Advice on Gaggia Factory lever machine- ALSO is this a good price?

[ccfore]

This is my first foray into lever machines. I have a Silvia and have always looked at levers with envy. I have an opportunity to purchase this machine for $225.00. First of all, is this a decent machine and price? I have not looked at it in person but I think it is the 8 cup model not the 16 cup one. It is used but is being sold by someone leaving the country. Any advice will help me make the right decision, as I'm not as familiar with these machines as many of you. Thanks.

[espressme]

Hi,
Do a little Google® searching of the net using Gaggia Factory as a term! Then decide if that's what you want. It is ( I believe ) a rebadged Europiccola. Don't know the year so I can't say if it has the bigger basket post 2K.
At that price even a LaPav is reasonable. If you don't want it, PM me and I may.
Good luck and good brew!
richard

[ccfore]

Thanks for the info. I just talked to the owner and he states its about 3 years old. I guess that would make it a newer model in terms of basket size? Could you explain that a little to me. What size portafilter does it have? He also says it comes with all the original equipment like handles, basket, etc. I'm not sure what all this entails, maybe someone would also know that. Thanks again.

[ladalet]

The Gaggia Factory is a great little machine. $225 is a very good price for one in very good condition. I have a newer Factory 1999+, and an older Europiccola 1998-, and an Olympia Cremina. The Factory is a re-badged Europiccola Romantica. The portafilter size 1998 and older is 49mm and 1999 and newer 51mm. So the newer ones hold a little more coffee and require a larger tamper. The 2 button switch usually signals an older machine (1998 and older) not newer. Although, I am not exactly sure when this change took place. The 1999 and newer millennium models (not all 1999 and newer models are millennium models) have a plastic piston with a plastic sleeve in the group that is supposed to reduce friction. This arrangement posed a couple of problems. Sometimes the sleeve slips and blocks the boiler opening restricting or not allowing water to enter the group. Also, the plastic parts tend to wear out faster. A brass replacement piston is offered if you have a millennium model and are having these issues.

I believe that what he means by original equipment handle is the portafilter. It is the device that holds the basket and the basket holds the coffee. Once you have placed the coffee in the portafilter basket and tamped it you place the portafilter into the espresso machine to pull your shot. It addition to the portafilter it should come with two baskets: a single basket for a single shot, a double basket for a double shot, and a plastic tamper to compress (tamp) the shots. It may also come with a funnel. I am not sure beyond this.

You can view some great videos on this whole process as demonstrated on the Factory's replacement the Achille--below. Keep in mind that the Achille has a heat exchanger that requires a cooling pre-flush that your factory does not. You will just fill two shot glasses with water to pre-heat the group and the glasses.

http://www.home-barista.com/gaggi...-guide-videos.html

[Javier]

Ladalet wrote:

The Gaggia Factory is a great little machine. $225 is a very good price for one in very good condition. I have a newer Factory 1999+, and an older Europiccola 1998-, and an Olympia Cremina. The Factory is a re-badged Europiccola Romantica. The portafilter size 1998 and older is 49mm and 1999 and newer 51mm. So the newer ones hold a little more coffee and require a larger tamper. The 2 button switch usually signals an older machine (1998 and older) not newer.

I second Ladalet's comments/suggestions. I also have a Gaggia Factory (16 cups model), and really like it. That price (i.e., $225) is really tempting. If you search H-B lever forum for "Gaggia Factory" you will find lots of tips (including videos) on how to use the machine.

Javier

[fac10]

I just paid $200 for that model a few weeks ago. Mine was more than lightly used but had been "reconditioned" by a Gaggia service center so all the gaskets were new and the boiler had been descaled. Mine was missing the cute "tin woodsman hat" boiler cover (just decorative -- no functional value), which seems to be impossible to find anywhere as a replacement. I also had to buy a double basket ($12) and replace the cracked plastic drip tray ($6) so on balance I think yours is a much better deal assuming it's in good working condition. Mine also has some rust spots under the drip tray, which you should check for -- I don't think it's a big problem but if you find some you could use it as a tactic to get a few more $$ off the price.

It is in fact a one-button model, not a two-button. Below the red switch is a green indicator that lights up when the boiler heater is on. It will take a 51mm tamper, which can be hard to find. Reg Barber and some others will do them custom, but I was impatient and wanted immediate gratification, so I went with a Lava Tamp from espressoparts.com, since they had them in stock.

I wish I could assure you from experience that it makes great espresso, but I'm still at the very early stages of my learning curve. I had grinder problems (worn out burrs in my Maestro Plus) until yesterday, so I've been working at a disadvantage. This morning with the new burrs, I choked the machine for the first time, which was actually a breakthrough for me since now I know I can grind fine enough -- I just need to back off a bit on grind and/or tamp to get some flow. From everything I've read, these machines can pull great shots once you nail the technique.

[mogogear]

You had better go grab that machine- it is a good deal and if you don't like it, you will always be able t o get your money back out of it.... it is not that hard to find where it is for sale.... I considered it myself- but don't need another project- I have enough.. for now.......I think.......

[ccfore]

Ha, thanks for all the good reasons to buy, but I already have the disease (buy,buy buy), although this is my first lever machine. In celebration of my newest purchase, I would like to be considered for the next number in line, with story to follow in the near future. In fact, I did pick it up today, and have already run a few practice shots through her. I need a little time with her, I can see that already. The machine was in amazing shape, with single and double baskets, plastic tamper, portafilter, a few spare gaskets, original box and instructions. The original owner said it was approx. 3 years old. I cleaned it up with a good polish and it looks shiny and brand new! I'll post a couple pictures shortly. I did have a question about this Gaggia Factory 105. The box shows the 106 on one side and the 105 on the opposite side. I can assume that they use the same box for both machines. As far as I can tell by the pictures, the only difference is the gauge that sits on top of the site glass in the 106 model. It looks like this gauge would fit on top of mine, the 105, if you unscrew the top off of it. Has anybody tried this? Is the gauge helpful, and if so, in what way? I don't even know if this can be purchased anywhere, although it looks alittle more hi-tech with the gauge sitting up on top. Thanks for any info in this regard.

[jesawdy]

I did have a question about this Gaggia Factory 105. The box shows the 106 on one side and the 105 on the opposite side. I can assume that they use the same box for both machines. As far as I can tell by the pictures, the only difference is the gauge that sits on top of the site glass in the 106 model. It looks like this gauge would fit on top of mine, the 105, if you unscrew the top off of it. Has anybody tried this? Is the gauge helpful, and if so, in what way? I don't even know if this can be purchased anywhere, although it looks alittle more hi-tech with the gauge sitting up on top. Thanks for any info in this regard.

The Gaggia Factory 106 (16 cup model) differs in the addition of a pressure gauge, larger boiler capacity and a different lighted switch. The gauge is only somewhat helpful IMO.

The thread Fitting gauge on Europiccola should yield some help... a search on the Lever forum for gauge, Pavoni or Europiccola, should give you a few more results

[mogogear]

Congratulations----- It is a good machine to learn on and to enjoy on. You will do both. Kepp your expectations low and just flow with it. There will be a lot of fluctuations with your shots. That will happen while you learn. It is a little like golf unfortunatley.. Muscle memory to reproduce the "sweet shot" but it is nice and rewarding!

Welocme aboard!