SpruitCommuter

Grinder is still up for grabs - Looking to get around R11k for it.

And here's the La Pavoni in action:

Here's a video of the grinder in action - grinding a triple shot:

It was a water carafe (something like the image below). I scored it just above the band around the neck using a little hand glass cutter and then used heat/cold shock to cut the glass (needed a minor sand afterwards).

I am relocating in a few weeks and I'm not 100% sure about whether or not to take my coffee setup - a 90s La Pavoni Europicola Professional lever machine and a refurbished Mazzer Major grinder. So I've decided that at the right price I would be willing to let them go. The Mazzer is a total beast - weighs 18kg and has 83mm flat burrs - grinds very quickly. I replaced the burrs rewired it to run on a simple toggle switch, had it painted and a dosing chute fabricated. The Pavoni is in amazing condition given it's age - it has the pre-millenium groupset and I have a triple and a double basket - I also have the original three hole steam wand as well as a replacement single hole one. I have also cut a segment out of an LED heatsink that supposedly helps with temperature management. I'm based near Northcliff in Johannesburg. PM me if you're interested.

I have a basically new Aeropress (including the original accessories), a Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton (original not plus) and an Able Brewing fine stainless steel reusable filter. I am not using them and so I wondered if anyone reading this thread would like to buy them from me. I'm located near Northcliff. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

I had a Gaggia Classic for quite a long time - I changed out the steam wand for the Rancilio one and it made a huge difference. I also got a bottomless porta filter and stuck a temperature probe in next to the boiler to watch the temperature cycle.

Martin at partshub has assisted me in the past. http://www.partshub.co.za/

My Escapade in it's latest guise - feels kinda weird having gears after running it as a single speed for a few years. Though I'm very pleased with the bar end shifter - very easy and precise shifting - I can shift through the whole cassette super quickly.

I'm not sure if you're set on the automatic version, but I saw there is a manual version on Gumtree (https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-store-catering-equipment/benoni/expobar-coffee-machine/1002386733160911340035609) for 11k.

Totally agree that if you have to choose between the Silvia and the classic at the same price Silvia is a better bet. But I've found you can pick up the Gaggia Classic much cheaper second hand - e.g. https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-coffee-makers/kempton-park/gaggia-classic/1002389589840911249152009

Had a classic for quite a while. Fun little machine. It has an even smaller boiler than the Silvia and so temperature management is important. I replaced the stock steamwand with a Rancilio one from ebay, also replaced the portafilter and portafilter handle with a triple bottomless one (also from ebay). There's a whole online community around modding these machines - www.gaggiausersgroup.com and getting the most out of them.

I have had the Wega for a few years - very happy with it.

I placed an order on the 10th, completely oblivious to this thread. I selected the (free because the order was large) standard shipping, and it's being handled by DHL. Is it just a lottery or have they switched back?

I've successfully used a hole saw a few times to turn a regular portafilter into a naked portafilter. The brass is pretty soft and so it's not difficult to do. I then used a couple of different grits of sand paper wrapped around the same hole saw to clean up. If your portafilter is brass with a chrome plating (as the ones I've used are) your cut will expose the brass and so the finish will be different where you drill through. I would also recommend getting a nice precision triple basket (VST or IMS perhaps).

Very cool - so very tight on the chainstay clearances? How does the diameter of the wheel with the tyre compare with a 40mm on a 29er/700c (or whatever you were running before)? Wondering how much it drops the bottom bracket...

What tyre width?

I have a 58.4 tamper which I use with my triple VST baskets - fits pretty nice and snug - could even be a tiny bit wider.

I don't have an opinion on either machine - though I see that the Philips can be had at Loot.co.za for R7k. http://www.loot.co.za/product/philips-3100-series-fully-automatic-espresso-machine-b/cynb-4719-g730?referrer=googlemerchant&PPC=Y&gclid=CMOCr5f8utQCFWm77Qod7tYM8A

This is my new Solaris 650b+ build: Large Solaris Mk2 Fox Float FIT4 Performance - 120mm WTB Asym i35 and i29 on hope pro 4 WTB Trailblazer 2.8" tyres Lyne Dropper XT 1x11 drivetrain SRAM Level TL brakes Rapide 50mm stem, 780 riser bars and seat Fun

Sounds like he installed a vacuum breaker e.g. http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/lack-of-opv-and-vacuum-breaker-t16998.html

I have the Wega 5.8 - I'm extremely happy with it. It's pretty fast and easy to adjust. Personally I don't use the "touch" functionality. I had an entry level Baratza before the Wega and there's no comparison. I've even seen them used in coffee shops as a lower volume second grinder for decaf. As far as I understand it is the same machine as the Compak K3 - with slightly different finish and branding. The grinder with the hopper is pretty tall, but I've ended up just using the neck of a 5 litre bottle instead - just put as much coffee as I'll use that morning and when it gets low stick something like a shot class in to stop it popcorning. Photos aren't great but they give you the idea:

I still have a brand new set of TRP Hylex drop lever hydraulic disc brakes and rotors. Great option for anyone keen on building up a SSCX or adventure bike. https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/237843-brakes/ I've used my set for a few weeks now and they're great - so much less tweaking than the set of mechanical disc brakes I had previously.

I'm selling two sets of drop bar disc brakes if any of you are interested: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/236533-brakes/ Used Shimano BR-CX77 mechanical disc brakes Tektro RL340 Aero Levers Cables and mounting adaptors and https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/236532-brakes/ Brand new set of TRP Hylex Hydraulic Disc Brakes https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/236536-road-tyres-tubes/ also have some 40x700c On-One gravel road tyres - with light use

I was given this: http://www.loot.co.za/product/james-hoffmann-the-world-atlas-of-coffee/lwgw-2966-ga50?referrer=pricecheckcampaigns&utm_source=PriceCheck&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=PriceCheck It's a nice book (although I actually ended up exchanging it for another non-coffee book). Seems to get decent reviews too: https://www.amazon.com/World-Atlas-Coffee-Explored-Explained/dp/1770854703#customerReviews