SiD-
Congrats - Awesomw find! Love the look of the Caravel, though I've never had a shot from one...yet.

Hola from sunny La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. I have discovered your site and hope to learn much here. I am new to the lever world having just restored this Faema Urania monster I had sitting in my basement for years. An Italian guy from Omnipak in NYC brought it back to life for me for little over $2000k, but then told me he would never do it again for less than $5000k it was so much work. Here it is on the work bench.


The restoration took place in the middle of my move from NYC to Mexico. The machine didn't make it on the moving truck and had to be shipped separately after restoration was complete as it took longer than expected. The repairman said everyone was sad to see it leave the shop. The broker who cleared it through customs for me was awed by it. The day we finally got it connected...well, needless to say caffeine overload made us dance around the house like maniacs. I'm now trying to learn how to use this dang thing the best I can and am definitely interested in connecting with other folks who have restored similar machines.

I come to the coffee scene from a bartender rather than barista background. Constructing beautifully balanced classic cocktails is one thing. I'm finding this coffee world absolutely even more mind blowing, and my brain feels like it's about to explode from trying to learn so much at once. And when you bring the two together in something like the Pharmaceutical Stimulant, I am a happy, hyped up bar mixtress.

After feeling the power of pulling levers, how could I ever find joy in a digital machine or in one of those little pod things. I keep telling my friends that it's like restoring an old car and feeling like you are really moving some metal with no power steering. I barely understand the mechanics and all and am eager to learn, learn, learn.

Nobody needs a 3 group vintage Faema for home use, much less paired with a Super Jolly but we just may have to take over the town with this machine we are so elated. We named our home Casa Cóctel, but maybe we should reconsider with Casa Café.

Please welcome this neophyte to your fine clan as it gets lonely being probably the only lever owner in the whole town of La Paz.

That is one sweet machine. Wow, I'm impressed.

Congratulations and welcome.

I'm wondering if this is the same machine used in the "Fellini Move" movie?

Bienvenidos, LeNell!

Thanks for mentioning the Fellini Move. I just had to research what the hey that even is. Then I went to pull some levers. I did a full pull down for 10 seconds, let go about 1/4 way, then brought back down all the way and then let it go. BEST SHOT I'VE PULLED ON THIS YET!

Texican, I read somewhere that it's a Gaggia in the movie? But what do I know? I'm like some baby learning to walk...but wearing Manola Blahniks.

Hello LeNell,

that is really starting from the top - it is a wonderful machine you have there ...

But you are not alone in Mexico - this guy drives even 4 groups

Warm welcome from cold Germany

Emil

Congratulations to this jewel, Le Nell and welcome to the LMWDP!

Wow! That 4 group Mexican setup was wild. I couldn't keep up with all he had going on. He was leaving the lever down for over 20 seconds sometimes, and othertimes just doing a quick pump. Was trying to figure it all out. I must visit this place when I go to Mexico City. I think that's where this is.

It looked to me like the first quick pull on the second group was just for hot water to top up those drinks, but I could be mistaken. Later he did a full pull on the same group which ruined my theory that he saved one group just for water (though I don't know why he would do that). Maybe he was extracting something other then coffee in that group the first time for a specialty drink.

That Barista was sure busy back their doing all the work and then in the later videos in the series roasting the coffee too... he never stopped, and the fresh greens went into the roaster as the last batch hit the cooling tray.

Thanks for sharing that video.

Hello, fellow lever heads! I'm Theron...and I'm addicted to home espresso. To say that I'm an enthusiast is putting it mildly. I can tell you all about my journey in home espresso and equipment (some of it embarrassing), but at heart I've always been a lever head...I just didn't know it. From near the beginning, I used an older pre-millenium La Pavoni I bought off the Internet. Since then, I've tinkered with millenium La Pavoni's, Gaggia Baby Twin, Rancilio Silvia, F!F!, Ascaso i-mini, Rancilio Rocky, Baratza Vario, even a brief foray into the world of single serve espresso (banish the thought, right?). Well, I've come back full circle and have a set up that I am absolutely ecstatic about...80's model Olympia Cremina 67 and Baratza Vario. The Cremina is in perfect working order, but is a work in progress, as there is a great deal of maintenance I have planned to restore it to its previous splendor. Thank you La Pavoni for everything you taught me...and believe me when I say, I learned more from my La Pavonis than any other machines has ever taught me. Thanks!

Just lovely...
First thing, you had it in the basement for years? Wow, imagine all the shots you missed out on. Welcome to HB. We will enjoy your shots by proxy.

Welcome to the Lever Machine World Domination Plot, Sherman, I'm sure you'll find that your finger will enjoy the break from repetitive button pushing syndrome, but you may find your right arm becomes more developed then your left now.