h00ktern wrote:LMWDP #001 srobinson

LMWDP #049 peacecup
LMWDP #050 Skipito
LMWDP #051 FREE
LMWDP #052 FREE Vienna would like to be here - my BirthYear
LMWDP #053 FREE

I will confer with HB regarding possible re-assignments of the unknown "?" - perhaps giving priority to those with earlier posts.

Fair enough?

As somewhere in the thread it was stated that the number is a Self-Service pool I politely would claim 52, my birthyear.
If anyone has anything against it she/he may speak up now or be quiet for all future. (Isn't that the formula?)

Regards from Vienna

Alchemist wrote:So, I see the next available number is LMWDP #051, but I also note #013 is unclaimed. Could I have that one if I ask nicely?

Vienna wrote:As somewhere in the thread it was stated that the number is a Self-Service pool I politely would claim 52, my birthyear.

I've added you to the official list as you requested.

I won't post a picture of my Europiccola because you've all seen them by now. They're absolutely gorgeous and my Lux grinder is a nice compliment on my kitchen counter. I got into the lever machines because I was tired of choking pump machines. I found myself really craving control over that important part of the process. I doubt I'll ever go back to a pump. It's too much fun to feel the shot being pulled...

I assume my number can be LMWDP #051?

To join this LMWDP, here's the short story of my passion for lever operated espresso machines and other mechanical gear...

At the age of three, I started to work on mechanical things, toys, old clocks etc., first in a deconstructive, later in a reconstructive way. At the age of 18, I discovered my passion for older cars and motorcycles, I repaired/ rebuilded old Peugeot cabriolets and BMW motorcycles.

Around 1990 I spent much time with a good friend, who played piano at bars, clubs and restaurants, I was responsible for his equipment, the amplifiers, the sound...One day, he played at a pizzeria, where my attention was drawn by an old, single group, lever operated Gaggia espresso machine from the mid seventies, still in use. I asked the owner and he told me, that the machine was to replace the next days through a newer one with higher performance. After a few moments, he offered me this old piece of junk for free!!! and thats were it all started...

I turned from a coffee drinker to an espresso lover, combining this with the ongoing passion for old mechanical/ technical gear. Two years later, I found an old Conti lever machine at a flea market for a very low price, at this time, nobody was interested in such heavy, complicated and ugly pieces. 10 years ago, I purchased a Faema Urania im my area, but I reselled this one for a Faema President a late model in the E 61 housing, in my opinion one of the most attractive, beautiful designed espresso machines of the sixties. So today, I operate this single group Faema President together with a Quickmill grinder from the mid- sixties, I found this grinder weeks ago, waiting for me, forgotten for about 20 years, sitting in the storage room of an old La Cimbali dealer. The Quickmill grinder replaced a Francesconi T 80 grinder, a powerful tool, but not very matching the President...

With the ongoing espresso passion, I sold my last Peugeot cabriolet and bought an old Alfa Romeo Spider, a car like an espresso, short, quick, extracted under pressure...

Together with the espresso passion, I collect and restore old jukeboxes since about 15 years, on of my favorites is my AMI Continental 2, a space age designed box, who matches the Faema President perfectly...To close the circle (does this image exist in your language?) I sold my BMW R 100 S motorcycle and rebuild an old Harley Davidson, not the italian way to drive, but close to my passion for american jukeboxes...

The best of all is, that my girlfriend shares the espresso passion...She drinks only espressos and can't believe, that I prepare cappuccinos from time to time. When the President is switched on and heated, we have a little competition everytime, she believes, that she extracts the better shots...

So, I hope I'm qualified for your club...

Regards

Michael

Michael, you are in and in good company. I think you will find quite a few gearheads here with the leversheads on this board. I need to start a car thread so guys can show off some of the rides that are out there.

Welcome aboard.

Hi Steve,

I'm glad that here are some other gearheads around, I hope my english is sufficient, yes, please open a thread concerning cars...Can You explain me how I can post a picture of the Faema President and the Quickmill grinder?

Thanks and best regards

Michael

Most of us simply use free image hosting from Photobucket.com. Put your pics there and then copy the image tags in your post (instructions). Post a pic of that Toaster Tank while you are at it.

I'm out to get some respect for the Presso . . .

Alright, it was made in China, not in the Alps. It came from a British design firm, not a company steeped in the fine tradition of Italian espresso making.

But it's a Gen-u-wine Bona-fide Lever(s) Machine!



Out of the box, with no modifications, the Presso can produce such an "Internet-Quality" espresso. No robusta!

With that I humbly submit my application for the LMWDP.

Henry

ps. I ride a Flying Pigeon, also a British design made in China.

Well, sign me up for a LMWDP number!

My lever journey began slightly over a year ago. Last Christmas my wonderful wife presented me with a brass la Pavonii Europiccola. What a beautiful machine. Like many, I was initially overwhelmed by this beauty (and the machine too!) Several experiments over the months gave me some foundation. I soon burned up the lousey Braun grinder I had and decided to go "Manual" buying a Zassenhaus grinder



This is a wonderful grinder and does a great job. My only criticism is the speed. It can take a while to grind enough for my usual 2 shots. But that's a pretty small compaint.

Now to the coffee. My wife's daughter and her husband have a small coffee roasting company so we have a steady supply of amazingly well roasted coffee. I've been experimenting recently blending my own and have come up with something that brews consistently outstanding espresso.

Greeting to all the other Ohio members. Our numbers are growing and I am very happy to join the ranks.

Ken

For starters, Hello!

I'll gladly take the next available number, if that gig is still going on.. What the heck.

As for me? Well, I've been a coffee drinker forever. Been a Starbucks frequenter for a long time... Have had a Krups espresso maker and Estro Burr grinder in my office/cube for quite a long time.

This holiday season my fiancee gave me a La Pavoni Professional (Yes, she really is a good girl!).

And, as you could guess, I found this place looking for all the help I can get.

So after this short intro, I'm off to search, and hopefully find some tip that'll help me in my pursuit of much better espresso, and the all ellusive Crema.

Again, Hello all!

-b