EBay Olympia Cremina record? - Page 6

[mgwolf]

Hi all. I'm back from out of town. I couldn't wait to open up my eBay Cremina (the first of the recent two Zabar's models) to see how bad I was skunked. I was very pleasantly surprised. Except for the water level tube which is not functioning (seems to have a possible leak from the bottom portion of the tube), the unit seems to be in amazingly good shape. No dents, scratches, rust, etc. The only wear mark I can find is a small amount of brass showing under one of the knuckles on the portafilter. The only negative surprise is that there is asbestos on the boiler (1983 model). My wife is already suggesting it should reside in the basement. I plugged it in and made a shot which immediately. Seems to work fine. Now on to cleaning, repair, etc.

[TUS172]

The only negative surprise is that there is asbestos on the boiler (1983 model). My wife is already suggesting it should reside in the basement.

Ya, my '67 is wrapped in asbestos... but I have opted to keep it closed up and use it as is (for now anyway). My wife does not know and I am not offering any information willingly or she may have the same response.
Good to hear that there is not anything majorly wrong with it...

[mogogear]

One of my twins was also Asbestos endowed, I followed the lead that asbestos not airborne is not the threat of the "inhalable" version. I got a five gallon bucket, used a five gallon paint strainer bag from Home Depot. Left the boiler to soak over night on the water . Using disposable gloves, removed all the coating, with a plastic scraper and some steel wool for the resistant stuff. I would say 95 % all came off in 4 pieces. All of this was going on under water.

When done, I discarded my gloves into the bucket along with the steel wool. Pulled up the filter bag placed it inside a heavy plastic bag and took it to my local recycling center - they have a HAZARDOUS disposal drop off for chemicals old paint and solvents etc. I did re-strain the water several times through an large cone coffee filter- too that went along with the bucket. The water went into the base of a 3 foot deep hole for a new tree. Tree root ball and fill dirt on top. Perfect- no- close as I can get-yes.

It cost me a $5 donation+ $3 filter bag + a old bucket= peace of mind from not having the stuff in my kitchen everyday.

All of this was done with a dust filter mask on and eye protection. I may not have been that smart, and do not recommend this -just stating what I did after doing some research on the subject. I feel pretty comfortable with my exposure level and responsible disposal.

YMMV

[Cathi]

Michael, If it helps, my '75 also has the same. When I had it serviced I was told that as long as the insulation was intact that it was better to leave it alone. That's what I chose to do (for now, anyway).

[mgwolf]

I'd thought of maybe painting it with something like varnish to seal it it, but I might be tempted to try
Greg's underwater solution. The only major problem with asbestos, I believe, is the inhalation of particles. Then the cancer shows up in about 20 years and is fatal. But think of all the nice coffee I can drink in the next 20 years.

I looked inside the boiler and it looks pretty shiny. The heating coil has a very thin layer of hard water deposits on it. I flushed the machine with urnex and I'm soaking it overnight in vinegar. The rubber pf gasket and boiler cap gasket seem fairly pliable. Now I have to do some digging in old posts and find out exactly how to work the thing. Michael

[mogogear]

Have fun - Have fun- keep your expectations low and reasonable while you learn to put the variables together- It is similar to putting a golf swing together. grip, feel etc with a grinder and a tamp and tamp pressure to keep you entertained. It will all be fun. And if you have a significant other watching you and your routine- pay no attention to them giggling at you in your earnestness!

[bobcraige]

Hi all. I'm back from out of town. I couldn't wait to open up my eBay Cremina (the first of the recent two Zabar's models) to see how bad I was skunked. I was very pleasantly surprised. Except for the water level tube which is not functioning (seems to have a possible leak from the bottom portion of the tube), the unit seems to be in amazingly good shape. No dents, scratches, rust, etc. The only wear mark I can find is a small amount of brass showing under one of the knuckles on the portafilter. The only negative surprise is that there is asbestos on the boiler (1983 model). My wife is already suggesting it should reside in the basement. I plugged it in and made a shot which immediately. Seems to work fine. Now on to cleaning, repair, etc.

The sight glass not functioning is due to calcium deposits blocking the passages to the glass. It may also be leaking from the compression glands at top and bottom the seal the glass-a sure sign it needs rebuilding. I suggest you deal with the calcium before disassembly of the machine. Fill the boiler with decalification solution. Let the machine sit vertically for an hour, then put it on its back for an hour, then on its right side for an hour then its left side for an hour. In this way, you can get the solution to get into all the passages. You may need to repeat this. Once you are finished, you will need to flush the machine to get rid of the residue. If you take it apart after this decalcification, you probably should wait for the final flusing until the machine is all finished. First, neutralize the boiler with a few tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in the boiler water fill. Then many many fills of fresh water, heat up the boiler, and dump. You may still want to take it apart and mechanically clean inside, but once it is apart, you will not be able to hold the solution. When you are finished rebuilding it, you will do the final rinsing. Continue to fill, heat, cool, dump etc until all taste and smell of the solution is gone.

Personally, I do not worry about the asbestos as long as it is intact. It only is a problem if it is airborne. As long as it is intact and covered by the housing, my personal choice is to leave it alone. It was put there to keep the the boiler heat in and the exterior cool. If you are going to remove the asbestos, do it underwater, let it soak all day, then you can scrape if off, filter the water and discard in accordance with local laws.

[TUS172]

mgwolf wrote:

The only negative surprise is that there is asbestos on the boiler (1983 model). My wife is already suggesting it should reside in the basement. I plugged it in and made a shot which immediately. Seems to work fine. Now on to cleaning, repair, etc.

Now wait... there is another solution to your asbestos problem... ... You could follow your wife's advise and put it up for auction on ebay... ... I am sure there are more than a few people that are interested here on HB and out there in the vast 'espresso' world. Who knows you may even make a few bucks toward another newer version. Cremina watch is ready for another addition to it's page.

[mogogear]

Yep- they only reason I removed the asbestos from my 1981- was because the man doing the brazing to repair a leak needed to have a clean area to work on. My former machine ( Cleo) was all in good shape and I did not mess with it. KInd of like living with a snake on your property- we agree to do each other no harm- I don't stick my hand in the hole and not bitten as a result. Course I live in Western Oregon- no poisonous snakes= hiking and being able to let my mind wander and hike off trail..sleep beside lakes etc..

[mgwolf]

Has anyone tried sealing the asbestos by painting something over it? Seems easy and should work well. Michael

[porsche917k]

So, what year did they stop using asbestos? Will my machine from 1987 have asbestos in it? Anyone know?

Paul

[Fullsack]

So, what year did they stop using asbestos? Will my machine from 1987 have asbestos in it? Anyone know?

Paul

Probably sometime in 1983

http://www.home-barista.com/forum...sbestos-t3307.html

[timo888]

The only major problem with asbestos, I believe, is the inhalation of particles.

There is also a property damage risk. If the levels of asbestos fibers in the air inside your home exceed acceptable domestic levels as defined by the EPA, you could have a very costly remediation on your hands when you go to sell your house. For example, it can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 to have a licensed abatement company clean up contamination confined to a basement from improper removal of an old oil burner insulated with asbestos.

Never muck around with friable asbestos when it is dry. When wet, the fibers cannot become airborne. So keep it very wet at all times when working with it, and place it and your work materials in an airtight container and dispose of them according to local regulations.


Regards
Timo

[mrgnomer]

Then the cancer shows up in about 20 years and is fatal. But think of all the nice coffee I can drink in the next 20 years.

Asbestosis, I beleive, is what you can get from exposure to a high concentration of airborne asbestos fibres. Asbestos does not break down in your lungs and the fibres are hooked so once in there, they're not coming out. Eventually the lung tissue will get worn out dealing with the fibres and that usually is in about 20 or so years. Before that I don't think there's a real indication symptom wise of a severe problem. Once severe symptoms present themselves the end is usually near. Fireproof sprayers have the same problem and anyone inhaling high concentrations of persistent lung irritants like tool and die makers, cotton workers, coal miners, firefighters....

[Tim356]

Asbestosis and mold are over blown hysteria for most of the general public and a green(money)light to lawyers! If you are not subject to airborne fibers on a regular basis as Kirk stated, I would not lose sleep over it. Take the necessary precautions when removing the insulating material from the boiler and you will be fine. Brake pad mfgs. were huge in the past to these type of work related health issues. Enjoy your beautiful Olympia and cheers to a long life!

Tim

[TUS172]

Hmmm... New to Ebay... Looks like 'someone' did a fine job restoring this '88 Cremina...

[Cathi]

Anyone we know? Just Kidding! Does it pain to let your babies go? Or are you happy to send them off in the world?

[TUS172]

You would have to talk to "The Man"... But you never know there may be a new born on the way.

[Fullsack]

Anyone we know? Just Kidding! Does it pain to let your babies go? Or are you happy to send them off in the world?

The winning bidder may have to come to my house and pry my fingers off of it

[Fullsack]

You would have to talk to "The Man"... But you never know there may be a new born on the way.

I woudn't consider another Cremina wreck until I was assured there would be parts readily available.