My GS Project

Ronin

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

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

Brett_H

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

TheLightRoom

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

TheLightRoom wrote:

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

Koffee Kosmo wrote:

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

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

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

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

Brett_H

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

Ronin

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

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

Happy to help mate.

Brett_H

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

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

Ronin

derrilex wrote:

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

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

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

Lacehim

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.

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