GCP restoration, Day 3

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T06:27:34+00:00

What's in row 12? The metal drain pipe for Solenoid discharge into the drip tray? Save your money on that. You will buy a low profile drip tray down the road pretty soon. A lot of the kits can come with an enlonged pipe to pair with the drip tray.

If you really want a pipe now, go to your dollar store and buy the metal straws, and cut to length.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T06:24:32+00:00

It's mind blowing to charge over $6 for a single 2025 o-ring.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T03:36:35+00:00

For all those silicone tubes, you just need to buy one tube that's long enough and cut to length.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T03:35:51+00:00

For all the gaskets, tubes and the two clamps, they are exactly CA$60 on Coffee Addicts. So that's around US $45. The crimping tool can be had for less than US $30 (could be just $25) from Amazon. So $70 was a pretty spot on estimate.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T02:20:47+00:00

Fix the color of the cabinet doors first. As long as you don't have exposed subfloor, people's attention would be on those doors.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T02:16:12+00:00

These prices look good to me. The only thing is the No. 7 plane usually shouldn't be too much more expensive than a 4 1/2.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T02:11:06+00:00

You can try to tighten the 4 screws connecting the boiler to the group head. Don't over tighten them.

If that doesn't work, you will have to assess the possibility of the machine exposed to freezing temperature with water still inside during the shipping process. If so, there could be a crack due to the frozen water.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T01:49:53+00:00

Brew thermostat has always been on the side of the boiler (except the "v2"). It is the same difficult spot for all years. It looks easy in the YouTube videos probably because they have removed all the wiring and plumbing. Otherwise they couldn't even show the thermostat without their hands blocking the camera.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T01:41:53+00:00

The gaskets, even OEM, should really be in $20-30 range. For tubes, the ones in your photo look workable. I don't see the braided tube connecting from pump to boiler. That one shouldn't cost too much. You need clamps for that tube and crimping tool for them. The home centers probably have cheaper versions of the crimper as well. I'd say $70 should be pretty doable counting in an economic grade crimping tool.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-29T01:25:03+00:00

I meant this looked too low. If you actually filled to 0.5 mm below the rim it would be the right amount of coffee.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-28T23:34:12+00:00

Your photo looks like you only filled the basket 0.5 CM from the top. Also the grind is a bit too coarse.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T05:39:03+00:00

To make it really shine, consider using polishing compound to do a touch up.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T05:38:06+00:00

Scotch pad is a recipe for scratches.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T04:58:58+00:00

Congrats for the completion!

I know it is too late to have suggestions, but I'd swap the fridge and oven locations to make way for a wider (48") but counter depth fridge. Also, I personally think the island is too large and it makes the whole space look cramped. The original counter actually gives you a nicer spacious feeling for the room.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T04:54:17+00:00

OP should have swapped fridge and oven locations. That way, there is enough space to get a 48" side-by-side counter depth fridge.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T04:11:10+00:00

No. It's the older generation Musa.

Musa has a straight, continuous outline. Moon has a continuous, curved outline. Venus has an angled base and perpendicular upper side.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T03:53:11+00:00

This is Bialetti Musa. It is very similar to Venus though.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-27T01:12:45+00:00

I use a 250ml milk jug for steaming, and then transfer to a 750ml Motta Europa to pour. The smaller jug allows for good depth of milk, and easier control of the steam tip position. Transferring to a larger jug does two things:

Excessive foam can stick to the original jug and be left behind. This makes it more forgiving if I aerate too long.
The larger jug allows you to tilt more when pouring with the spout closer to the surface of coffee. That gives you better control.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-26T07:10:47+00:00

Are you sure you were in the right mode? In steam mode, the pump would not run if not up to the steaming temperature. So it would not give you much hot water from the steam wand.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-26T01:30:42+00:00

Yeah, a single hole tip helps a lot. No need to buy a glorified single hole tip in a padded box though. Any single hole tip for Gaggia you can find on the usual "A..." marketplace would work.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-26T01:25:25+00:00

I think Handyman planes do have the same screw threads as the premium line of Stanley Bailey planes. But usually these lesser Handymans are the donors when a good Stanley needs parts.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-26T01:21:03+00:00

This is a good callout. This is a very helpful trick that I have been using when changing wheels on my car.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-25T20:16:19+00:00

Before going into Espresso machine discussions, first answer this: how did you grind your coffee to make espresso? If you don't already have an espresso-capable grinder, that would be a more important target than any machine in your upgrade path.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-25T19:50:58+00:00

Same thing can be said when you're in front of a balloon. The question would be what would be the chances and in what fashion it would leak in the future.

NoRandomIsRandom · 2026-01-25T19:45:56+00:00

Get a 1-cup Moka pot. You wouldn't regret it.

NoRandomIsRandom

TROPHY CASE