There is approximately zero information about VFA machines on the internet, HB or otherwise. Does anyone have any experience with them? There is an installation video on YouTube and a company overview video which are very encouraging but that's really all I can find. They seem well organized and made, they even show x-ray inspection of boiler welds. Some spotty references to low quality spanish parts have been made here but nothing I can make a conclusion about. I have an opportunity to buy a 2002 Torino Modal A with very light usage for $700. If everything is functional or serviceable is that a reasonable price?

I had a VFA for a short while and I was impressed with the build quality.

VFA has an excellent reputation in Europe, but zero representation in the US. So the price is good; but you'll need to make sure you can get parts. VFA makes its own brew groups, and you'll need a source for that.

If you contact them, using Spanish or calling them Spanish may not be a good idea; their web site has Catalan and Castillian language versions, but no reference to Spanish or Spain; so it looks like they may be diehard Barcelonians.

Jim,

Spanish is Castilian

Cheers

Arpi wrote:Spanish is Castilian

Today's Spanish descends from the Castilian dialect, just as today's Italian descends from from the Tuscan dialect. But not even Sicilians call Italian "Tuscan," but Catalonians still call Espagnol "Castilian."

I found www.cafeparts.com and they list most parts I think I might need. Anyone have any experience with them?

another_jim wrote: but Catalonians still call Espagnol "Castilian."

Not all. It is just a different point of view for some people depending on their take. It happens mainly because of internal political competition. In Catalunia, everybody prefers to speak Spanish and not everybody speaks Catalan. There are little language wars going on.