In the past week or so, I've started work on my old Europiccola, which I've owned for 20 years, but neglected after it blew an element. After my Gaggia Classic started playing up, I pulled it out of the cupboard where it's languished and have resolved to get it going again.

A new element and seals are on the way (and, btw, thanks to those who've contributed info on the forum, so I've known to get the shorter bolts, and resettable thermoswitch, along with the new element). But the small rust patch it had on the base, 10 years ago, has grown and the base is perforated.

I do have a friend who repairs old bikes, including terrific restoration of their petrol tanks, and I reckon he can weld it, but it will always be vulnerable to more rust, and the cost is likely to near £50 - which is around the price of a new base from espressoservices.co.uk

Unfortunately, they only have the new style chrome bases in stock, which will also require a new plastic base plate etc and I'm not certain whether my mid 80s machine might need other new bits. I've googled pretty widely for the part number, 32408545, but haven't found anything. So I wondered, please, if anyone know of any suppliers who have the old style base, at more or less the price of the new one? TIA.

Forgive me please if I'm stating the obvious, but try Orphan Espresso, and keep your eye on this page:

http://www.orphanespresso.com/La-Pavoni-Europiccola-Professional-Junkyard_c_247.html

Good luck.

-phillip