orfevre : http://search.ebay.fr/search/sear...=reneka&category0=
artisant work a gold , plater, metal precious for a table

Thanks channo Guess I should look for some Reneka/WMF spoons and accessories to go with this machine! Ed

espressme wrote:PS due to dictionary spelling using the combined "oe" not common in English, the translation of "etaient orfevres" is likely to be "existing works" ( as in factory or shop)

ils etaient orfevres means: they were goldsmiths [or silversmiths]

channo wrote:le groupe central est place sur une bascule, quant il est en bas et plein d'eau l'ampoule a mercure envoie le courant et la chauffe commence.

"The central group is placed on a bascule, when it is down and full of water the mercury bulb sends the current and the heating begins."

What I do not understand is how the 'scale' works. Bascule can mean balance or scale, but it can also refer to the English word bascule, a device that operates like a seesaw, sometimes with a counterweight, like a bascule bridge. Where is the bascule, and how is the center group placed on it? In the photos it looks like the central group is hung off an articulated support. Is that the bascule and might the mercury switch be there?

Perhaps channo can tell us:

Andrea: Ou est la bascule, et l'ampoule a mercure? Veuillez expliquer comment la bascule fonctionne.


PS: thanks for doing the translation Dan. My french is barely passable.

HB wrote:My pleasure Andrea, thanks for sharing. Below is my translation.

I'm not certain, but I believe orfevres would be accurately translated as "craftsmen" or "artisan" (etre orfevre en la matiere = to be an expert), especially those in the silver or goldsmith trade.

Thanks Dan, Langescheidt does for the French Language what Webster's Collegiate does for English! Very superficial!
And Many thanks to Adrea!
Back to the fun!
richard

hello
at you service
for a technical question to mural... i search for explain my old machine!
is little only 1/2 liter of coffee

when the group is full off water is in bottom and a mercury switch makes contact (i push to my finger)

the water passes on a coffee and the group goes in top and stops the mercury
in this point is a mecanique equilibrate

i thinks you understand

bye

thanks Andrea, it is wonderful to see your machine, and I think we understand how the bascule works now.

Got it home. It's a type 50 #4156 220v 3800watts. Quite good condition at first glance. The fill tanks have a ceramic tank inside that full holds about 1.5gal. One tank is in perfect condition the other has some glaze cracks on inside. There are heating elements under the tanks. The portafilter is in nice shape the basket mostly needs a good cleaning. The portafilter funnel is a separate piece so I suppose you could go naked too. No tamper, I measure the basket to need a 180mm tamper! Will get into the group and control box soon and will take some pics. I will set it up down in my laboratory and see if I cant bring it back to life! Ps got a couple weird lo oks into the back of my car at a NY turnpike rest area. Ed

the design ed is gothic.... strasbourg (the city in france of reneka) is in front germany.
now you are ready for drink coffee for 100 years
au revoir

Here is a pic showing the bascule/balance that turns on and shuts off the water heating percolator. Water weights the head down when filled and switches it on then when it lightens it switches off. The casts of the balance arms and back plate are truly beautiful workmanship. The vertical adjustable rod in back connects to the mercury switches above(will replace these switches with something safer). The hose in the middle of the top is the heated water/steam outlet that goes down to the portafilter. The hose to the left is the water inlet.

180mm basket!