For the past year I have been collecting parts from various sources (some from the members here on HB) for a project to build a lever espresso machine. The core components are from Olympia Cremina machines. I will cut and form the body parts for the machine. The boiler is from a '68 Cremina. This particular style of boiler has a brass bar that traverses the front of the machine and supplies a port to the pressurestat side and also to the other side of the machine that feeds the steam tap assembly. I currently have all the parts I need to build the machine except for the steam tap assembly and wand that will fit this particular boiler. If I would have been smart a few months ago one was offered but I did not act soon enough. So I am sending out a request for a steam tap assembly for this style boiler...

All the other 'support' components that I am using are new... fittings, tubing, electrical, pressure relief, monitoring and safety components... (thank God for McMaster Carr and Grainger).

Anyone have such an animal?

Bob - have you had a conversation with Will at Home Espreso repair yet? He might have a tap and a wand...

I have an extra boiler with a HX in it from an Astra Gourmet- it may be about 5Liters.... and a frame for an Astra---

Thanks for the offer Greg,

I have already sourced everything and purchased most the components to get this particular project under way.

Yes, I have already emailed Will and he did not have what I needed. He suggested Rudy's in NYC... I have not yet attempted to contact them.

At first I was going to build strictly with Olympia components but after a suggestion from Richard and some DD I have found that I can customize this machine with high quality components offerred from various manufacterers in the here and now. It also gives me the opportunity to modify the fittings and incorporate Stainless NPT Fittings and US standard size tubing.

I gave some thought to taking the steam tap from my original '67... 67 Cremina (Grand Ma) but that would simply be sacrilege! She works as if she were new and I have never had to replace anything on her. No this is a project from scratch. I had purchased the boiler and frame that Doug offered earlier this year but did not intend at that point to try this project so I opted to hold off on the steam tap... Now that I have determined to attempt a 'build' I might not use the original frame but instead weld a stainless frame to fit the proportions needed. We shall see...

I have one from a 67, but has some worn parts on the internals. thus why I replaced. Exterior is perfect and has been rechromed. Drop me a PM and we can talk about it.

Thanks

Bob, can you tell us what your goal is? Will this be to obtain a larger boiler or maybe an artful package? I'd love to hear the thought process behind this.

I remember that the 1st time I tore into one of these units thinking that with the quality workmanship of the operating parts (boiler, grouphead, heating element and steam tap assemblies) it would be interesting to create a high quality encasement and support environment that would compliment it appropriately. We shall see how things progress... But understand that this will take some time to complete... I want to enjoy this little project. So stuff like the frame and body panels will be of my making... (I have access to a metal fabrication shop). I will be taking my time, I hate wasting materials.

I can't wait. Projects like this are too much fun to watch. Vicarious thrills.

Good On Ya Bob!
First and foremost ..Ya gotta have fun! If you aren't having fun you are not doing something right!
richard / espressme
Mainly this week I are .. avoiding all work!

Thanks Richard,
Hopefully I will do this project right... I may have questions along the way to ask of many of you... I have no idea at this point what to expect... Nothing is drawn on paper yet... Don't know much about CAD... Don't know that it would help. Its all a part of the adventure.

Heard from Doug!

Also had a response from SR himself...

Well... I have finished welding and sand blasting a new frame. The welds and the finish on the holes need to be polished up but its fitted. The height and length dimensions are a bit different from the standard Cremina frame. All the steel in it is a bit heavier than the standard Cremina frame... I used angled steel for the uprights instead of the flat steel that is used in the original frames. And "Hey...The boiler fits!" I did cut out areas where it was not practical to have the full angled steel. I opted to go with steel instead of stainless because I will be sending it off to be Chromed in the near future.


The pic below shows the sheet metals I have bought for the body, face plate, drip tray, cover and a drawered base for the Cremina to stand on. Want to talk about the price of high grade sheet metals?! One 1X2 sheet of 14 gauge Naval Mirrored brass and one 2X2 sheet of satin finished 16 gauge stainless.


As you can probably see from the pics... I have not polished the boiler yet. I figured I will have plenty of time for that when things (Frame, Grouphead, lever, forks, etc...) are out in various parts of the country getting "upgraded".