I am just getting started in this and have an older Europiccola that was bestowed upon me. It was broken when I got it, but I have it working now and pulling some decent shots. Wondering where in the bay area i might be able to get the copper and brass re plated? Also I am in need of a better grinder but as I just graduated from college and moved to San Francisco I am on a budget. Any suggestions? Also anyone have a cremina for sale? The guy who gave me the pavoni has commissioned me to find him a cremina.

Thanks!

For grinder - try a manual zassenhaus or trosser, used on that fabulous online swap meet.

For cremina - There is a sticky in the lever forums about KarlSchneider having one for sale. Don't know what your expectations are but Cremina's are a hard find.

Ciao William,

You might try calling Thomas Cara, Ltd. -- they fix Pavonis and might know a plater in the area. (415) 781-0383.

Buona fortuna,
Wayne

I should know the answer to this since I am a La Pavoni owner. But I myself am curious if the thick coating on the machine carries the brass or copper coloring, or is it strictly a clear coating over real brass and copper.

My Riviera, for example, looked terrible. Discolored, uneven colors and flakes. A quick session with paint remover got me down to bare metal. Which then was easy to polish to a brilliant shine. Some care was necessary on the base where the brass seemed to be a thin plated finish over a lighter metal. My Conti was easy, since it was clearly made of solid brass, and easy to polish. And by the way, both these machines hold their shines for months, even without a new clear coat.

In any event, if you are at the stage you are thinking of replating, why not try stripping the clear coat and see what the base metal and plating is like?

Input from other brass/copper espresso owners?