I just bought a conti grouphead for the very same purpose - the cost in gbp including a portafilter was £390, so not cheap. In the past I've dealt with conti in monaco and the Conti UK, both were easy to deal with though making an international bank transfer was a headache. Not sure if there is a US...

Nice idea! I ponder making a mini propane fired espresso machine (perhaps based on a faema velox style group) now and again. Using one of those coleman stoves is a nice idea, though I'd agree with 2 stroke bloke that temperature control will require some thought. As for temperature, it might be poss...

Hi Tom, I was able to get a full set of spares for the visacrem/spanish gaggia group from Fracino in Birmingham, UK - including shower screens, piston V/Lip seals/gaskets, as well as some of the chromed steel guides for the lever latch/locking mechanism. Contact details for their parts department ca...

I have a machine to share, egged on by the couple non-standard restorations posted by Chert and Tom. My machine is a hybrid as far as I know - a 70s Gaggia Tel but fitted with the more modern Spanish Gaggia/Visacrem groups. I didn't help - I ditched the faded orange paint and had the panels powderco...

Try Fracino, Birmingham, UK. Identify what parts you're looking for (part number+diagram) and try getting in touch with them via email. I restored a gaggia tel 2grp lever and they were a great help in sourcing parts

To vary the speed of percolation using a Hario v60 I vary the 'fullness' to which I fill the cone during brewing For example - to brew a single cup, to increase the brewing time I brew while only filling the cone perhaps 2/3 full - so the ratio of grounds to brew water is higher - I can't

Based on my experience with a commercial lever - Spanish gaggia. The standard shot volume seems to be 25-30ml, with preinfusion of around 10s, with beading observed around the edges of a bottomless pf before releasing the lever. To pull ristrettos I increase the dose, and preinfuse for 3-5 seconds, ...

Thought I'd offer my findings in on the topic as well - I've got a number 4 I bought from ebay. It is a behemoth. Grinds about a gram per rotation for filter brewing. Which, has the potential to be quicker than a commercial burr grinder depending how energetic you are feeling. There is a fair amount...

I recently had a set of springs for a Gaggia GX group wound for me by a local company, the cost was £40 (~$60US) for two springs, though I've got no doubt the cost would come down with quantity. The springs in my machine were probably the 1970s originals and quite corroded - one spring was noticably...

Hi Ian - I'm in Glasgow as well (for now), been lurking for ages but registered to post - I would recommend stopping by artisan roast and tasting their house blend as espresso (jansoon) then bringing a bag home to experiment with. It's an intensely flavourful fruity espresso with a near fizzy effere...