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Coffee Discussion boards => Hardware & Equipment => Topic started by: altoid on April 10, 2018, 12:39:23 PM

Title: Solis Maestro rebuild?
Post by: altoid on April 10, 2018, 12:39:23 PM
I love my Solis Maestro burr mill, but it has begun to howl, bog down and grind poorly. I have cleaned as best I can, including with compressed air, but the problems remain (although performance has improved somewhat.) Baratza once repaired the Maestro in-house, but they seem to have quit servicing only the Maestro. So my question: Is there anyone out there who can do a professional job of servicing the Solis Maestro burr burr grinder?  It's an oldie but goodie! Many thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Solis Maestro rebuild?
Post by: ptrmorton on April 10, 2018, 10:40:55 PM
Baratza is usually very service friendly.  Have you tried calling them (I know, so old school).
Title: Re: Solis Maestro rebuild?
Post by: peter on April 11, 2018, 08:45:16 AM
Do you actually know what's wrong with it?

I'd guess the drive gears are worn out.  The Encore has a different/new drive train, so if they're in fact not servicing the Maestro, it's probably that having parts made and stocking them for a smaller and smaller customer base is not smart business-wise.

Say it needs a new drivetrain, and with shipping to wherever, it costs you $70.  How much confidence can one have that in a year or two the motor won't need replacing too?  I like fixing things and keeping them forever just out of principle, but eventually, you'll have to put the Maestro to rest and look at (perhaps) an Encore.  That's why I asked if you knew what was wrong with it...
Title: Re: Solis Maestro rebuild?
Post by: altoid on April 11, 2018, 07:07:07 PM
Thanks, Peter. I got a great reply from Baratza that agreed with your diagnosis and your prescription. I'm going for a newer unit, darn it.   ;<)
Title: Re: Solis Maestro rebuild?
Post by: peter on April 11, 2018, 10:11:46 PM
Thanks, Peter. I got a great reply from Baratza that agreed with your diagnosis and your prescription. I'm going for a newer unit, darn it.   ;<)

Well, you can't say you didn't get your money worth out of the Maestro...
Title: Re: Solis Maestro rebuild?
Post by: YasBean on May 10, 2018, 10:45:07 PM
I repaired my Maestro two years ago by replacing the burrs.  Unfortunately, the new burrs that I received were ever so slightly different.  Even with the unbeatable service from Baraza, the bottom burr is now set in the housing, never to come out, again.  I cannot remove it to clean.  I ended up giving it to a friend, and am using my Vario for drip and my Compak E8 for espresso.  All good things must come to an end, eventually.  At least you can say you tried.