To answer myself from a previous post, the Cremina's double basket is a couple of mm deeper than the Pavoni's. The Cremina basket has a higher lip than the Pavoni, and although it will fit in the Pavoni handle, the handle can't be locked into the head without forcing it.

On a side note, the machine I got for $400 is in fantastic shape, and actually works pretty well despite 31 year old seals and gaskets. No wearthrough on the chrome ears of the filter handle, zero rust, everything seems to work, I pulled a couple of shots and they were fine. Looks to have been used very lightly.

It has much greater feeling of solidity and quality than the Pavoni-I've had some chrome peeling from the head of the Pavoni, and the 4-bolt head-boiler setup on the Cremina is way more secure than the 2-bolt Pavoni. No base flex on the Cremina either. Wish I would have known about these sooner!

It's got the original manual as well as a Zabar's sheet on use of the machine. All the plasticware-knockbox, funnel, tamper, etc were included, and although I'll never use them they're nice to have.

One weird thing is the serial # label-it lists the voltage as 220, but looks like there might be a 1 stamped over the first 2 of 220. Since it was a Zabar's machine, it had to be set up for US voltage.

Another question for those of you who have the machines-I've been using it with the top and side/back cover removed to check for leaks, etc and noticed there's a bit of seepage at times from the pressure relief valve over the top of the sight glass-is this normal? Does adjusting the screw on the assembly at the base of the boiler-the one that has the tube from the pressure relief valve leading to it-affect this? This adjusting mechanism on my machine is actually a knurled knob with a ± arrow indicator on it, which is different from some of the photos I've seen posted here and also different from the 67 tech diagram on the Oly website, both of which show a brass slot head screw.

I've got a complete seal set as well as an extra double basket on the way from Suisse, so replacement of all things organic will be done when I get it. No need to rechrome, that and the SS just needs cleaning and polishing. I'll probably become a Cremina clone and powdercoat the paintwork, and possibly get some of the Thor woodwork as well, if it's not too expensive.

So far, very happy with the machine.

Rod

Hi Rod. La Pavoni and an Olympia...like that combination. I am starting a new post tonight on differences in the machines, please join in. Now to your questions:

The safety valve should not leak or show water. If you look on my rebuild post I show it taken apart. The silicon plug at the bottom is probably what needs replacing and you will get that with your rebuild kit. That valve is adjustable and you can tighten the spring inside. Send me a pic if you need any help.

Take a look at the overheat switch on the bottom of the boiler and see what voltage that has on it. Look at the ready light, switch and pressurestat electronics and as long as all the numbers match, then you are OK.

Good luck on the clean-up and new gaskets...good way to learn the machine.

Thanks Steve-

With a few pulls under its belt, the 31 year old gaskets seem to be softening up a bit and the leaking has stopped. I'll still replace everything when the gasket kit arrives, but meanwhile I'm liking this machine way better than the Pavoni. It's great.

Plus I can get a little more out of it since the basket is bigger!

I have >3 years daily use on the Pavoni, and I'll be happy to add my 2 cents if you start a thread.

I think the Oly will come out on top.

Rod

RCMann wrote:
...

Another question for those of you who have the machines-I've been using it with the top and side/back cover removed to check for leaks, etc and noticed there's a bit of seepage at times from the pressure relief valve over the top of the sight glass-is this normal? Does adjusting the screw on the assembly at the base of the boiler-the one that has the tube from the pressure relief valve leading to it-affect this? This adjusting mechanism on my machine is actually a knurled knob with a ± arrow indicator on it, which is different from some of the photos I've seen posted here and also different from the 67 tech diagram on the Oly website, both of which show a brass slot head screw.

I've got a complete seal set as well as an extra double basket on the way from Suisse, so replacement of all things organic will be done when I get it. No need to rechrome, that and the SS just needs cleaning and polishing. I'll probably become a Cremina clone and powdercoat the paintwork, and possibly get some of the Thor woodwork as well, if it's not too expensive.

So far, very happy with the machine.

Rod

Welcome, fellow Creminaut.

I've never messed with the insides of my machine, but I've never had any leaking anywhere in my 20 plus years with the machine. Sounds like you've already got some good advice on how to eliminate the problem.

It's possible that the gaskets are not original. Zabar's used to service the machines. You'd drop off your Cremina when it got too difficult to raise the lever, or to lock in the portafilter, and pick it up a week later, good as new. So your machine may have some newer parts than the original. Mine has new heater, electrical system, thermostats, and who knows what else. thanks to expert servicing at 1st-Line.

Steve has set a high bar for Cremina appearance on this forum. The only customizing I've done on mine was replacing the bakelite and plastic parts for Thor Striped New Guinea Ebony knobs and handles. Nothing else planned. After all, I worked real hard over the years to put all those scratches and dings into the machine; why work even harder to remove them? (Rationalization? Envy? Nyah!)

Welcome, fellow Creminaut.

Hah! I love it! I would not have appreciated "Creminaut" a month ago, but now that I have one, I understand. And I blame (or thank) HB for my obsession.
d

Great avatar Danno.

srobinson wrote:Great avatar Danno.

Why thanks, Steve. But I must insist, your avatar is better than mine.
d