Astoria commercial lever machine restoration/modification - Page 5

Equipment doesn't work? Troubleshooting? If you're handy, members can help.
pacificmanitou
Posts: 1302
Joined: 12 years ago

#41: Post by pacificmanitou »

Very nice. With the exposed groups and hanging edges on the new case, it reminds me a bit of this Astoria: http://prima-coffee.com/content/astoria ... achine-al2
LMWDP #366

perfectwheels (original poster)
Posts: 208
Joined: 11 years ago

#42: Post by perfectwheels (original poster) »

That is indeed a nice machine...nice price too!

perfectwheels (original poster)
Posts: 208
Joined: 11 years ago

#43: Post by perfectwheels (original poster) »

OK...the parts came back from powder coating on Friday, the fun begins.









Since the pressure gauge would be hanging in mid air now, some reworking of the plumbing was in order.



I was going to assemble the machine without the auto-fill so I reworked one of the lines. Since then I have changed my mind so I'll be waiting for some parts to solder up the auto-fill line again.



I would be waiting for the parts regardless.



Maybe not the most visible place but there was a convenient hole in the frame here. From this angle the Astoria badge looks rather cut in two, but most of the time its ok.



A very fun puzzle.



It was mentioned that the handles were too long and could get bumped and bent. I was going to find shorter ones but went a different route instead.



This brass does not like to be tig welded with my setup, though obviously its possible. If I were to do it again I would drill and re-tap the threads and then file new flats for the handle.



The end result is shorter handles that are out of the way and don't look like they are hanging in space.

Larry-

perfectwheels (original poster)
Posts: 208
Joined: 11 years ago

#44: Post by perfectwheels (original poster) »



So, the project got a little bogged down with building a new counter for the machine and then running power and water. Today though, all the proper plumbing parts showed up and we get to see how things are.

First problem was the auto fill control valve was spraying water all over...easy short term fix was to turn off the water to the auto fill system. I'll come back to that problem on another day.

Second minor problem was seeping from the ball valve adjuster screws on the group heads. I should have replaced those little o-rings. Anyway, that was not enough to stop progress today.

Everything else was working properly....pulled a few shots...a couple of them even drinkable. I'm looking forward to learning how to work this new machine!


perfectwheels (original poster)
Posts: 208
Joined: 11 years ago

#45: Post by perfectwheels (original poster) »

http://youtu.be/jFecvoHK93A

video of the first shot!

User avatar
allon
Posts: 1639
Joined: 13 years ago

#46: Post by allon »

Welcome to the CMA lever club :)

It's a wonderfully simple machine and has so much hacking potential. Mine is still stock but I've thought of exposing the groups like you did. I had plans at one time to steampunk it out a little bit, but those have been set aside for now.

Nice job!
LMWDP #331

Post Reply