orphanespresso wrote:I am wagering that this boiler has always been just as you see it and it is not a blow to the head....such an event would have likely also cracked the boiler knob at a minimum or even bent the top cover.

The wisdom of experience ...

orphanespresso wrote: ... and thought I was having flashbacks or something until finally Barb saw him and he became real.

... or Mescalito?

Truly good call, Doug.

Feral Pomerainian? Better be careful with that beast..... looks dangerous... I am glad Shorty didn't become coyote food. I will take your wager, at least I like that you think that it was a manufacturing blem. The donut is very even. The asbestos covering was not cracked, nor was the top cap to the boiler...... so I got that going for me.... The boiler cap seemed to make contact with the old crusty flat gasket when I first took apart the machine. I can't wait to get the order you shipped yesterday! In the meantime, I am cleaning up parts and getting them all ready for the re-assembly...... This weekend I hope to make the portafilter handle and lever handle.

Gary, I didn't take any pictures on the arrival of the box. I was so excited when the machine arrived, I opened the box in the parking lot of the Post Office. When I opened the box and lifted the machine out and took the top cover off, I couldn't tell anything. I could only see this donut dimple once I removed the "drywall mud".

Thanks for all the observations and advices......

My 1974/75(boiler element stamped 1974, machine badge starts with 75) Cremina rebuilt and waiting for my drip tray and tray grid to get ordered, but the ceramic plate is working fine. I have made a handle for the lever, I just forgot to take a picture of it. And right now, my Cremina is filling in at my Dad's because I am doing a rebuild on his '83 Pavoni Pro for his Xmas present.



In this picture you can see the boiler cap is a little off plumb, no doubt due to the Gorillas who shipped her on her head!! Still works great though.

With cape to hide scratches

I love this machine!! I am using it more than my Vetrano at the moment. The Vetrano seems sorta' Autopilot for me right now. It is nice to be able to "feel" the water passing through the coffee, as I pull down on the lever......

I have been using the single basket (Elektra single) and dosing it about 11 grams and leaving 3-5 mm head space, and producing some excellent shots with the occasional God-shot thrown in now an then........just to keep me wondering and enthusiastic.

Really a great espresso making tool. Right now though I am sure she is crying at my Dad's house, because he is not using her I just found out. He is really slowing down with physical problems, and it is hard for him to make coffee. I have had my neice (beginning H-B er) go over to my Dad's an make him some good coffee. But right now I really miss her, (my Cremina), and I can hear her calling out for me to come and pick her up......
Soon sweetie, soon.

Anyway, I just wanted to send a thanks out to everyone and all the input, advice, and technical help I receive through this website! The OE Video series is Awesome!! Thank-you! I could not have done it without everyones help!

I guess now I just need to put my colour blind glasses away and start playing around with mixing paint to do some touch up on that back panel....... I might re powdercoat sometime in the future, but for now I kinda like the Cal-trans industrial orange.......it is almost the same colour as my Dad's Pavoni base. Might have to paint the kitchen to match.... ha, ha........

Next up is a refurb on a CMA/Astoria Lever single group, branded, "Mr Espresso" circa 1994. Not really an oldie, but it looks like a goodie...... Not too much scale. Definitely not the scope of refurb that Whale is currently performing on his CMA Fiore.

Happy New Year to everyone!! May 2012 be a very good year for you all and I wish all your extractions to be smooth and honey like!!

Really none of my business but considering;

claypriley wrote:I love this machine!! I am using it more than my Vetrano at the moment. The Vetrano seems sorta' Autopilot for me right now.

plus

claypriley wrote:I am sure she is crying at my Dad's house, because he is not using her I just found out. He is really slowing down with physical problems, and it is hard for him to make coffee.

Shouldn't you give the Vetrano to your Dad and bring the Cremina home?

claypriley wrote:Next up is a refurb on a CMA/Astoria Lever single group, branded, "Mr Espresso" circa 1994. Not really an oldie, but it looks like a goodie...... Not too much scale. Definitely not the scope of refurb that Whale is currently performing on his CMA Fiore.

Not that I consider myself an expert in any way, shape or form, but feel free to ask if you need anything.
Happy new year to everyone.

Yeah, I should probably let him use the Vetrano...... but you know, he called me today to let me know that after a frustrating day on the Cremina, he took a day off, got some rest and he was back on it, giving it a go.......and he was calling me to talk technique..... and said he had a few good pulls. I know he just gets really knackered when there is a lot of people around, i.e. visiting family at the holiday season...... Anyway, I think he still has a few pulls left in him..... it is giving him a reason to get out of bed in the morning.... "to try again....." It is definitely a physical therapy exercise for his worn out body, and since he is mostly wheelchair bound, I figure anything is good as long as it is getting him to move around. (Basically he is fading away with congestive heart failure, diabetes, neuropathy, multiple open heart surgeries, etc...... plus all the fun that comes with being a "Big Dog" 6'7" tall, and getting old fast. He's only 78, I say only, because I have a neighbor that is the same age and is out working on his property everyday, but he is 5'8" and makes his own red wine.) Classic case of if you don't move it, you could lose it.......

I probably will let him use a semi-auto machine when the time comes, maybe old Miss Silvia...... but I don't really want to leave a machine around when he gets caregivers full time........ not unless one of them is a H-B/caregiver........

Thanks Whale, Merci........ I am sure I will have some questions for you when I start the tear down..... So far I pulled the black painted Aluminum Domo and stripped it with some Jasco paint remover, and I have started to sand it to shiny....(yeah, I know, superficial.....but I wanted to take something apart) I definitely want to get the group head exposed from all that bulkhead shrouding safety stainless steel......... I will switch to your thread with questions or to Flint/Chert's or Clint's threads of their refurb jobs of their 2 group Astorias. Great reading all three projects! Good luck with your project!

Clay,

What a nice way to end the year, and thank you for your moving account of how you share your espresso hobby with your father in the larger context of caring for him as he copes with declining health. May he continue to find enjoyment with your vintage Cremina and best wishes to you both for the new year.

Sorry to have stirred it up.
I know what you mean about giving your parents some exercise. I had planned on moving the washing/drying machine on the main floor at my mother but when I considered that it was just about the only significant exercise left in her daily routine I decided to leave it downstairs for a little while longer.
As you wrote; move it or loose it!
A very happy and fruitful new year to all.

Hey Whale, no worries........ no stirring necessary..... I will drink it straight if its a good shot.....Way to make your Mom move doing the laundry! And Dr. G, thanks for the input. Always good to hear from you. I posted on the get-together in the Bay Area if it is still going for Feb. 11th.....I will PM you.

Well it is a beautiful sunny New Year's Day here in Tahoe, record highs expected!! Where is Winter?

Also, looking for a good Cafe in Anaheim, CA......... I posted on the Cafe's forum...


So my Cremina has taught me a few thing about pre-infusion....... I have been trying long(10 seconds) pre-infusions with the Vetrano, and grinding fine as if for the Cremina, with little tamping...... Wow!!! it's a whole new year to experiment with extractions!! Never stop learning!