yakster wrote:Unfortunately, the second shot didn't turn out as well. I had a failure, not sure that this is a viable solution, more testing is in order.

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So close but still awesome you tried.

spiffy wrote:If you are able to provide some photos and measurements, I can model it and look into the feasibility of having a small batch made (and maybe have the knock box fabricated at the same time?). The cost shouldn't be any more than the Richard Penney ones for the Cremina.

I'm going to first try grinding or filing the lugs so that they slope the right way (or at least are level) and see how well this one will work, but it's questionable because it looks like the ears may not be quite long enough for a secure fit. If not, I'll take some measurements. One thing with the Faemina is that there's two different portafilter types, as seen on the Oprhan Espresso Faemina Model Comparison here. I have the type with the lugs at right angles to the handle with the one piece body while the earlier ones have a removable spout and the ears at a different position so one handle would likely rest at a different position when locked in on different models.

Marcelnl wrote:Very interesting! Your crema looks a lot better than what I'm usually getting, is that always so or because of the bottomless PF, or due to the tower of cups ?

The tower of cups is something I tried yesterday just because of the added clearance of the bottomless portafilter, but IIRC I've always gotten pretty good crema from this machine. I overdosed the first shot with 16 grams because it'd been so long since I'd used the Faemina that I was still looking for a good starting point. I recently downloaded an app for my iPhone called Perfect Shot to help me track this, but haven't used it much. I noticed that the lowest dose you can record is 10 grams, that won't work for my La Peppina singles.

I'll update the thread with my results.

doubleOsoul wrote:Great idea Spiffy. There are enough of us where it would warrant a small batch - shoot there's a little group of owners here in Canada alone. I would be looking for 2 to outfit both my Faminas. By the way, good luck on snagging one and soon.

Thanks - keeping my fingers crossed and ebay.it refreshed!

yakster wrote:One thing with the Faemina is that there's two different portafilter types.

Thanks for the link and photos. I don't imagine the positioning of the ears being a big problem because if I go with a two piece design, I can just have the hole for the handle drilled in different positions relative to the ears, or I can just live with a crooked handle.

If without welding or brazing gear, a good fix might be to create brass add-on tabs for the ears of the right size and shape, drill and thread them for recessed screws that will lock them in place and also secure them with JB Weld. After that is cured you can grind the ears to the appropriate size and shape. It wouldn't look pretty outside the machine, but it would bring some of these great Faeminas back to life.

Thanks Yakster, I thought so....well I'm happy as it is but some additional,crema never hurts...on with the journey it is

Let me check with Gabor how far he is, he mentioned early this year and that is certainly behind us...

More testing, more failing. Filed the ears but they're just not wide enough to stay safely in the group.

Hi there,

Yes, Marcel and some other Faemina owners longing for a naked portafilter contacted me earlier. For obvious reasons I offer NPFs only for levers I own myself but I was quite optimistic being able making a raw version because I was promised to get a damaged boiler/group for testing. I received the boiler without shover screen and weared seals, no portafilter of course. Things got even nastier as I learned that there are two versions of portafilters with lugs in different positions. That is too much risk to work with and send a $100 NPF oversee. I haven't given up though to buy a Faemina in working condition because I like the design a lot. Summing up I'd be happy if someone could offer you a solution earlier than me because life without a naked portafilter is much more heavier than a lever enthusiast could bear for months . There is a real chance that I purchase once a Faemina and to avoid suicide I will be forced to make a naked portafilter for it. But don't wait for me pls! As I see yakster's heroic efforts I'm quite positive about the first .

Kind regards

Gábor