Search found 20 matches

by bsafnuk
May 21st, 2010, 2:41 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 5
Views: 680

Need help identifying thread of La Spaziale steam tip

It wasn't pretty, but I got it to thread into a hole drilled to .300 and tapped with a 1/8-NPT tap. It doesn't bind at all, but after 2 or 3 threads the taper in the tap makes the hole too big. It seems like it is a different thread than your Bezzera tip - 28tpi seems to be correct
by bsafnuk
May 20th, 2010, 11:21 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 5
Views: 680

Need help identifying thread of La Spaziale steam tip

It is certainly possible that I measured inaccurately and it is actually 32 tpi - I don't have a thread gauge, and there are only 2 threads total so I was not that confident in my stated thread pitch. Of course, if it is a custom diameter and pitch, that doesn't help me too much
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by bsafnuk
May 20th, 2010, 5:59 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 5
Views: 680

Need help identifying thread of La Spaziale steam tip

As the subject suggests, I'm trying to identify the thread on the steam tip of the La Spaziale Vivaldi. In particular, the one sold by chriscoffee: {link} It does not seem to be a standard metric or imperial thread. The outer thread diameter is 0.334" (8.48mm) and the distance between threads is app...
by bsafnuk
July 6th, 2009, 10:23 am
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 11
Views: 2685

Noisy rotary pump

It sounds like you are having problems with your water inlet solenoid, not your pump. Sometimes they make the noise you describe when they are starting to fail, sometimes the attachment nut that holds the solenoid to the valve needs to be tightened. -Brad
by bsafnuk
March 31st, 2009, 11:30 am
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 28
Views: 3446

Building my own espresso machine

My first question to you would be "Why bother?" I don't mean to be flippant, but most people who try to build their own machine are motivated by either lack of funds or some perceived weakness in the class of machine they can afford to buy. Since you already have one of the best home machines money ...
by bsafnuk
May 29th, 2008, 12:55 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 523

Unusual flow pattern during extraction

As usual, Jim's advice is spot on. Decreasing the dose to approx. 12 g (I'm guessing since the battery on my scale decided to quit) led to a 2-3 second dwell time, with no start and stop. It also, unfortunately, coincided with a new problem - all my shots this morning were quite sour. However, at le...
by bsafnuk
May 29th, 2008, 12:01 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 523

Unusual flow pattern during extraction

Thanks for all the advice so far - lots to think about. Jim: I don't think my pump pressure is too high (8.75 bar during the extraction - assuming my gauge is accurate) but I will try dosing less tomorrow and see how it goes. I definitely don't overdose (14-15g in a double basket) but I do get a
by bsafnuk
May 28th, 2008, 1:26 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 523

Unusual flow pattern during extraction

That is a great suggestion, and definitely on my to do list. However, my line pressure is a whopping 5 bars - almost enough to make espresso without a pump, so I guess I would have to get a pressure regulator also. -Brad
by bsafnuk
May 28th, 2008, 10:17 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 523

Unusual flow pattern during extraction

It is a machine I built myself. It is a pid controlled double boiler with a grouphead pulled from an older Nuova Simonella (Mac model, I believe). I haven't done extensive testing of the temperature, but using a poor man's Scace device the starting temp is consistent within 1 degree and intrashot te...
by bsafnuk
May 28th, 2008, 9:31 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 523

Unusual flow pattern during extraction

I am experiencing a rather unusual extraction and hoping for some advice and guidance. In a nutshell, when I turn the pump on the espresso starts flowing almost instantaneously then stops about a half second later. From that point onward, the extraction looks much more normal (i.e. like the many vid...