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how do I loosen a stuck shaft to replace washers? - 2006/08/14 11:03Hi,
I've been using my atomic for years and I recently tried to refurbish it. I've got some replacement washers for the shaft (which leads to the steam spout), but the shaft itself seems stuck in place. I can remove the pressure nob and the metal washers, but can't seem to get the shaft to move beyond a few twists. I've tried WD-40 to unstick it but to no avail. Brute force doesn't seem to work either - though I'm loath to push it too far. So at present I have an atomic with disintegrating washers, and a shaft that is part way out but jammed solid - basically unusable - a potential tragedy. Any ideas please?
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colin
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Re:how do I loosen a stuck shaft to replace washer - 2006/08/14 11:50every little bit of the info that you need is right here on the webpage --
USE the search window upper left to search for the articles. It is all here.
actually - MENU Items at LEFT: Atomica -- click on all of them.. read and learn.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Morgan
Visitor
Re:how do I loosen a stuck shaft to replace washer - 2006/08/14 17:13Thanks for the tips. I did of course read all the atomica posts in the left hand margin before adding my question. Fredrick's fantastic article deals with changing the washers, but simply describes the process of replacing the washers with little trouble. I'm having big trouble trying to do this, the shaft is jammed tight. So any futher advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. Many thanks.
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dave
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Atomic washers - PAGING FREDERICK - 2006/08/14 20:19Perhaps Frederick can provide some additional insight when he is next by.Dave is an Ottawa resident and Coffee Expert
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Frederick
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Re:Atomic washers - PAGING FREDERICK - 2006/08/15 10:19The Gentleman contacted me. Hopefully he is full of glee by now.
I think that I will print the method here. Although I told it many times, one on one, in the guestpages, it needs a place where this information will be easily accessed.
Frittibaldi Mac Feathers.
In fact I'll just copy what I wrote to Mr. Morgan now.
First you must understand this: the female thread inside the frothing assembly is LONGER than the male. So....unscrew knurled bit,unscrew red frothing knob, unscrew knurled bit some more, then knurled knob. After two or three times, the chromed knurled knob is loose. CONTINUE unscrewing red frothing knob...a long time. After a while it disengages but it still seems solid. Now is the time to give it a straight pull. You will then have it in your hand with the 3 seals and two metal discs. It should be like the picture in the archives. Of course, perhaps your seals are shot so they could look mangled. It is NOT necessary to remove the red ball from the shaft to unscrew the assembly, in fact you need it.
Now, the frothing assembly that screws into the body is the Atomic's Achille's heel. That and the casting in aluminum for the big bad black knob. Sassoon's model (made in Italy) had it in white bronze! (German silver, dairy bronze, same thing) Anyway, that particular part has a groove all around it so that the steam can go in the wand, it also has two holes perpendicular to it's axis, it is threaded......If you moved it a little bit and the swan neck moved...and you cannot unscrew it more........well.........you probably twisted it. If you screw it back up tight...a) it may work, or b) it will break.
After umptieth heating cycles, the molecules of this brass (of all things) fitting calls it quits. So it is best not to tinker with it....never. I did mine in stainless for my very first ATOMIC....also an insert in stainless for a new knob. Bon trading does have this replacement part, also the two seals. The very flat black one goes on the body, you slip the swan neck tube on it, then the green one, finally you screw the frothing fitting into the neck. Then you insert the pointed rod complete with the new seals......It is a good idea to touch up the tip as a fresh point for good closure when the Atomic is brewing. If you tried to remove the old frother using a spanner on the two flats, and broke it, part of it will stay inside the neck, fragile remember? Get the new part, go to a machinist with the Atomic and the part for comparaison and he will tap the remains out. Takes 35 seconds.
You will then be as good as new. The swan neck should point straight down. Don't look at the pictures that this despicable deceasedestate shows on ebay as he sells the Indian copies......
I won't wish you luck unless you buy lotto tickets. There is no luck involved here. Just patience.Frederick Nakos is the Global authority on the Atomic Espresso Coffee maker.
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DonzasH
User Junior Barista
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Re:Atomic washers - PAGING FREDERICK - 2006/12/12 14:06Ok, I tried all that you have mentioned above but the rod for controlling the frother is totally jammed. I can’t even put it back to its original position, as in rotate it clockwise. The knurled knob is loose and the rod with the red knob is stuck.
Somehow I managed to remove the assembly that screws into the neck removing the frother tube itself. I will try WD-40 to see if I can get any further movement. Is removing the assembly a big problem?
I believe I followed your instructions on removing the knurled part than the unscrewing the rod anti-clockwise and ooops, stuck. Stuck meaning I used brute force and yet it still doesn’t shift one bit. I believe I might have even twisted the rod a bit.
I’d be grateful if you could help me on this. Thank you very much.
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