Couldn't help myself

derrilex · June 2013

I went to the Bezzera warehouse sale this morning fully intent on buying some accessories and nothing more. And I did, sort of. A set of espresso cups and a fancy looking milk jug. However, Chris had a few brand new machines that had a bit of water damage as the result of water being left in the tank during transit from the Brisbane warehouse to the retail shop. Amongst them was a Mitica, essentially exactly the same internals as a Strega but with a E61 head instead of the lever group. I had a look, remained strong and left. I lasted about 10 minutes at home and set off for Bezzera again. Needless to say I now have the Mitica at home after a mega deal was struck. I stripped it down and cleaned up the bits that needed cleaning and now the relearning begins. A few pics of what is was like when I got it. Nothing major at all, just a few rust stains on the chassis, a few water marks on the boiler and a few rust stains here and there on the stainless. All cosmetic.

derrilex · June 2013

A bit of Brasso and WD40 and it came up a treat.

RichardM · June 2013

Knowing what you paid for that, I am insanely jealous.

Koffee_Kosmo · June 2013

Congratulations on your purchase And a job well done as it looks better than new now May the coffee gods look kindly upon you and may you have thousands of god shots KK

admin · June 2013

looks beautiful - congrats Derrilex

derrilex · June 2013

on 1372495194:

Knowing what you paid for that, I am insanely jealous.

:rofl: :rofl:. Yep RM, just too good to refuse. I defy anyone to pass it up at the money. 1/3rd price, can't argue with that.

derrilex · June 2013

on 1372495410:

Congratulations on your purchase And a job well done as it looks better than new now May the coffee gods look kindly upon you and may you have thousands of god shots KK

Can I join the polishing club now KK ? :D

shape_shifter · June 2013

Deal of the year that one D :thumb:

Brett H · June 2013

Bloody brilliant mate! Congratulations!!

Kelsey · June 2013

Awesome work D! Congrats!

derrilex · June 2013

Thanks guys. :thumb: now would Brett have done :rofl:

Seeya Latte · June 2013

Nice pickup D

Brett H · June 2013

on 1372509847:

Thanks guys. :thumb: now would Brett have done :rofl:

Brett would now demand bespoke customised group handles, knobs and a tamper stand all matched in a durable hard wearing material like....

STAT WITH PICTURES and I'll try to pop over for a coffee soon!! :thumb:

Brett H · June 2013

on 1372546754:

Brett would now demand bespoke customised group handles, knobs and a tamper stand all matched in a durable hard wearing material like.... STAT WITH PICTURES and I'll try to pop over for a coffee soon!! :thumb:

Oh yeah... and the resin bling has to be designed and made by the finest artisan!!! I've attached a link: http://m1174.photobucket.com/albums/derrilex/Ringtail Resin Craft/

derrilex · June 2013

Resin stuff coming for sure. Need to swap some PF handles and see if the 99 naked will seal ( lugs different position). Must say, I loving the flick taps.

C-man · June 2013

way to go! how's the gooy doubles now?

UNM · June 2013

suddenly e-61 machines seem to be getting popular here. Welcome to the select group. Old technology, but still works fine and they do look kinda nice.

Brett H · June 2013

on 1372557766:

Old technology, but still works fine and they do look kinda nice.

That's an interesting and understated point. One of my 'must-haves' on my dream machine was he Faema 1961 head with its pre infusion and thermal stability (read blingy good looks)!

Ol Grumpy · June 2013

Nice bit 'o' coffee bling you scored there... Course your gonna have to build an appropriate coffee shrine to worship said bling.... I've just discovered recently that Mr Bezzera's daughter and my daughter play basketball together.... Not that, that means anything, just sayin....

GaryatGala · June 2013

Definitely deal of the year at 1/3 of the price of a new machine. Great job on the WD40/Brasso combo there :thumb: There's a lot of owner satisfaction when you get to clean, having a good look and play with your machine compared to buying a brand spanking new one and not touching the inside. Brasso did a splendid job on anything stainless I had including motorcycle exhausts which blinded motorists with it's gleam. :D

Lacehim · June 2013

Nice job D. So next coffee social at your place then?

derrilex · June 2013

Very possibly Lacehim, might wait for the weather to warm up so the pool can be used :thumb: Gary, yep, too good to walk past OG, kitchen needs a rework to accommodate this and other projects. Cheap deals if you get in good with Chris :D Doubles are great C-Man. OPV is adjusted now so we shall see how the next one pours

derrilex · July 2013

Ok, so I had the covers off the Mitica adjusting the OPV and I noticed how quickly the machine was cycling. It was on for 7 seconds and off for 27 seconds on average. I pulled the 99 out and fired it up and it is on for 9 seconds and off for 1 min 47 seconds. Hmmmmm. I looked for leaks and found nothing, as one would expect. The machine does sit in front of an enormous servery window and there was a breeze blowing through but still.... Anyway, I went to Bumrings and picked up a roll of R 2 Earthwool. It's non combustible and can be delaminated for thinner sections and at $ 25 for a huge roll it made sense. There is heaps of room in the Mitica so install is easy. It's not pretty but very effective. All back together and the figures are now on for 7 seconds and off for 2 mins 15 secs on average. Result ! Here is the stuff I used http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_earthwool-r20-90-x-430mm-glasswool-insulation-roll_P810890.aspx?search=insulation&searchType=any&searchSubType=products&page=3

Lacehim · July 2013

I really don't understand why this isn't done standard on all espresso machines to improve efficiency. Typical manufactures that don't worry about in the inside, they just worry about the bling on the outside.

derrilex · July 2013

If I ever pull the boiler out I'll make it look a lot neater but as it is the insulation completely encases the boiler, keeps the wires off the hot bits and gives the brain heaps of protection. I guess cost is the factor but really, there is no excuse. It could be done so neatly and easily at the point of assembly in the factory but the 50 cents worth of insulation is obviously not manufacturer (all of them) priority. The shiny bits sell

Brett H · July 2013

Great result there and quite a BAAH... gain :rofl: Seriously now has this effected your machines thermal stability and subsequent shot temperatures/cooling flush times?? I did this on my old HX and had to adjust the pressure-stat down further to stop the burnt coffee tastes.

derrilex · July 2013

I do have to flush a bit longer now Brett. Although the splutter is quite subtle compared to the 99 so one has to listen carefully. Mind you, I'll take that any day over a over keen cycling boiler. I've knocked the Pstat down a touch to just over 1.1

Brett H · July 2013

on 1373283898:

I do have to flush a bit longer now Brett. Although the splutter is quite subtle compared to the 99 so one has to listen carefully. Mind you, I'll take that any day over a over keen cycling boiler. I've knocked the Pstat down a touch to just over 1.1

Absolutely agree and any Bezzera owner will tell you that even at a mere 1 bar it's still enough steam to coat your ceiling in milk!!

derrilex · July 2013

Yes it is

. The Mitica textures milk so effortlessly too. Note that I'm giving credit to the machine not the nut behind the wheel :D

UNM · July 2013

Interesting. I would have thought shot temperature would drop slightly not rise with the insulation Edit: Did you fully insulate lines from heat exchanger to group head?

Brett H · July 2013

on 1373323195:

Interesting. I would have thought shot temperature would drop slightly not rise with the insulation Edit: Did you fully insulate lines from heat exchanger to group head?

Yep, me too! Mine got noticeably hotter at the group head. I think insulating the copper pipes to the GH would really mess up the manufacturer's thermal design for the machine wouldn't it??

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