jb80 Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Wimbledon Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Jan 11, 2011, 3:42pm Subject: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
Hi Coffee forum users and lovers!
Like many people, I’ve purchased the Rancilio steam arm/wand (http://www.espressoparts.com/R_1054) for my Gaggia Classic (RI8161) to make that perfect latte.
However after disassembling the Gaggia, I’m stuck with an exchange Rancilio part that seems to have a rather different fitting. Reading other forum posts, I note the following instructions; 1/ exchange the Gaggia nut (male thread) with the Rancilio (female thread) and; 2/ file down the Rancilio fitting to allow free movement once installed
My question relates to the detail behind these steps, in particular with step #1. I assume some mechanical cutting is required to remove the Rancilio nut? Without destroying the Gaggia fitting first, will this nut fit over the Rancilio steam arm? I have attached a photo to compare the two fittings.
I know many people have done this before, so your help would be most appreciated.
mattface Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Montpelier Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 12, 2011, 4:57am Subject: Re: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
I haven't done it, and I can't see the other end of the wands in your photo, but I'm thinking the steam tip needs to be removed from the other end in order to allow you to slip the nut off. I know the Rancilio tip will thread off. Looks like the gaggia classic has a panarello. I assume that if you remove that the nut will slip off over that end.
As for the filing of the fitting I'm not sure, but I expect it will become clear when you slip the gaggia nut onto the rancilio wand
jkoll42 Senior Member Joined: 2 Jan 2010 Posts: 465 Location: Pennsylvania Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: VBM DD V3, Gaggia Baby Class Grinder: Cimbali Max Hybrid, Bunn... Drip: Technivorm, Chemex Roaster: Honey Badger 1K, HG/BM
Posted Wed Jan 12, 2011, 9:08am Subject: Re: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
To get the silvia nut off, take off the steam tip and just slide off the nut. You will also need to remove the no burn rubber thing - soapy water will allow it to be pulled off and then off comes the nut.
jb80 Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Wimbledon Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 12, 2011, 12:23pm Subject: Re: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
Thanks forum users, I am now a few step closer to completing the mod!
This is where I am thus far: 1/ Removed the milk “tip” from the Rancilio steam arm by unscrewing it 2/ Removed the “no burn” rubber boot from the Rancilio steam arm using some soapy water and slipping it down 3/ Now the female nut from the Rancilio steam arm slips straight off! 4/ Removed top cover of the Gaggia by removing top two philips screws 5/ Removed earth strap from underside of cover 6/ Used spanner to hold internal copper nut of the Gaggia steam arm (otherwise it may break off!) 7/ Loosen the Gaggia steam arm nut on the outside with a second spanner (wrapped in cloth to avoid damaging the chrome plating) 8/ Gaggia steam arm removed! 9/ Removed the plastic “easy” latte tip by unscrewing assembly 10/ Tried to slip Gaggia male nut down steam arm, but gets stuck on the bend! $%&! … Help!
Perhaps I’m being over careful, but how do I remove the Gaggia male nut to slip onto the Rancilio steam arm? Is this just brute force, or is there a better way?
jb80 Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Wimbledon Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Jan 15, 2011, 10:33am Subject: Re: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
*** Modification completed!!!! ****
After bending out the turns on the original Gaggia Steam wand I was able to exchange the "nuts" and simply fit in reverse order. Here is the full procedure:
1/ Remove the milk “tip” from the Rancilio steam arm by unscrewing it 2/ Remove the “no burn” rubber boot from the Rancilio steam arm using some soapy water and slipping it down 3/ Now the female nut from the Rancilio steam arm slips straight off! 4/ Remove top cover of the Gaggia by removing top two philips screws 5/ Remove earth strap from underside of cover with some small pliers 6/ Used spanner to hold internal copper nut of the Gaggia steam arm (otherwise it may break off!) 7/ Loosen the Gaggia steam arm nut on the outside with a second spanner (wrapped in cloth to avoid damaging the chrome plating) 8/ Gaggia steam arm removed! 9/ Removed the plastic “easy” latte tip by unscrewing assembly 10/ Using a bench vice or some sturdy multi grip pliers, bend the turns straight(er) to allow the Gaggia nut to slide off 11/ Fit the Gaggia nut onto the Rancilio steam and place a small amount of machine oil on the fitting 12/ Insert Rancilio steam arm into fit and tighten with fingers and finish with spanner. Remember to hold internal copper nut! 13/ Replace each strap and top cover 14/ Modification complete!!! Test for pressure and water leaks!!!
Dannii Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Location: London UK Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Jan 22, 2012, 4:15pm Subject: Re: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
Hi,
I got a Gaggia Classic as a Christmas present from my husband this Christmas. Ever since I've used it every day and I'm very happy with it. However the original Gaggia steam wand has been a bit so and so... I experienced that I either get no foam (when the plastic bit is taken off) or lots of foam (when the plastic bit in on) but nothing in between. So like many of you, I decided to mod my Gaggia with Rancilio steam wand. By surprise my friend kindly installed the Rancilio steam wand to my Gaggia Classic this weekend while I was away. I was super excited to start learning to make the perfect microfoam with it. However now that I've used it a couple of times I'm experiencing some annoying problems.
First, while steaming there is a really loud screeching sound, so loud that I cannot hear what a person next to me is saying. I've tried to put the wand lower and higher in the milk but no change in the sound. There is no loud sound when the wand if off the jug. Second, after the painful noise, there is no foam in the milk (I do get a nice whirlpool in the milk). I've looked so many youtube videos how to do it and tried several times, but no hope and to be honest I don't even want to try anymore because of the sound. I am considering putting the Gaggia wand back on... I am puzzled what's wrong with the Rancilio steam wand?
Posted Sun Jan 22, 2012, 4:25pm Subject: Re: Rancilio steam wand mod to Gaggia Classic
Dannii Said:
First, while steaming there is a really loud screeching sound, so loud that I cannot hear what a person next to me is saying. I've tried to put the wand lower and higher in the milk but no change in the sound. There is no loud sound when the wand if off the jug.
Yeah, screeching is a fact of steaming milk. It quiets down when it comes up to temperature.
Dannii Said:
Second, after the painful noise, there is no foam in the milk (I do get a nice whirlpool in the milk). I've looked so many youtube videos how to do it and tried several times, but no hope and to be honest I don't even want to try anymore because of the sound. I am considering putting the Gaggia wand back on... I am puzzled what's wrong with the Rancilio steam wand?
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