I just purchased a Gaggia MDF for $2 at a garage sale. I want to disassemble
it, clean and rebuild it.
First, I'm assuming this is worth it if I can do it easily - any comments on
the quality of the Gaggia MDF?
Second, it looks like the bean hopper rotates to adjust the grind - is this
correct? The reason I ask is that the bean hopper is stuck and I do not want
to force it if this is wrong.
The motor does run, and every thing else looks like it works, the only thing
missing is the portafilter holder.
Thanks,
Marc

Just looking at photos online, it looks similar to the grinder used on the
Gaggia built Estro Profi espresso machines.
On these, the upper burr is mounted to a threaded brass assembly which has
the hopper screwed to it. That screws into a brass housing, and is rotated
to adjust. Theres a plastic detent ring and plastic hopper screwed to the
top brass ring.
Brass on brass can gall, it can take a bit of force to move if it has been
sitting for a while. The safest course is to remove the plastic pieces so
you can apply force to the brass.
I apply a bit of food grade silicon grease to the brass threads (available
from a dive shop).
On 7/2/06, Marc  wrote:
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-- 
"There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we
don't know." --  Ambrose Bierce

Michael,
Thanks, I hate to apply force to something if I don't know I'm forcing it in
the right direction.  Between some light oil and a little more elbow grease
I was able to completely disassemble it , clean it and put it back together.
The hardest part was figuring out that the bean hopper is just a press fit.
It's in excellant shape, the burrs are sharp and everything works fine. Ran
some minute rice thorugh it, adjusted the grind setting and am now enjoying
a cup of coffee (Kenyan Lot #54) made with the Gaggia. It feels like a step
up from my Solis Maestro Plus and for $2 how could I go wrong!
-Marc
On 7/2/06, Michael Wascher  wrote:
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