FS: £140 upgraded gaggia classic and loads of accessories! Sold for asking

ThePrettyDamned

Selling my espresso machine. It started life as a Gaggia selecta deluxe, which is a lower end model with slightly more basic appointments in a mild steel chassis.

The machine was rebuilt with a classic boiler, OPV and new pump. The OPV has been set to 9 bar, a standard modification. The steam wand has been upgraded to the vastly superior rancilio Sylvia wand and a new stainless shower screen. Also has a high quality brass dispersion plate. 

It has been descale regularly, and backflushed with puly caff. Also included are sachets of puly descaler and a huge tub of puly caff (you only need a teaspoon each time so it'll last ages). 

Comes with original brass portafilter, though it's missing the two way splitter, a bottomless portafilter (triple size, but actually a double - holds about 17-18g coffee), a single and double basket for the original portafilter, a rhinowares steel and aluminium tamper, a small rubber tamping mat, a backflush blanking disc and a rhinowares non-stick milk jug, which is great for latte art.

The machine works perfectly as you'd expect and has made many nice coffees - however, I want to fund some guitar kit and so this is up. 

Collection from Cambridgeshire. £140 is an extremely good price I think, the accessories would come to around 50 quid alone and this has almost all the standard upgrades performed. 

Only negative is the case, being mild steel, has rusted prior to my ownership. It's not structural or visible in use, as it's under the drip tray. I have treated with Kurust and it has stabilised the rust and prevented further spreading, ready for painting if you want. Pics coming soon! 

ThePrettyDamned

 

jacklawtey

Great machine that, I'd have it if I wasn't across the channel. Upgraded? 

Edit: as in, have you upgraded? 

ThePrettyDamned

jacklawtey said:

Great machine that, I'd have it if I wasn't across the channel. Upgraded? 

Edit: as in, have you upgraded? 

If only. I want to free some funds for some guitar purchases. I want a couple set up and, if this sells, I can also get some spare bits and bobs. I was torn between guitars and a new grinder, and guitars won  

colourofsound

DAMN. What year is this? Is it Italian made, or is it post Philips take over?

EDIT: I guess if its been rebuilt it doesnt matter...

jacklawtey

ThePrettyDamned said:

jacklawtey said:

Great machine that, I'd have it if I wasn't across the channel. Upgraded? 

Edit: as in, have you upgraded? 

If only. I want to free some funds for some guitar purchases. I want a couple set up and, if this sells, I can also get some spare bits and bobs. I was torn between guitars and a new grinder, and guitars won  

A wise choice. Let me know if you'd consider posting! I'll sort it all out, would just need you to box 'er up.

ThePrettyDamned

colourofsound said:

DAMN. What year is this? Is it Italian made, or is it post Philips take over?

EDIT: I guess if its been rebuilt it doesnt matter...

It's rebuilt from older parts, with all the usual fixes and benefits of the older models, versus the newer (which I think are missing an adjustable OPV?). 

It's got every standard upgrade bar the temperature PID. That could be fitted, it's a very standard thing. 

Italian made I believe originally, for what that's worth... 

jacklawtey said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

jacklawtey said:

Great machine that, I'd have it if I wasn't across the channel. Upgraded? 

Edit: as in, have you upgraded? 

If only. I want to free some funds for some guitar purchases. I want a couple set up and, if this sells, I can also get some spare bits and bobs. I was torn between guitars and a new grinder, and guitars won  

A wise choice. Let me know if you'd consider posting! I'll sort it all out, would just need you to box 'er up.

It's a big ol thing, would cost a fair bit! But I'll let you know not much to break at least... 

strumjoughlamps

My first Gaggia, Rackhams special, basically a Classic without the 3 way solenoid. 

Great machine it was 

ThePrettyDamned

strumjoughlamps said:

My first Gaggia, Rackhams special, basically a Classic without the 3 way solenoid. 

Great machine it was 

I think this was the same, but with a fixed OPV. Now has the 3 way solenoid and adjustable OPV. Also has brass dispersion plate, which I think is an upgrade - didn't notice that! 

robinbowes

Wow, I never knew there was so much to know about coffee makers!

I have a Gaggia Classic - tell me about it? (Sorry for thread hijack!)

R.

ThePrettyDamned

robinbowes said:

Wow, I never knew there was so much to know about coffee makers!

I have a Gaggia Classic - tell me about it? (Sorry for thread hijack!)

R.

No worries! 

Older gaggia classics are a good beginner machine, but from factory are set up for disappointing coffee - I've no idea why. They have a quality boiler, half decent pump, an adjustable overpressure valve, a solenoid, decent quality bits. The portafilter is a common enough size for replacements and bottomless variants.

However, they're fitted with a pretty poor steam wand with multiple steam holes and the overpressure valve is set to 15 bars, which is insanely high pressure - grind too fine and your puck fractures and channelling occurs. Grind slightly less fine and you get an underextracted gushing shot. 

The solution is easy - replace the cheap plastic steam wand with a Rancilio Sylvia steam wand, which has only a single hole. This requires a bit of fettling and a new washer/seal I think. The OPV is already an adjustable part, so you can use a gauge and set it to a more usable 9/10 bar static for typical good espresso pressure, or lower if you're into that. 

The final mod is a PID for better temperature regulation of the group head and better steam performance, but when you know the machine you can "surf" the temperature - for steam, turn on the steam, wait for 30 seconds and start steaming. The light will not come on, but it means the heating element will stay on for more consistent steam pressure and far better texturised milk. 

Purge after steaming to cool the group head back to around 95 degrees, ready for the next shot. 

It's a good hobby. I just don't have the grinder I need and would rather invest in guitar gear right now.

Mine is, for all intents and purposes, nearly a fully upgraded classic but in a mild steel chassis rather than brushed stainless. 

robinbowes

Interesting stuff. I may start a new thread to discuss. I need a new grinder so will start there!

R.

djspecialist

robinbowes said:

Interesting stuff. I may start a new thread to discuss. I need a new grinder so will start there!

R.

This thread is timely, as my Classic has just given up the ghost.  While @ThePrettyDamned's upgraded machine looks nice, I'd like to try fixing mine - so I have started a thread here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/186070/gaggia-classic

JCR53S

ThePrettyDamned said:

 

Is this still available?

ThePrettyDamned

JCR53S said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

 

Is this still available?

No. Thread title had already been updated saying sold at asking.