Help on Cappuccino Amore

[happytamper]

Hello,

This is my first post. I have been interested in Lever machines for a long time and I recently bought two online. An old Pavoni Europiccola and a Cappuccino Amore. I bought them both on ebay.

The Pavoni was missing the portafilter and I have sculpted my own and it will be cast in bronze shortly. I also changed the gaskets and seals. Look forward to using it.

The Cappuccino Amore was a mess. I cleaned and polished it and when I opened the bottom I saw there was water damage to the mechanism that controls the temperature in the boiler. Is there any way this can be replaced? The way it works is that there is one setting to make the espresso and another to steam milk. This mechanism is attached by means of a bare steel wire attached to a thermocouple (i think that is what it is called) inside the boiler. Also the main piston is in rough shape and the gaskets are in need of replacement. I would like to fix this machine so it can be used.

Any help, advice, suggestions would be appreciated.

For now I will continue to use my Saeco Magic which has served me well.

[srobinson]

Pics? Not familiar with that machine and not getting much on my searches. On the pavoni you can buy about any part you need....need to see what your other one is similar to.

[peacecup]

There is another on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....em&item=4446034984

Looks somewhat like a Riviera? Good luck with it - I'll look forward to seeing some photos of crema!

PC

[happytamper]

I began the restoration of my machine. Dismantled it, polished all the brass parts and it looks great. However there are a few problems with the unit. Bought this item on ebay and never received something with this many problems, I guess I paid for a home project.



1. The piston assembly is a mess!



I am not sure whether I should try and repair this one or get a machinist to lathe a new one in brass or bronze.

2. When I opened the base I found that the thermostat switch was rusted and will not function anymore.

I am going to try and find some kind of temperature switch that will stay on until the boiler reaches a certain temperature/pressure and then cut power, and another switch that will override this and heat to a higher temperature/pressure for steam. I am not sure at what temperature the power to the boiler should be shut down for brewing, and at what temperature it should be shut down for steam. Also I would like to create a safety temperature relay in case the power is left on. Seems there was none on this machine and I imagine that this could be a fire hazard. I guess this was fine back in the day.

Any suggestions will help as I am a sculptor and not an electrician. lol. Actually I also have a degree in building engineering/civil but have worked as a sculptor for the past 15 years.

3. I am going to need new piston gaskets.



Anyone know where I can buy these gaskets? Does some company sell them when you specify the size, shape, material, etc.

[peacecup]

The group design looks like my Ponte Vecchio, with the exception that mine has a flat plate where it bolts to the boiler, whereas yours is curved. I have heard that the Riviera uses the same group as the PV, which be also be the same as yours. If this is the case, contact Gene at Vanelis.com - he ought to be able to get Ponte Vecchio parts, and might also know if they are interchangeable. I suspect the theromstat switch at the least ought to be acceptable. Good luck, and I'll look forward to more photos,

PC

[happytamper]

Thanks peacecup, I sent him a message.

[happytamper]

Hello to all lever enthusiasts.

I finally finished the bronze portafilter I was working on. The handle is made of Bubinga (african rosewood). It worked out great, only problem was the basket falling out when I emptied the grounds but thanks to a thread I found here I wrapped some teflon tape around the basket and it stays in place now. So all is well in espressoland at my house.



I am still working on the cappuccino amore machine and will post images of the progress when there is something interesting to see.


I also just bought a grinder, The Zassenhaus grinder that goes in between the knees. Still trying to figure out the right grind. I made the mistake of grinding too fine and could not push the lever down on my Pavoni and then ground to coarse and ended up with a thin boring shot. It will take some time before I get it right. But I am enjoying the learning curve.

[kbuzbee]

Cool project, Mitchell. And thanks for the link to your art. Very cool!

Ken

[Latte Jed]

...merged with thread on closely related topic by moderator...


I just picked up a Cappuccino Amore ITALIANSTYLE Model CE 14. (photo of similar machine)
I would like to get operation instructions. Be glad to pay for a copy of the manual.
Perhaps someone out there has experience running one of these machines, and could share a few tips with me.

I assume the brass knob is there to change temperature settings from brew to steaming.
How full do you tamp the basket? Did they make a single basket?
How long do you hold the lever down, and do you assist or slow its return to the top?
Has anyone found parts. My steam wand has a crack.

I'll appreciate any help.

CoffeeGeek has some information:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/6638

[recdotcoffeedothack]

I just picked up a Cappuccino Amore ITALIANSTYLE Model CE 14. (photo of similar machine)
I would like to get operation instructions. Be glad to pay for a copy of the manual.

I have a factory manual here: I'll scan it in the next few days and then can email it to you and anyone else interested.
The model I have is the model displayed earlier in this thread.

Gary

[mogogear]

I just picked up a Cappuccino Amore ITALIANSTYLE Model CE 14. (photo of similar machine)
I would like to get operation instructions. Be glad to pay for a copy of the manual.
Perhaps someone out there has experience running one of these machines, and could share a few tips with me.

I assume the brass knob is there to change temperature settings from brew to steaming.
How full do you tamp the basket? Did they make a single basket?
How long do you hold the lever down, and do you assist or slow its return to the top?
Has anyone found parts. My steam wand has a crack.

I'll appreciate any help.

I have been to visit http://www.homeespressorepair.com folks in Seattle They have a limited website but are a great source for info and lever machine repair. The last time in there shop I saw a few of these machines on a shelf above the front door( kind of a museaum display- with dust!!) I was told the main issue with these machines is to be careful with the piston in the group. The piston is made from "pot metal". Read- not very durable. Once it corrodes and degrades - you dead in the water unless you can find a parts source or machine to scavage. You might try them for any parts and wisdom. Enjoy your new manual- That was a fast find!!

[happytamper]

I have a factory manual here: I'll scan it in the next few days and then can email it to you and anyone else interested.
The model I have is the model displayed earlier in this thread.

Gary

I would appreciate a copy of the manual as well, I was also wondering if anybody opened up the brew head and removed the piston assembly, mine was made of aluminum and in very bad shape as can be seen in a picture towards the beginning of this thread. I wanted to know if all the piston heads were aluminum or if possibly mine was a replaced one. Also my thermostat is shot so I will have to replace it, any suggestions?

I am off to the my marble supplier today to get a base cut that will replace the plastic base that came with mine.

I have also sent off measurements of the inside of the brew head and one of the three gaskets to Gene Lemos at Vanelis.com and hope he will be able to find me some gaskets and a new piston head. I will update when I get the info.

[another_jim]

As far as I know, this is the same group as on the Riviera and Ponte Vecchio machines. The Ponte Vecchio is now made by the company that owns Nouva Ricambi, and they may have parts for the group. I believe Mr Espresso of Oakland was the original importer.

[bill]

I just sold my Italianstyle on Ebay, in fact it's the one in the photo. The group is huge, and nothing like a Riviera. I never had a tamper for it and never even used it to make coffee. The basket size is about 68mm.

[happytamper]

I just sold my Italianstyle on Ebay, in fact it's the one in the photo. The group is huge, and nothing like a Riviera. I never had a tamper for it and never even used it to make coffee. The basket size is about 68mm.

Basket size is actually 58 mm diameter and about 29mm deep. My europiccola is about 50mm diameter and 19 mm deep. Big difference. this is going to be a great machine for double shots into two cups. I look forward to getting it working again. It will look a bit different than the original and I hope will make great espressos. I found an old thermostatat that opens the circuit when surface temperature of the tank hits 95C. I will hook this up and create a bypass switch for steam. But I still have to wait for a piston head to get it going. No rush though, My Europiccola for a morning cap and my la peppina for an early evening shot is working out fine for now. And I have cast a happytamper with the right diameter for this new machine when it gets going.

Lots of fun in espressoland.

[bill]

Mitchell,
Looks like these were available with different size groups so be careful if you find a source for parts. The one pictured in Latte Jed's post has a diameter much larger then yours. The 58mm tamper I use with my Futurmat was much to small.

[Latte Jed]

I've been running my Cappuccino Amore in a seat-of-the-pants style, until I get ahold of better information.
I'm trying to get a decent grind to provide proper crema. I'm getting approximately a 30 second pull,
that includes a half pull for a full double shot.
It produces some crema, but it's weak and gets pushed off to the side. I wonder if the long drop (4'' from spouts to base)
to the cup has an influence on this?
The basket is huge (68mm) and I've been using 18-20 grams of coffee.

The one thing I notice is that once it's on, it stays on. The pressure gauge heads directly to and beyond the red mark.
I've taken to shutting it off as soon as it hits 1 bar, although I think the coffee still tastes a little burnt.

I'm sure this sounds like the thermostat is malfunctioning. Is there a replacement part out there that would work on this machine?
It has a 2 position switch for steaming. I haven't yet figured out the easy way to get to the boiler.

I've also silver soldered the crack in the lid and the cracked wand. Steaming is great now!
The handle was splintered on the threaded end and was replaced with a wooden handle.
And, from somewhere, a brass eagle landed to cover the fill knob.

[izzy]

I have been running this exact same machine almost daily since 1978. Bought it back then from a liquidator in Portland, Maine for $79. I have the original booklet that came with the machine that I can scan email to you as a pdf - no technical info but might be nice to have. It appears that it was either manufactured or distributed by Italiansyle s.r.l. - Milan. Recently I have developed a problem where the piston might not come down and seat completely after a full pull. I have to open the steam valve to relieve the pressure and place a large bowl under to piston to catch to water that continues to flow. One way I found to fix this is to spray WD40 on the top of the piston and work it for a few minutes to get it down in to mechinism. This seems to fix the system for a few months. I suspect that the rubber gaskets may be going and was happy to see your photo revealing what I will find inside. I would be interested to know if you had any luck locating new gaskets? I'm sure my piston must look like yours but it does not seem to affect how the machine works. Other than a thermostsat I think a good cleaning and new gaskets should do it for you. Let me know if I can help.

[mogogear]

I have been running this exact same machine almost daily since 1978. Bought it back then from a liquidator in Portland, Maine for $79. I have the original booklet that came with the machine that I can scan email to you as a pdf - no technical info but might be nice to have. It appears that it was either manufactured or distributed by Italiansyle s.r.l. - Milan. Recently I have developed a problem where the piston might not come down and seat completely after a full pull. I have to open the steam valve to relieve the pressure and place a large bowl under to piston to catch to water that continues to flow. One way I found to fix this is to spray WD40 on the top of the piston and work it for a few minutes to get it down in to mechinism. This seems to fix the system for a few months. I suspect that the rubber gaskets may be going and was happy to see your photo revealing what I will find inside. I would be interested to know if you had any luck locating new gaskets? I'm sure my piston must look like yours but it does not seem to affect how the machine works. Other than a thermostsat I think a good cleaning and new gaskets should do it for you. Let me know if I can help.

Careful Izzy of that WD 40 - you might grow a fin- or ....stop growing all together - Food grade lube to keep from getting that petrol aftertaste with just a hint of Cheney };)

[Zire]

I'm new to this forum and to this cappuccino making. On this past weekend I got a Cappuccino Amore CE14C. There was no book or instructions with it. But I liked all the brass, so I couldn't pass it up. I would like to take out the piston and rubbers because they are very stiff. I did see the disassembled one belonging to happytamper. My question is how do you get the strainer or fine screen out of the bottem so the piston can drop out. Will it screw off or pry off. Also if someone out there does have a book or instruction I would sure like to get a copy. I don't mind paying for it.

Thanks.

~Bob~