! Can't wait to hear about it being switched on in your new place for the first time!

Koffee_Kosmo · April 2012

on 1335493089:

That GS is looking awesome. So pleased it's turning out so well. Not too 70s at all mate!! Can't wait to hear about it being switched on in your new place for the first time!

I personally like the industrial look Thanks for the update KK

TheLightRoom · May 2012

on 1335498359:

I personally like the industrial look Thanks for the update KK

Yup I love the look of it too... as I think I implied by saying it "is looking awesome". :thumb:

Ronin · June 2012

Made some timber paddles and used shellac to finish them. I used Rosewood, has a nice grain and is used in outdoor furniture so prob has the best chance of staying stable with the heat. Looking at the group caps too but will need a slight redesign as the 4mm average thickness will have no strength to it. 2mm in one place. That's probably why there isn't any timber group caps in use that I could find. Will need to glue it up in segments for strenght too, hopefully it'll look ok when done. Pics

Ronin · June 2012

Just a note here, it's easier if you don't forget the routed section in the bottom, or you will need to set it up in the milling machine. :doh: Small design change at the front for strength

Koffee_Kosmo · June 2012

May I just say That my friend is spunky :thumb: KK

Brett H · June 2012

Real artisan stuff Ronin! Beautiful job mate. Is the machine shot ready yet?

Ronin · June 2012

Thanks guys, my wife likes the paddles too. I don't think they are anything special, but after a while working with timber, it wasn't hard. I think it's shot ready Brett, just need a safe power point = not in this house. I want to plug it in (to fix any leaks that might appear) and get it working, or fix problems.

Ronin · August 2012

Update time Took the machine to Espresso Mechanics to test and tag the machine, and of course check my work. Very helpful bunch of guys here is Brisbane, Mark has been looking at the GS for me and found some mistakes and differences in the wiring from original. He has contacted a number of people to get a the original wiring diagram and has possibly found one from La Marzocco in Italy who are apparently happy to supply it, but are on hols till the end of August. I think I'll wait to see how it was done originally. I really cant speak highly enough of Mark at Espresso Mechanics, very helpful and knowledgeable. He also has the Slayer form Cup Speciality Coffee and the Synesso from Pourboy in the shop ATM, so the GS is in good company. Apparently some guys from Toby's Estate were in the other day and were impressed with my work, and asked if the boilers were original as they are so clean. The timber group caps are not coming along as i had hoped. There are too many glue joins visually, but needed for stability. I've been looking at the handles Derrilex has made which has got me thinking about resin/ timber look group cap and taps. Time to investigate and speak to the man himself.

derrilex · August 2012

Happy to help mate.

Brett H · August 2012

Thanks for the update Ronin. Great to know that there is a good tech in town also :thumb: I can tell you that you won't have any stability issues with DX's resins. I was shocked at how strong and solid it is! Interestingly I think it is the same stuff some bozos used to seal cracks in my carport slab before concrete spraying it. I had a play with the cured leftovers when they left and it seems similar. Would this be the case DX? Obviously theirs wasn't pretty colours but fairly clear in colour.

derrilex · August 2012

The "bozo's" :laugh: normally use epoxy resin for concrete - or anything in the building industry as its generally more flexible than polyester

Ronin · November 2012

on 1345334939:

The "bozo's" :laugh: normally use epoxy resin for concrete - or anything in the building industry as its generally more flexible than polyester

I thought this quote funny D. I've been using resins for almost 17 yrs at work, mostly epoxy, because of the strength and durability. We mix it with slate powder to increase these properties. I have no expierence with these products in the building industry however, but everything I have read and sales people I've spoken to contradicts what you say here. I believe epoxy to be more expensive also. Perhaps it's industry dependant.

Ronin · November 2012

Had a play with the GS today, long time between drinks. I initially got this project because I had time to spare, but lately it seems I have none. 2 more projects which have had priority, firstly we needed a house, but purchased one in need of some work = time poor me. Second is my wife's 9mth project that is almost half baked now. Anyway, got some leaks in places I expected, brew boiler end plates for example, and others I was not expecting, through the gasket between brew boiler and group heads, and an OPV on the brew boiler. Yep, a brand new opv that leakes like a hose. Steam boiler looking good and most plumbing good too. Most will be an easy fix, hopefully I won't need to pull off the group spouts too.

Koffee_Kosmo · November 2012

High temp food grade gasket sealant may be the answer This can be used on the threads as well KK

Lacehim · November 2012

I know how your feel mate. I pulled down my San Marino many many times to fix leaks. It just seemed that you fix one, and cause another. Take a deep breath! Count to 10! I used a high temp foodgrade sealant but I found it very messy to use, in the end I used the pink thicker plumbers tape. Worked well.

Ronin · November 2012

on 1351832690:

High temp food grade gasket sealant may be the answer This can be used on the threads as well KK

That's the thing KK, I used sealant around all gaskets (both sides) and bolts. I looks like its leaking through the middle of the gasket. More investigation needed of course.

sky · November 2012

Either that machine is one in a million or I could swear that machine came from my kitchen counter, Im in Seattle back in the united states. Did you pick this up from Espresso parts by chance in the states? It looks identical. Sky P.S. I still have some stuff for that machine lol...

Brett H · November 2012

on 1353555359:

Either that machine is one in a million or I could swear that machine came from my kitchen counter, Im in Seattle back in the united states. Did you pick this up from Espresso parts by chance in the states? It looks identical. Sky P.S. I still have some stuff for that machine lol...

Welcome Sky! We've seen some left-field first posts but I think yours might take the cake!! Welcome mate... Sounds like you're into some pretty high end gear. This GS looks amazing!

sky · November 2012

So you wanna hear a story..... If this is the same machine, And looking at it with the paint being in the same shape and the paddles as such. I have a lot of high end gear in Seattle, A couple gs paddles, synesso stuff, vintage lever pulls and the new stuff too. If this is the same machine I found it in the back of a shipping container in the middle of the forest near Mt Rainier, Some Junkies had inherited a whole cafe setup from Tacoma. I was casually browsing through there stuff when I saw it. it was most unfortunate that upon seeing my smirk they doubled the price on me lol! I took it home and messed with it, I put this machine on display due to its retro cool styling. never really turned it on for the year I had it, (did the sight glass leak? lol) a few years back I got super burned out on repairing / refurbing machines and sold it to a buddy of mine to buy a 78 VW bus and hit the coast. I super regret selling this machine!!! This is probably one of the best original condition gs machines I have ever seen or heard off. Paul Pratt has some beautiful restorations and there is a rumor that there is a brand new one sitting in a box in a basement in Seattle.but otherwise. PM me with any questions if this is the same machine. P.S. Dont drop the caps! Sky. :pan

Ronin · November 2012

Hi Sky Sounds like the same machine to me ;D Interesting story re the machine any more info on it? Good condition for a 30ish year old machine when I got it, but the wiring was shot. It was crumbling in my hand when I touched it so, No I didn't turn it on. It looked like the sight glass was leaking at some point, but not now it isn't :laugh: I don't regret you selling this machine, for what's its worth. Paul Pratt has helped me with the restoration, Ive tried to keep any mods easily reversible eg. PID & SSR are mounted on brackets that use existing holes, and I changed the colour (have been in two minds with this tho as I like the colour it is, but it's not original) I was under the assumption that the yellow was not standard and the orange is not to my liking. Group caps still in good condition 8) and I've made a mold to make replicas. Made a trial one which looks ok but needs a little refinement. What parts do you still have? I'm very interested

derrilex · November 2012

Gotta love the "small world" stories :thumb:

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