Well now I am fudido......(portuguese for "screwed"), because I just discovered Ebay Italy...... and looked at a few beautiful Faema lever machines..... Espresso machine pron (porn)....... I guess I gotta learn a little Italian so I can ask about shipping..... Italian is kinda close to Portuguese, romance language and all..... and I speak pretty good street portuguese........ Oh, man though..... now I have to get an understanding between the Velox group and the Zodiaco group..... so I know what I am looking at.... I will go thread hunting in the forum.... anyone want to point me in a good direction? I will do some searching with these key words....Velox, Zodiaco, Faema Lever...... So much to learn, so little time...... What fun!!!

Hi again Clay, careful - you're on a slippery slope now Whilst all the lambros are pretty much the same, the 1 group presidents and Uranias come in lots of different variations.The Velox group has 2 small boilers, and would be the hardest for parts etc.Other models have either the 'lambro' type boiler or the larger 10 litre boiler.As a general rule earlier models were dipper tube, later models thermosyphon.This thread has some good pic's and desriptions

Which Faema President considered more preferable

Most sellers willing to ship worldwide will speak some english, beware on Ebay Italy, there are some dodgy sellers around with poor descriptions, and auctions listed to get interest, then pulled at the last moment.Doug at Orphan espresso may be able to help you with importing a machine and parts.It's not a cheap exercise, i've imported a couple down to New Zealand and it usually costs around 700-800 Euro.It can be cheaper if the seller arranges shipping, but then you have to deal with customs etc at your end

Well said sir. As accurate a recollection as has ever been recollected. A fine tale you tell. An extra c in the surname is the only inaccuracy I spot.

Now the big lever sits idle on the stand masterfully designed by Barb, and I finger shots for me and the wife on the pathetically inadequate little toy lever on the Andreja. The Pasquini is long gone and the Europiccola now resides in a neophyte's home in Ashland. The President is hidden in the Idaho mountains somewhere.

I can't remember the third problem either, but I remember the fourth through the fourteenth. The original site is still a disaster of epic proportions, the baby is awesome, but the cascade of unforeseen medical bills continues to accrue. At least the nurse to be is in her senior year and continues to ride herd atop her class.

The cobbled together team of tradesmen and professionals is held together with fraying twine. With a lot of hot air, bullsh**, duct tape and baling wire, I've managed to keep it all together and move on to another site, replete with a couple more investors and some high rolling neighbors.

As for the charm, it must have been lacking, the day I tried to talk you out of the Diamante. I guess my gab was operating at a more acute level when we discussed the President. Still confused as to why it's under your stairs instead of mine. That part of my plan did not come to fruition. I guess the 'finders keepers' rule doesn't apply. Maybe it just means I'll be pointing the FJ NE across the eastern Oregon barren lands toward Barb and Doug's lair. I'm good at plumbing so maybe I can help prevent a recurrence of the sh** volcano. But that's another story. And as much fun as espresso is, Leilani beats it hands down.


Oh, and if you talk to the wife on the phone, don't mention this:

Had to mix babysitting and chores somehow.

Leilani does top espresso by a mile! But like a great shot of espresso the flavors change over time and some parts of the fabulous experience become mere memories very quickly. You'll remember holding the tiny baby while she toddles around the house. And while she's off cruising around in your 4 wheel vehicle, you'll still be charmed by your memories of taking her for a turn on your ATV-stroller.

Give us an update about the two beauties in this post> I don't mean Doug and Clint. I mean Leilani and the Faema.

The Faema's still still in the lineup of unrestored machines at the Orphan lab in the Idaho mountains. I'm just hoping his hands are still too sliced up from messing with grinder burrs to get at the President.

Leilani's still going strong. Out of the carseat on the quad and onto my lap. The bungees were a hassle.



The cafe is stalled now, so working away on a non-espresso related project. Full restoration of a '72 CT70 HK1.

Gosh, you been holding out. This little princess of yours is beaut-ee--full!

OO

Thanks Cher. The little girl is pretty nice too

Clint Orchuk wrote:The Faema's still still in the lineup of unrestored machines at the Orphan lab in the Idaho mountains. I'm just hoping his hands are still too sliced up from messing with grinder burrs to get at the President.

Cute baby and ....beautiful President..
Welcome to FAEMA Empire

Joe

Give us an update about the two beauties in this post>

Beauties abound. Now they's three!

Thanks, Clint