Custom lever espresso machine on Lee Valley cover

#1: Post by **kowalej** » May 27th, 2014, 3:18 pm

Saw this on the cover of the June Lee Valley catalog. It's a custom built lever machine with some fabulous wood work and brass. The description from the catalog is as follows:

Created by Richard Plouffe of Pierrefonds, Quebec, this fully functional espresso machine is made from reclaimed parts such as brass fire-hose nozzles.

#2: Post by **SpaceTime** » May 27th, 2014, 3:26 pm

Being a woodworker and longtime Lee Valley customer - that is too cool! I had no idea!

I have not received my June catalog yet - thanks for the heads up!!

#3: Post by **yakster** » May 27th, 2014, 4:37 pm

A real, functional work of art there.

#4: Post by **doubleOsoul** » May 27th, 2014, 4:46 pm

Whoa man... that is a trip!

#5: Post by **TomC** » May 27th, 2014, 6:03 pm

That's gorgeous. I'd love to see more of it.

#6: Post by **drgary** » May 27th, 2014, 6:16 pm

Looks great, but I hope the reclaimed brass is lead-free.

#7: Post by **drgary** » May 27th, 2014, 6:26 pm

I see one feature that makes this look like a work of art and not really functional. It is a beautiful work of art though. How long will the decorative wood last on a heated and sometimes wet group? Also check out the size of the drip grate. The only smaller one I've seen is the lack of a drip grate on my early Europiccola that's identical to a Caferina.

#8: Post by **doubleOsoul** » May 27th, 2014, 6:27 pm

Good point about the lead. I contacted Lee Valley and they are forwarding my contact info to the designer. Hey, I'm curious...

#9: Post by **sweaner** » May 27th, 2014, 8:34 pm

Our brains are as developed as they will get, so a bit of lead can't hurt...too much.

May 28th, 2014, 12:59 am