Hmmm.

I'll make this to the point.

early exposure:
2nd wave hangout in '93 to '95 called Dreaded Bulldog in Oklahoma City. Name was merged from The Dreadlock and The Bulldog, both cafes in The Netherlands.

move to LA
brew Bialetti faux stuff on the stove, then FP

managed a shop that used Intelly's stuff (we re-branded)

interview with Marcus Boni at Intelly's first shop in LA (Silverlake)
(I think I asked for too much money)

attended SCAA '07 in Longbeach

went to Groundwork in Hollywood (shortly post-Eton Tsuno and Ric Rhinehart) (and the shop at 2nd and Main downtown)

got a whole bunch of knowledge and experience (and coffee gadgets)

and, finally, got an Arrarex Caravel! love the lever, will never buy a pump!

defining feature of 4th wave? commercial levers!

Lever Late Than Ever!

OK. So to while away my all too scarce time I've continued to browse eBay and Craigslist for bargain espresso machines when too brain dead to think of anything else. And despite still trying to sell our house and move, I've thought I'll live a little and try to arrange my visit with Chris Cara. I should have a Pavoni to play with, right? I'd also thought yesterday morning that it would be nice to have a second grinder for my wife's decaf lattes, and I've been wanting a knock box for my home setup for awhile. I thought to myself, "I'm ready for a bargain," just before going on Craigslist last night, where I found this collection of gear newly posted and priced for less than the cost of a no-name, average tamper!

The seller knew he was offering a great deal but needed to clear his counter to stage his house for sale the next day. He just wanted me to pick it up that night. I gladly obliged, and at that price, I didn't ask to see the machine working. It's worth more than what I paid as a parts machine. I mean, the gear accompanying it is worth more than what I paid! Although he didn't throw in any Ginza knives, it even has a single basket for pods and a tamper that fits that! The grinder appears to be a Bodum Antigua bought four years ago and used at home, and I don't know if it's sufficient for making decent espresso. If not, I'll sell it online and apply the proceeds toward another Le'Lit PL53 after we move.



He also told me the machine works just fine (it does) and was bought six years ago. The steam wand drips at the top, so it may need a new gasket, and there's rust under the drip tray. He reiterated the rust under the drip tray. I said that's okay, as long as it works. My thought is to use a solvent to dissolve the rust enough to be able to remove the screw, then use a Dremel-like tool to clean off the rust and apply RustOleum. There's still firm metal underneath.



Thanks to TUS172 (Bob C) for instructions La Pavoni Europiccola instructions... for newbies that helped me overcome the pressure start-up issues and avoid a portafilter sneeze ... so far! Edit: It took just 6 attempts to get the grind and tamp right for a decent shot. Now it's a matter of fine tuning. This has been much easier than expected. It also helped to see a video of someone using one of these and holding the pf handle and the lever simultaneously to stabilize it.

May I have my LMDWP number, please?

SUCH A DEAL!!! Congratulations, Gary. I think you will find that little machine to be lots of fun to play with!

I am another newbie that has fallen under the spell of manual lever machines. When my poor excuse of a pump machine decided it had had enough, so had I. As I looked for it's replacement, I fell in love with the idea of actually being involved in making my morning treat. Needless to say, after the machine arrived, I soon discovered that the old grinder had to go or I would never pull a decent shot. The grinder arrived this week so the learning curve can now begin to rise. Please issue a number to me as I to have become addicted to being part of the coffee making process, though not yet in control.

Post number 1 -- Welcome from newbie to newbie! I've found this site's participants so helpful my espresso has improved, I've spent way too much money on some lovely equipment, and my wife thinks I've gone off the deep end but loves her "fluffy coffee" on weekends. The experts here and their feature writing also demonstrate that there's so much yet to know!

Hi,

I'm new to the espresso world. I choose the hard way: my first machine is a Zerowatt manual lever. You can see it here, it's from mgy.
After two month I'm satisfied with my results, but there's many questions to answer, and many cups to taste...

Be careful, the lever world is very addictive. My first post and machine were on 8/25/2010. the machine was a La Pavoni. I recieved an Olympia Cremina last night,9/15/2010, that I bought from " Texican". I have to say, that I was immediately more comfortable with the probable condition of the machine when I spoke to Steve and learned that he was a HB'er. The Cremina had been partially disambled and very well wrapped and protected when it arrived. It's travels from Texas to North Carolina had gone smoothly. Just another example of the kind of persons that inhabit HB.

PS: the first shots this morning were OK: I need to do a better job, the Cremina is better than I am at present, and maybe for some time to come. Now I want to try a spring lever.

flopshot1016 wrote:Be careful, the lever world is very addictive.

Yes. Very much +1 on this.
I think it is worth to remember that the objective is the coffee. For me it is sanity check. Do I drill over another machine, another grinder or am I happy with the drink, with what I have, appreciating the amazing gifts of so many people.
Not to offend those all more equipment-related, I appreciate you very very much too!! only that's my personal take on our hobby...

Hello everyone,

I have been reading here for a while now and finally got the opportunity to try out a lever machine. I saw a Gaggia Factory 16 (aka La Pavoni Pro) on Whole Latte Love for sale and couldn't pass it up.

So far, I am REALLY Liking it! I am learning slowly, having had a few shots that were quite good, as well as my share of sink shots and everything in between! But there is just something about hand grinding and hand pulling my espresso that just is so satisfying! (I read on this forum about a rubberised shelf liner to keep the machine in place, and it works SO well)

And one final picture of Ms. Gaggia next to Oscar. I think it is fair to say that Oscar is a little bit outclassed

Looking forward to my journey on the path towards Lever Nirvana!

Scott