Used Espresso Machines - Are some better older?

[Pyment]

was a time when many here were buying rebuilt grinders off the bay. Maybe that guy is still around.

What about these fellas?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Italian-Lelit-PL043-Conical-Burr-Coffee-Grinder-/290431835208?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item439f161c48

[Hikeon3]

I opened up a can of worms.

From my perspective, I know Tex is right. I SHOULD wait until I have 500 dollars to blow on the combo, and spend 80% of that on a high quality used commercial espresso grinder. It's the waiting part that sucks. I work for *$ and can't stand the espresso there, and if I want a decent shot I have to budget the time to drive 30-40 minutes down to Caffe Calabria in North Park before 2pm. But every time I go I am reminded of what coffee should taste like with the proper materials and technique. Then I get all search-crazy so I can begin my own trip down the rabbit hole.

[CAGurl]

Here's one exit from the rabbit hole:

http://sovranastore.com/esgrin.html

This is a FINE FINE grinder.

Susan

[mp]

Here's one exit from the rabbit hole:

http://sovranastore.com/esgrin.html

This is a FINE FINE grinder.

Susan

And at a great price too for a new commercial grinder.

 

(You speak as if you have one Susan.)

[Pyment]

or this one:

http://fwd4.me/Naf

[Hikeon3]

or this one:

http://fwd4.me/Naf

http://bit.ly/aXZWOq
spanker w/ free shipping. Can't seem to find any consumer reviews.

[Tex]

was a time when many here were buying rebuilt grinders off the bay. Maybe that guy is still around.

What about these fellas?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Italian-Lelit-PL043-Conical-Burr-Coffee-Grinder-/290431835208?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item439f161c48

Yeah, the days when Starbuck's was practically throwing their grinders & espresso machines in the dumpster are long past! Too bad, I got some good deals through Tagex a few years ago.

As for the conical burr grinders, I haven't tried any in that class yet. One thing I'd check is the burr carriers, and ANY with plastic carriers would get a pass from me.

[Pyment]

I think the Nemox is actually made by Iberital

http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/grinders/iberital_grinder

[ButtWhiskers]

I no longer recommend any flat burr grinder with <60mm burr sets.

So you don't feel a Mazzer Mini (58mm flat burrs) is adequate for espresso?   

[Tex]

I no longer recommend any flat burr grinder with <60mm burr sets.

So you don't feel a Mazzer Mini (58mm flat burrs) is adequate for espresso?   

OK, you got me there - change that to <58mm. 

But I do think the Mini is way over priced for what you get. The Cunill Tranquilo has near-identical specs for ~$400 less!

[CAGurl]

(You speak as if you have one Susan.)

It was my first espresso grinder. 
I would still have it if I hadn't stumbled on a used Rancilio MD-50.
Two of my friends in Hawaii still have CT's.

Susan

[ButtWhiskers]

But I do think the Mini is way over priced for what you get. The Cunill Tranquilo has near-identical specs for ~$400 less!

Gotta agree with you - at least at MSRP.  I've never paid more than $160 for a grinder, myself, but that requires a lot of patience to wait for the great deals to come along. 

How much are the CT burrs, and are they easy to find?  One of the main benefits of going with Mazzer (or a relabel) is the ready availability of inexpensive replacement burrs (and other parts for that matter).

[Hikeon3]

FTR, this is all extremely interesting to me. I feel like I'm being educated for when I do decide to invest.

[mp]

FTR, this is all extremely interesting to me. I feel like I'm being educated for when I do decide to invest.

Yeah ... that is one great thing about the GCBC ... if you are willing to learn and ask the question(s) ... many members will come to your aid and you just have to sit back and take it all in.

 

[CAGurl]

But I do think the Mini is way over priced for what you get. The Cunill Tranquilo has near-identical specs for ~$400 less!

Gotta agree with you - at least at MSRP.  I've never paid more than $160 for a grinder, myself, but that requires a lot of patience to wait for the great deals to come along. 

How much are the CT burrs, and are they easy to find?  One of the main benefits of going with Mazzer (or a relabel) is the ready availability of inexpensive replacement burrs (and other parts for that matter).

Check here
http://www.cafeparts.com/dynamicIndex.asp

Susan