Da da da da daht daht Mmyyyyyyy CRE-MINA! - Page 2

[PKR]

I had three cut by Reg Barber at 49.4 for my Pavonis and Creminas

I have a 1984 Cremina 67 with original baskets (single and double). Do you think the 49.4 mm tamper is the right size? I understand that baskets vary, but since mine is original, I thought you might have a idea.

I could send Reg Barber a basket, but I hate to be without it, and also risk it getting lost or held up in customs.
Could I send just the single and have them make one tamper to fit both?

Peter

[IMAWriter]

My 49.4 was too tight for both my cremina and Elektra doubles.

[PKR]

My 49.4 was too tight for both my cremina and Elektra doubles.

49.2 ??
Also, any comments about aluminum vs. stainless, etc.? (I know aluminum cookware has a bad rap.)

[espressme]

Hi,FWW, YMMV
So, as always, the baskets can really be all over the board as to size.
Only tamp to the 5mm deep point in the basket. Just enough to clear the dispersion screen.

I am soon ( this week) to cut down a base for a new Cremina basket. I shall give the size when I have checked it out against the basket that is being sent that is too small for a 49.4 tamper.

In my stock double Cremina '83 baskets and the Elektra doubles, both my tampers drop straight to the bottom. They are 49.5 and 49.4 diameter. That is also the size I have made for some other older machines.They will stick in a LaPavoni double basket if pushed past the 5mm depth.

Cheers
Richard

[IMAWriter]

Hi,FWW, YMMV

I am soon ( this week) to cut down a base for a new Cremina basket. I shall give the size when I have checked it out against the basket that is being sent that is too small for a 49.4 tamper.


Cheers
Richard

Yes, DO tell us your results.

[espressme]

Hi Folks,
I received the tamper base and measured it. As always, Reg Barber© did a very nice job, 49.40mm and round. The heavier weight and thicker base (~14mm) of the R-B makes it harder to feel level and depth in a small basket. I have cut it down and polished it to 49.3 and it will now allow about 5° of angle and drop to the small radius at the bottom of the Cremina basket.

At first I had trouble with my thick based 49.5mm diameter "LMWDP # 90" tamper. I had learned with one of the original plastic thin base tampers which was easily leveled at the proper depth by feel. There was no base showing above the basket when tamped properly. That is why a thick based 58mm tamper works so well with a 10mm tamp depth.

So, Tamper diameter is up to you. The closer to 49.5 you get the more level you must be.
Cheers
Richard /espressme

[IMAWriter]

OK. Time to fess up. I'M the owner of the tamper base Richard discussed above. I Love Reg's work. No problem there. Obviously, with my less than perfect vision, and 5 years with a 58mm basket, my "chops" are a bit unrefined for a 49mm basket. Obviously (again) straight down means straight down!
Richard also mentioned to me that anyone semi-competent would've had no problem with the base AS IS. He's just trying to publicly spare my feelings.
I'm purchasing a "Newd" PF from Richard as well. Thanks to Greg "mogogear" Moore for kindly sending me Richard's link. Richard is beyond kindly. We are lucky to have so many dedicated craftsman in our coffee world.

[mogogear]

most baskets do slope ever so slightly inward as you progress down in the basket height. Dose up a bit and the binding problem should evaporate...

All the fun of getting to know the equipment.. the baskets , .. your arm strength...your counter height..your basket type... the freshness of the beans... the humidity.....you are a member for life---

The lessons reverse soon and you will teach us... so take notes

[IMAWriter]

Greg...Not so long ago, I was the espresso king of my neighborhood, HX style. While that skill hopefully hasn't eroded too much, it's in some masochistic sort of way kinda cool to be a noob again, gently cradled in the bosom...errrrrr... ARMS of the lever cognoscenti, as it were. (shouldn't it be "as it was", or IS?)
It's been a blast looking all the different and wonderful levers out there. The little Caravel is a gas, the Riviera as beautiful in it's own way as is the Elektra, and of course, the title of this thread. And the over-riding truth, as in all espressi machines pump or lever, they are only as good as we who stand in front of them.
The journey never ends.

[zin1953]

OK, so it's not a lever machine, but . . .

My Olympia Cafferex is also 49mm, and I've had excellent results with this tamper. It only comes with a flat base, and initially I was a bit disappointed in that I'm used to convexm but with the small diameter, the flat surface seems to be just the ticket . . .

Cheers,
Jason

[IMAWriter]

If y'all don't mind, I'll hijack my thread
I just received word from Home Espresso Repair that other than a clogged steam wand, my my my MY Cremina is in near perfect condition
Gaskets in fine shape, etc. Obviously, H.E.R must be considered not only prompt but SUPER honest.* They only charged out an hour for labor....fantastic! I can't recommend these folks enough.
They communicated with me immediately upon receipt of my emails. The "old biddy perfume" smell is gone. I now suspect that with the clogged wand, and a bad gasket, it was old milk that caused the smell. They also said the asbestos boiler insulation was intact! Lucky me
I also received mt "Newd PF" from Richard Penney. Its brass, and it is heavy, and it is GORGEOUS!
I just got back from a music festival and award show in Texas, so I'll post a picture of the PF ASAP


*Edit...in other words, not replacing working gaskets to pump up the cost. HONEST FOLKS