zack8078 Senior Member Joined: 10 Nov 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Durham, CT Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Nov 10, 2012, 2:44am Subject: Need advice, novice is rebuilding LSM 85-16m
Hello,
I’ve recently come into 2 La San Marco 85-16ms, one is a two group and the other is a three group - I paid $100 for the pair. The three group mostly works, with some minor leaks, except that one of the groups doesn’t work at all. The two group machine is a parts machine, as far as I know, but it may have potential. Anyways I've searched through lots of posts, and I haven't been able to find the answer to my predicament.
The first thing that I did was to get the machine wired and plumbed so I could evaluate it. And like I said, it all works except one group. Since the machine mostly works, I’ve started disassembling it. But, I’m stuck on a descaling strategy. I’m trying different methods on scrap parts from the extra machine. I’ve tried an ultrasound with soap – not much progress at all. I’ve tried a diluted CLR solution, which just seemed to galvanize some copper onto the (chrome/nickel?) parts. I’m considering trying separate HCL baths for the copper and non-copper bits. I’m kind of lost here and hoping someone might point me in the right direction to a sensible descaling strategy. I should point out, it is FILLED with scale. It must have been on well water or something....
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,680 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon Nov 12, 2012, 9:22am Subject: Re: Need advice, novice is rebuilding LSM 85-16m
Nice pickup. Citric Acid is the pretty much norm for non industrial descaling. Industry has their own heavy duty baths and one can not dispute the effectiveness of them but for the average home owner or handyman (which is what we fall into) those chemicals are a little beyond us. Citric Acid works well and is safe. Make a solution and soak your parts in it, rinse and reassemble.
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Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012, 2:00pm Subject: Re: Need advice, novice is rebuilding LSM 85-16m
I had the same issues when I bought my old VFA. I found that 50/50 CLR & Water or the same with vinegar worked wonders. I dunked all of the copper and groupheads separately and left them to soak overnight. I then used a nylon brush to remove what was left in the groups and reassembled. My groups were chrome plated brass and nothing happened to them. As for the boiler if you need to clean it out I'd recommend getting it professionally acid dipped.
Citric Acid I found only works to get rid of coffee grum. I would bet that the reason the one group doesn’t work is due to calcium buildup. Cafiza won't budge it.
When you reassemble if you want to really make it shine take some emery cloth to the outside of the pipes and a brass rotary brush after to the copper pipe.
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