Restoring 1960 Faema Urania Three pull, need advice

[LaMad Capo]

I am new to the Espresso Machine arena. I recently picked up a 1960 Faema Urania Three pull and would like to restore it.
I read the article on the Faema resto and was very impressed. I would like more info and direction on my machine.

[Paul]

This is my process for getting an old lever going and shiny, I am sure that others will chime in with better advice.

1. Take photos of the intact machine for posterity. Remove all covers, taking more photos taking particular attention to the position of pipe work.

2. Remove the groups, pipework and boiler from the frame. Disassemble all before soaking for 2 - 3 days in either citric or ascorbic acid (you can buy these from a homebrew supplies store). I degrease anything greasy that I intend to reuse (though I like to use new bearings and springs)

3. Strip and paint frame (some sandblast then powder coat, giving much better results)

4. Rewire machine from scratch using new switches

5. Rebuild groups, I replace all consumables that are still available (piston seals, bearings, shower screen, group head seals and nice new handles). Use food grade grease to help get the pistons back in the groups.

6. Rebuild boiler and any pipework (if necessary), polish, replace gasket and element

7. Rebuild steam and water valves, replacing washers

8. Polish or paint bodywork as appropriate

9. Reassemble all using new fasteners

The last 3 group machine I restored took me about 3 months of nights and weekends and cost about US$500 in parts and materials. None of the work was particularly hard though alot of the time it was very tedious. My big tip would be to buy a small propane torch. This helps greatly to loosen-up gummed up parts.

My 3 group machine has had daily use in my kitchen for the past 3 years without any troubles.

cheers
Paul

[LaMad Capo]

Here are two pictures of my machine

[mogogear]

If you don't have a digital camera my frind, get one . Taking those pictures to refer back to will make faded memories come back to life. Orient the part as it attaches. Lots of pictures of your left hand

Also some cheap plasitic clam shells containers from your local deli- to hold groups of screws from certain components will help organization. You can label them( " Parts for Group #1) etc. (Boiler screws etc)

Nice machine - have fun keeping us posted

[happytamper]

That looks so cool!

I can not figure out what the second group from the left is for. Not for espresso I assume.

Good luck and I hope you have many friends to make espresso for. It looks like a machine made to serve alot of shots. Keep us posted.

[LaMad Capo]

8 Mega Pixel Nikon in hot standby. Containers in hand. Short of time of course.
I had the same question as to what the second unit is. Looks like a drip coffee container. Also some more "WHAT THE...?" items pictured as well as the coffee grinder.
Keep comments coming,
Regards,
Bill the Bubblehead

[mogogear]

I have seen those "americano" coffee makers on several machines..... the name escapes me, but I am sure someone is googling right now. Several makers utilized them. It was like having an ATOMIC coffee maker built in to a head area. That next picture looks to be some sort of water regulator perhaps..... ? Or if your machine was setup to operate via gas and burners( which alot of older machines like yours were equipped for) it could be a gas regulator... guessing..

[mogogear]

Ok, I found a new version of this "Giant espresso reservoir." It is on a WEGA, but many makers had them. Gaggia and Rancilio to name a few other than obviously Faema.

http://www.pennineteaandcoffee.co.uk/wega/thermo.html

The WEGA on can rapidly brew 2.5 liters of espresso?? and it can be help on tap to draw from as you need it. maybe this is the way they dealt with people drinking lattes etc. If you were going to cover up your espresso with a lot of dairy- Wa LA- you got Bulk Espresso!!!!!- It even had a steam nozzle in the reservoir to "reheat " the supply on hand!

[LaMad Capo]

I figured the second unit was some sort of volume liquid holder. Thanks for the website. Some sailor probably figured it out for max espresso supply - the Navies of the world run on coffee. As to the other unit, it has a glass tube on the side (water level indicator). I am sure someone will figure it out. I was in the box along with 19 espresso cups and some sort of insulated cable. I will post a picture of the cable later.
Many thanks.
Bill the Bubblehead

[LaMad Capo]

Here are a few views of the unit. it looks like some type of flow regulator. Any ideas. Also does anyone have any idea where this cable goes?






Regards
Bill the Bubblehead

[Paul]

first pic:
This is a mechanical water level controller for the boiler. The float in the chamber actuates the water inlet valve when the level gets low. Small machines don't need these. All my 1 group machines rely on the barista to manually fill the boiler during operation. Your machine was intended for busy commercial situations where this would have been a distraction. I will have a look at my parts manuals to see if it is called something else.

second pic:
Wires probably go from pressure switch to element. The insulated ends go to the element. Is your pressurestat still present? If not, don't worry, you can easily add in a modern one. Some (again, small) old machines do not have pressurestats though I am sure that yours should.

cheers
Paul

[Paul]

forgot to say,

If it were me, i would not be too bothered if I couldn't get the autolevel working again. Your machine will have a manual fill tap somewhere on it you could use instead. Are those needles in the valve mechanism corroded? Can you see if where they seat in the valve is corroded?

I am very jealous. That looks like a real fun project.

cheers
Paul

[LaMad Capo]

The needle valve and seat looks almost new. I think I can get it to work again. As I said earlier, the date tag is 1960 and the Newsprint to wrap the pieces up for storage were dated 1964. Having been a Machinist Mate on submarines, I have worked on many a needle valve and this one looks better than most. Thanks for your help.

When my friend said Espresso machine, I thought "something nice for early morning coffee". The more I find out about this machine the more interesting it gets and the more enthusiastic I get. I may have to find a one pull for home use. What with both the float valve and the volume unit I may have to open up an "Espresso stand" on my front lawn or have my closest 1000 friends over to full appreciate this machine.
I will keep posting. Thank again.
Regards,
Bill

[happytamper]

When my friend said Espresso machine, I thought "something nice for early morning coffee". The more I find out about this machine the more interesting it gets and the more enthusiastic I get. I may have to find a one pull for home use. What with both the float valve and the volume unit I may have to open up an "Espresso stand" on my front lawn or have my closest 1000 friends over to full appreciate this machine.
I will keep posting. Thank again.
Regards,
Bill

Hi Bill,

I know exactly how you feel. A big machine for a couple of coffees a day. But it is fun to get it going and once it works, after 40 years storage, you will really enjoy it. And the ghosts of espresso past will smile.

[LaMad Capo]

Thanks all for encouragement.
Any tricks to clean parts and filters of 40 year old coffee stains?

Regards,
Bill The Bubblehead
LMWDP #078

[Paul]

For cleaning, I use a coffee machine cleaner for the greasy bits and acid/water for the scaly bits.

a source of cleaner (eg urnex cafiza): http://www.wholelattelove.com/cleaning.cfm (i've never used these guys due to my location but I have read good things about them)

a source of acid: use citric acid in hot water. I use 250g acid to 10L water. Soak parts in this for a day or two. Buy powdered citric acid from a home brew or baking supplies store.

I've never had to use anything else other than these. You'll be surprised how easily the coffee oils dissolve in the detergent.

good luck and dont forget the progress photos
Paul

[LaMad Capo]

Thanks all for info. I started the disassembly process. Conditions not as bad as expected. All of the fittings are coming apart with some effort. The heavy lifting of this is going to be the cleaning and polishing. The casing came off surprisingly easy. I drained 42 year old water out of the boiler (See Pic). All in all very interesting.






42 year old water (clear and no oder)

[happytamper]

Here are a few views of the unit. it looks like some type of flow regulator. Any ideas. Also does anyone have any idea where this cable goes?

Looks like the wiring leading up to the mercury pressurestat on my machine.

[cannonfodder]

When I rebuilt my Faema I went through the same process. I used JoeGlo to clean all the residue (worked wonderfully) and a commercial ice machine delimer on the scale. Keep in mind that the descale agent wont clean the old coffee oils. I cleaned for scale, rinsed well then soaked over night in JoeGlo, parts were like new.

[LaMad Capo]

Cannonfodder, JoeGlo sounds like it might do the trick, thanks.
Mitchell, Sorry to say it does not have any type of pressure stat. I will have to figure out what to set up after I have completed the cleaning.

The boiler has what appear to be burn marks - probably from gas. Started the boiler disassembly. snapped of one stud (go Figure) the rest came off smooth as you please. There seems to be a pot metal strong back (the dusty gray and white ring) which has decided to come off in pieces. Any one have and idea where to find another one (suitable substitute)? Having a time splitting the gasket now.

I took the decorative panels off. The entire machine has a thin covering of verdigris all over the chrome. Soaked them in vinegar and water. Needless to say - will have to re-chrome. Found out the shiny decorative buttons are not solid brass, came off where the verdigris was. Any ideas for replacements?

Onward and upward,
Regards,
Bill The Bubblehead
LMWDP #078