Da da da da daht daht Mmyyyyyyy CRE-MINA!

[IMAWriter]

She came, I saw, she conquered. Ok, she's a little square....but so am I.
She almost looks unused. The baskets showed NO signs of being used, as did the PF.
So, as advised when first receiving this thing, I tried to remove the big nut holding the top on...needed a 1 1/4 inch driver...it wouldn't budge......stupid question, but I'll ask....to remove, is it clockwise or counter?
I tried some food grade lube...no help. BTW, the washer/seal on the inside cap felt pliable to my touch....I didn't try to remove it.
Can I run Dezcal/water mixture to descale?....there appeared to be a little blue deposit at the very opening of the boiler. I thinking I should run water first, to check for leaks?
A download from a poster here mentions that after filling the water with descaling solution (citric acid, etc),I need to turn it on and leave it on an hour or 2. Then pump the lever, open the steam valve, etc....dump remaining solution, and run a couple of boiler full with fresh water. Does this sound like the plan?
Wow, the lever action is a dream, barely any side to side wiggle that I could detect. It does feel like on the upward push, a little lube wouldn't hurt...a bout 15lbs of force was needed.
Ok....throwing caution aside, but having a towel tucked underneath, I 3/4 filled with Brita water. brewing for real, it will be 3/4 Brita, 1/4 filtered tap. Anyway, I turned her on...about 8-9 minutes the ready light went out, I flushed a little steam, another minute or so...flushed some water....very hot! Much hotter than from my Europiccola. I will try measuring the temp using the probe on the boiler method. I guessing I'm a bit hot...
No leaks...not even a drip. Must be living right.
My first shot was a choker. Obviously, this baby needs a less fine grind than did my Europiccola...even the the roast (Monkey Blend, with a little added Harar) is 4 days older.
Next shot a bit better, ...pulled 3 minutes later...way hot...a bit bitter, but a 1.5oz 30second pull...
I need to get a 45.5mm base for my Reg....I measure at the middle of the basket....an OEM Cremina, I assume...
I'd appreciate any helpful hints...
TIA

[ccfore]

It looks like you got a GREAT DEAL on your little boxema, congrats! The looks will really grow on you as you develop a little more time with it. If you have not seen this video from Mark at CG, it will show you in reverse order on putting it all together.



Heres part II for a little more info on pulling a shot :



As far as your tamper base, 45.5 sounds a little too small as the normal size is generally recognized to be around 49mm give or take .2mm. Enjoy your beautiful machine and we want lots of pictures please!

[orphanespresso]

Rob! GREAT! You must be living right - good machine, arrived in good shape & already providing fun, frolic, and espresso! Glad we talked you out of replacing ALL the parts the minute it came in the door!

All correct - descaling, etc.... The blue deposit is the brass oxidation, and it will come off fine with citric acid solution. Not to worry - it's normal.

You can lube without taking out the piston - lay the machine on it's back, pop off the dispersion screen, move the lever up & you'll be able to wipe out the cylidner with a cloth, then lube the cylinder wall very lightly with DOW 111 (a little goes a very long way), put the screen back on, rub a little lube on the rod, and when you move the lever that will lube the rod seal. You'll also be able to check the cleanliness of the dispresion screen at the same time - if it's dirty (and it doesn't sound like it will be) you can put it in a cup or glass with some cleaner.

[IMAWriter]

My bad...I meant 49.5...I'm famous for egregious typos. And the occasional lapse of memory...as you well know.

[TUS172]

My bad...I meant 49.5...I'm famous for egregious typos. And the occasional lapse of memory...as you well know.

Rob,
49.5mm may be a mm too large... I had three cut by Reg Barber at 49.4 for my Pavonis and Creminas. The fit is so close in my A Leva baskets I would not dare to go another mm. The measurement at the top of the basket may be 49.5 but there is a taper to the basket and the tamper at 49.4 will hang up half way down. JMHO...
Bob C

[farmroast]

Rob Great to hear that she arrived safe and sounds like she's in nice condition, for a very nice price! I'm generally hesitant to matchmake but had hope for this one.
Best of luck and give Anita my best too.
farm

[caeffe]

Robert-

Congrats againl. We are all happy for you albeit very jealous.

Not sure if you still have the europiccola - it would be great for us cremina wannabees if you could give us your opinions regarding the europiccola vs the cremina

I've got a europiccola but have been wanting - NO- I NEEEED one!.

[IMAWriter]

Robert-

Congrats againl. We are all happy for you albeit very jealous.

Not sure if you still have the europiccola - it would be great for us cremina wannabees if you could give us your opinions regarding the europiccola vs the cremina

I've got a europiccola but have been wanting - NO- I NEEEED one!.

Thanks to Bob, Johnny G, Ed, Caesar...and all who have been so generous with me.
It would be presumptuous of me at this juncture to say anything ...I'm still fiddling and farting here. I just sold the La Pavoni on ebay...no one at CG was tempted...got a few more bucks anyway...whatever.
I haven't ordered a base as yet...which I could find a used one for my custom Reg handle...
I'll do 49.4...flat, Cflat or thevery slight curve...don't remember if thats Euro or American...my 58mm Reg is that very slight convex...works awesome with the Synesso baskets.
I have discovered..at least I believe, that that big metal nut below the boiler cap has been cross threaded...on side is definetly higher than the other...a 23 mm space, while the other touches the top of the machine. There is also a vertical ridge that runs across the threads of the area you screw the boiler cap to...runs from bottom to top.
Still haven't found out which way to turn the nut to loosen...clockwise or counter...my 1 1/4 driver socket seems to fit, but would I be better with the exact size in MM's?...which is.....?
TIA

[espressme]

Many congratulations! I love it when a hope is realized!
sincerely
Richard / espressme

[TUS172]

Excerpt:

I have discovered..at least I believe, that that big metal nut below the boiler cap has been cross threaded...on side is definetly higher than the other...a 23 mm space, while the other touches the top of the machine. There is also a vertical ridge that runs across the threads of the area you screw the boiler cap to...runs from bottom to top.
Still haven't found out which way to turn the nut to loosen...clockwise or counter...my 1 1/4 driver socket seems to fit, but would I be better with the exact size in MM's?...which is.....?
TIA

The threading for the nut that holds the Cremina's cap does come off counterclockwise. It is a metric thread (25 mm X 1.5) that is usually used for conduit type applications 'across the pond'. In my 'C' Lever project I spent the better part of 2 hours fabricating this same nut because it is not one I could find in either the threading or the thinness of this particular part from Olympia...
c-lever-project-building-espresso-machine-from-cremina-parts-t5638-20.html
You might try applying some sort of upward pressure to the nut while you turn it... It may be past the threading onto the boilers neck... that is perhaps why it is a bit 'cockeyed'. If that is the case then you may be able to salvage the nut. If you can not salvage it, once you have it off, you have two choices: either you can start a parts list for Olympia or you can have a machinist turn you one. If I were you I would be somewhat careful of how much pressure I was torquing on that nut without some sort of counter torque from the bottom side of the boiler... Just a thought.
(Whoever owned it before you must have thought they were a genius when they torqued the crap out of it... ) All it actually does is hold the cap in place. I keep mine at minimal pressure on the caps of my Creminas.
Anyway I concur with Richard and others... It looks as if you have a great machine...
Enjoy the adventure!
Bob C

[gadflea]

Dude, IMAWriter, your ellipsis to post ratio on this thread alone averages 20:1.

Anyway, congratulations on the Cremina. It looks like a beautiful machine. I have not caught the lever bug yet, but if I ever do, it will be the Cremina that makes me take the plunge.

[IMAWriter]

Dude, IMAWriter, your ellipsis to post ratio on this thread alone averages 20:1.

Anyway, congratulations on the Cremina. It looks like a beautiful machine. I have not caught the lever bug yet, but if I ever do, it will be the Cremina that makes me take the plunge.

Yeah, those ellipsis can be deadly.......................................................................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc
Just for YOU, DUDE!
Just kidding....thanks for the good wishes....I stumbled on the lever forum about 6 months ago...it was folks like Steve, "Karl", Greg Moore, and many others, whose obviously affection for these anachronisms known as lever machines hooked me. stick around, basically ignore noobs like me (on levers), and focus on the folks here who know what the hey they are talking about. You'll be hooked soon enough, my friend.

[mogogear]

You are more than welcome Rob... you are doing a great job of sharing your experience learning your machine!!

Keep it up..

[IMAWriter]

You are more than welcome Rob... you are doing a great job of sharing your experience learning your machine!!

Keep it up..

Thanks, man...the aluminum tape is still intact after 20 shots.
My Yemen Sharisi SO has great body, almost as if it has robusta or monsooned in it.
I'm still a bit off, basically due to the lack of a proper tamper. The plastic tamper just doesn't get it level for me.
I really like the larger boiler the Cremina has. I do dump the last bit (usually about an inch up in the sight glass) every night, just so I can start fresh next day. 1/2 Brita, 1/2 filtered tap...the latter has some mineral content for flavor.
Hope all at the SCAA are having a great time.

[ntwkgestapo]

Rob, Congrats on the Cremina! I SAW that one on E-Bay and THOUGHT of trying for it, but figured it was gonna go for a LOT more than it did! ENJOY it! (and make sure you tell us ALL about the journey!)..

[IMAWriter]

Rob,
49.5mm may be a mm too large... I had three cut by Reg Barber at 49.4 for my Pavonis and Creminas. The fit is so close in my A Leva baskets I would not dare to go another mm. The measurement at the top of the basket may be 49.5 but there is a taper to the basket and the tamper at 49.4 will hang up half way down. JMHO...
Bob C

You are so right...I must have missed your post, or thought my measurement was accurate. My 49.4 gets slightly hung up in the basket....definitely my bad.
I toyed with the idea of sanding the inside of the basket, but I don't want to scar it up.
I should have sent the basket to reg...I would say at this juncture, that 49mm, or even 48.5 would do, so as to have enough room to NESW. Or even polish.
I'm sad. $40 back to Reg (2 way shipping +$20 for a retro-fit), as much as I admire his work and like him personally is a bitter pill to swallow. My own fault, though. Should have sent the basket. I really thought espresso tamped with a vitamin bottle would be better than no espresso at all. Close call there!
I have 2 baskets now. Too little too late.

[IMAWriter]

On another subject.
Is there supposed to be a little rubber "washer"/seal on the inside of the steam wand where it connects back to the machine? (I loosened the nut, removed the wand, and some bits of rubber fell out.
If that was a disintegrated seal, might that be indicative of other gaskets or seals in trouble. So far, no leaks, the lever rises occasionally as it cools, etc. The only thing not happening is drips of espresso when the wand has been raised 8-10 seconds, and/or a few mini-pumps before the pull down. Steve Robinson mentioned in an earlier thread that may be due to an improper grind.
TIA


Edit...ps...I'm still getting that sweet smell emanating from the steam wand.

[TUS172]

You are so right...I must have missed your post, or thought my measurement was accurate. My 49.4 gets slightly hung up in the basket....definitely my bad.

If it is getting hung up half way or more in the basket don't worry about it. If you are using the double basket for doubles the tamper will never get to the half way point anyway.

should have sent the basket to reg...I would say at this juncture, that 49mm, or even 48.5 would do, so as to have enough room to NESW. Or even polish.

I would think that 49mm or smaller would defeat the purpose of getting a custom turned tamper.
Note welone's post that is posted on another thread here on HB Levers. 49mm-baskets-for-olympias-t5771.html#p82289
The sizes of the basket interiors will handle the 49.4 tamper... Note the interiors on this post were measured 10mm below the rim... Roughly the area where your tamper will be done its work. Note the Elektra A Leva basket measurements... It is a good fit until you get past the point of where you will be doing your tamping.

[IMAWriter]

I would think that 49mm or smaller would defeat the purpose of getting a custom turned tamper.
Note welone's post that is posted on another thread here on HB Levers. 49mm-baskets-for-olympias-t5771.html#p82289
The sizes of the basket interiors will handle the 49.4 tamper... Note the interiors on this post were measured 10mm below the rim... Roughly the area where your tamper will be done its work. Note the Elektra A Leva basket measurements... It is a good fit until you get past the point of where you will be doing your tamping.

Based upon the thread link you so kindly provided, my 49.4 leaves me only .1mm clearance using an Olympia double basket...interesting that my Olympia double looks more like the Maximatic than the Cremina.
Tamping 13 grams in my Cremina double, the tamper will not come out without pulling the basket as well (which I have wrapped with aluminum tape to prevent such removal.
I just received an Elektra basket as well. It does not get hung up in the group, but the tamper sticks in it as well.

[TUS172]

I usually tamp more like 16 to 17 grams... but each to his own style...