The base of the Faemina is cast aluminium but the boiler is cast brass with chrome plate. The base of the boiler has a cover that is thin chromed steel (the part that covers the element terminals and has the black plastic tamper attached to it) this has no strength and you couldn't push against it. ...

This machine we be descaled, rebuilt and re-wired when I am back in NY for my next vacation. Funny what some people see as a vacation

This machine has been used daily and probably serviced every two years. One of the issues is that the owner assumed that by getting a service everything was taken care of. There was little or no routine maintenance done between services. I guess this is what is at the heart of what all the replies o...

Thanks again for your insights they are appreciated. I normally live in Australia but just happen to be here on vacation so I opened it up and did some assessment. The machine currently has a broken pressure stat which we could replace and get it back up and running. But really this machine is showi...

Thanks for the reply's. I understand your position. As someone who does all my own repairs I often don't think about the cost of labour. Would either of you be able to suggest a comparable machine as a replacement? Looking for something with a little electronics as possible. Just a straight HX machi...

I have a friend with a isomac tea - stainless steel box with a E61 group. It's a reasonable age - maybe 15 years old but has been serviced regularly. Recently her service location told her that they would no longer service the machine as it's "too old" so we are looking for recommendations for a new...

Hey Rob, that's exactly my concern. I was wondering if I should make the bushing "sacrificial" so that it is the part that wears first - I could make it out or hard aluminium or brass. The plus side of stainless is that it is hard and will have reduced friction. Its hard to know exactly how much force

I was wondering if anyone had an option about something: One of the two lever pins - the one that doesn't go through the piston rod - sits in a bushing that moves back and forth in the slot at the top of the cylinder. Currently this bushing is steel and the slot on top of the piston is aluminium

So, I have managed to make new parts to replace all chromed mild steel parts with 316 stainless. New lever arm, piston rod and spring. all that's left is to make new pins and pin bushing. {image} These are some of my first ever machining jobs and its very satisfying to make a part that fits and is an

Now I have everything pretty much apart. {image} The inside of the kettle is a bit rough with the aluminium liner corroded to paper thin in the lower areas. It shouldn't effect the operation of the machine and I will clean it gently as best I can. especially as I had to empty a can of WD-40 into