More Espresso Machine Restoration - Maybe

[jyl]

Some of you will recall I curbpicked and restored a Elektra commercial 2 group espresso machine a while ago. Thread here Seeking Coffee Snob Opinions - Espresso Machine

I've been looking for another espresso machine to restore, but after a miserable experience with a US made "Grindmaster" piece of crap, I'm only considering old-school Italian machines - Elektra, La Marzzoco, La Pavoni, and so on. These don't come up often locally so my search has been fruitless.

Until now. I have a line on another Elektra commercial 2 group espresso machine which is identical to Elektra #1 in my dining room. Hopefully will see it this weekend and may buy it for about $250 - if it is complete, that is a bargain even if it ends up being parted out.

The seller says he's an espresso repair tech but has too many old machines; he says he powered it up and it heated, held pressure, made steam, and one group worked, while the electronic keypad on the other group was non-responsive. Those keypads are $375 new and the new ones don't exactly match the originals - which is probably why he's getting rid of it - but I know a hobbyist guy who repairs these keypads - tests, desolders and replaces components, etc.

My plan is to do the same as I did with Elektra #1 - complete teardown, descale and strip, polish, replace parts as needed.

This won't be a high priority project, but if its a long winter . . .

Dunno what I'll do with it. I would like an espresso machine in the office but no 220v or plumbing available.

[Bill Douglas]

Well, you are now an expert. Might as well.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by jyl

....... but no 220v or plumbing available.

Yet.

I'm pretty sure you'll figure out a way...

[jyl]

Got the machine biggest challenge is probably going to be cosmetic. front stainless steel panel is dented so I’ll need to figure out how to straighten so it looks perfect.

[Evans, Marv]

Another great (hobby - potentially) project. Keep us posted as you did on the other one. It was super interesting. Who knows? You may have found your niche. I'd love to have a machine like that, but at only one mug of coffee per day in the morning, it wouldn't be worth it.

[LWJ]

On the stainless, you or a talented body guy could do it. I have a buddy in Portland that was world class a few decades ago. Not sure if he still has the chops.

After it is straightened, a polish or grain finish will make it perfect.

[jyl]

Here is Elektra #3 (seller's pic).

The upper front panel, where the gauge is, has multiple small dents. Hard to see in the pic. That'll need to get straightened.

Otherwise the machine looks complete and, per seller, mostly working. Seems in much better shape than Elektra #1 was when I got it.

[jyl]

sounds like I should contact some local auto body or restoration folks