Solis Maestro rebuild?

[altoid]

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!

[ptrmorton]

Baratza is usually very service friendly.  Have you tried calling them (I know, so old school).

[peter]

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...

[altoid]

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.   ;<)

[peter]

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...

[YasBean]

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.