Lubricating a lever machine

[KarlSchneider]

I have noticed in the past few days that my Elektra Microcasa feels as if there is some roughness in the piston movement. I also notice that on some shots the lever doe not rise slowly and steadily but rather rises in a jerking motion. I assume i need to pull the piston and clean the insides. I would welcome any suggestions on doing this. I would also welcome recommendations on what kind of grease to use and where one might get it.

[cannonfodder]

Any FOOD grade lube will work, use it very sparingly. Try a local restaurant supply Co. I will have to try to find the one I used and get a name brand on it.

EDIT:

Hay Professor, I just realized it was you, should have looked at the poster closer. I will see if I can find a tube of lube at work (same thing I used on my Factory), one of the benefits of working for a restaurant supply company. If I can find it I will let you use it if you are interested.

We should start the HBWDG OD (Home-Barista World Domination Group Ohio Division) or a LMWDP Ohio Division

[Bob Barraza]

When I put new piston gaskets in my MCL, I used 'Plumber's Silicone Grease' made by GUNK. I bought it at Lowe's. The label states 'Lubricates faucet stems, valves, o-rings, gaskets, etc. Contains no petroleum additives.'

It comes in a very small plastic tub (15 gm) that looks more like a lip balm container than a plumber's gear. However, a little bit goes a long way, so it should last a very long time. I noticed that it was very difficult to remove with soap and water from my fingers, which I take as a very good sign.

Unfortunately, I now know that I also have a dead spring which contributed to the binding that you describe. I'm still trying to find a spring for the 1983 machine.

More later,

Bob

LMWDP #0021

[cannonfodder]

What I used was 'Taylor Lube HP' manufactured by Taylor Co. Rockton IL. It is a food grade lube made for the food service industry to lubricate food processing equipment. One tube contains enough to last about a thousand years. We carry it here at work, but we do not sell to the public so you would have to find a local supplier. Cost is a whopping $1.73.

[TonerSupply-ISO9001]

Dear H-B folks: Naked Portafilter bodies for the LaPavoni Professional. I am currently machining my portafilter (PF) carrier to provide for a naked brewing experience. I've been quite happy with my lever LaP-PRO and have achieved high quality results. Stay tuned...I'll let you know how the naked PF functions.

2nd item: My company IS a source for Health Dept. certified Food Grade lubricant for your espresso machines. They come in four (4) ounce tubes which should last you quite a long time. I have two varieties. Blue and Red. I'm going to use the Blue on the piston. The Blue material has zero taste, nor contaminates to potentially pass on to the Espresso; The Red is a high heat application material and is more difficult to remove; Also, it contains a small amount of petroleum, so perhaps it is best NOT to use this on the LaPavoni Professional piston above the group head. I'll let you know how it functions.

Best regards to all, Walter

[TonerSupply-ISO9001]

Dear H-B folks:
BRAVO!!
Naked Portafilter SUCCESS!! I have successfully machined the PF for my LaPavoni-Pro with beautiful in appearance and terriffic pulling success! I can do that for you as well. The expense is $40 and up depending upon the complexity of what needs to be machined away. This is great! especially for those of us for whom a naked portafilter cannot be purchased. If you would like to have your own naked portafilter, you must send to me the portafilter and the basket, so I can assure that the correct area and amount of material is machined away.

I have tested and evaluated a terriffic food grade-certified lubricant for your lever machines; I use it on my own LaP-Pro lever machine. I carry it through my company; Email me here and I'll give you info.

Good fortune to all and Happy New Year!!
Best Regards, TS9001

[lennoncs]

2nd item: My company IS a source for Health Dept. certified Food Grade lubricant for your espresso machines. They come in four (4) ounce tubes which should last you quite a long time. I have two varieties. Blue and Red. I'm going to use the Blue on the piston. The Blue material has zero taste, nor contaminates to potentially pass on to the Espresso; The Red is a high heat application material and is more difficult to remove; Also, it contains a small amount of petroleum, so perhaps it is best NOT to use this on the LaPavoni Professional piston above the group head. I'll let you know how it functions.

Best regards to all, Walter

Do you have the NSF group and MSDS for this grease?

I don't care about the health dept...I want the NSF info.

Sean

[HB]

The expense is $40 and up depending upon the complexity of what needs to be machined away.

It is nice of you to offer to help. Not to provoke a price war, but board members should be aware that espressoParts.com will do it for $25 (link), as will Lino (link). Lino will hasten to mention though that he's very busy these days on other projects and only does custom machining work as time allows.

[TonerSupply-ISO9001]

Do you have the NSF group and MSDS for this grease?

Yes. where do you want it faxed, within the USA if that will satisfy your question. Jest let me know. @ toner9001@gmail.com. cheers, Walter

[timo888]

What I used was 'Taylor Lube HP' manufactured by Taylor Co. Rockton IL. It is a food grade lube made for the food service industry to lubricate food processing equipment. One tube contains enough to last about a thousand years. We carry it here at work, but we do not sell to the public so you would have to find a local supplier. Cost is a whopping $1.73.

I was researching the same question recently and can add some info about the lubricant Taylor sells in the RED TUBE. I didn't inquire about the blue.

I'd read that a food grade lubricant called MX3, produced several years ago by an Australian company named Inox had adverse effects upon some of the newer o-ring materials. Inox has subsequently released another food-grade grease, MX6, without those issues. After learning from Taylor that they did not make the Taylor Lube HP themselves but resold a grease made by Bel-Ray, I put the question to tech support at Bel-Ray, asking specifically about Buna-N in particular because the replacement o-ring I'm buying is made of it. This was Bel-Ray's answer:

"Taylor Lube HP ... is rebranded Bel-Ray Clear Grease 1.5 HP. This product is white mineral oil based aluminum complex grease. By nature of this product, it has very good water resistant property and doesn't have any adverse effects on BUNA-N type o-rings."

Regards
Timo

(2/12/07) P.S. Months ago now, H-B member bobcraige reported that the Olympia factory in Switzerland recommends Dow Corning 111 for lubricating and sealing its piston o-rings. Since then, I have been using the Dow 111 and it works great. Readily available on the internet in several sizes, from small packets to large tubes.

[cannonfodder]

The Red Tube is what we carry and what I have used. One tube will last a lifetime.

[stefano65]

I just add Dow Corning to my line of product
big tubes and convenient small packet also

[timo888]

I have noticed in the past few days that my Elektra MCL feels as if there is some roughness in the piston movement. I also notice that on some shots the lever doe not rise slowly and steadily but rather rises in a jerking motion. I assume i need to pull the piston and clean the insides. I would welcome any suggestions on doing this. I would also welcome recommendations on what kind of grease to use and where one might get it.

Olympia recommends Dow 111. It is readily available on the Internet. It is potable-water rated. And it has a HIGH MELTING POINT. Some food-safe lubricants will melt right away because their melting point is too low. Other food-safe lubricants are rated only for "incidental contact".

Regards
Timo

[orphanespresso]

We have Dow Corning 111 Lube available in 6 gram packets - anyone interested can drop me an email, or buy it from us on ebay.

Works great!

Barb

[HB]

Walter, Stefano, and Barb, please no more commercial posts. Thanks.

[orphanespresso]

My apologies HB - was just following the above line of posts - will refrain in the future!

[kev_uk]

Hi
I have had exactly the same thing with my Microcasa. I used Molykote 111 (the UK name for Dow Corning 111).
Over the last 2 Months I have lubricated it 3 times. I think I was not using enough lubricant or it was being rubbed off inside the cylinder when re-assembling, and not lubricating far enough down to stop the juddering.
I have been using it everyday for the last few weeks and it seems to be working fine.