peacecup wrote:Mitch, is the boiler on your CA real copper is it Sears copper (is that a Real poncho?)? That is, I read somewhere that the boiler was faux copper, made of something else and colored. Mine appears to be discolored in the photo, and I was wondering if it would clean up nicely or not. BTW, I had a look at your website - really fantastic!

PC

Hi PC,

The copper on the CA I have is a very different color than the copper of my La Pavoni Ambassador. I would think it is probably some kind of metal plated with copper. Hope your plating is still there because it is quite nice polished up.

I decided to begin restoring it again. I even got the old thermostat to work and now I can confidently say that this machine was probably a market failure because of a) lousy thermostat and b) no site glass.

I think maybe I could calibrate the thermostat if i would attach a pressure gauge to the steam wand and then set the thermostat to cut power to the element at around 1bar. for steam you just move the thermostat switch to the left and the contact is made again to bring the temp/pressure in the boiler a bit higher.

I also put the old gaskets on my messed up piston head but was missing one (the double side flange one) and forget the orientation of the gaskets so when you get the machine, I would love to see the orientation of the gaskets on the piston head.

All in all, this is a pretty nice looking machine and with a bit of work I think we will have a couple of pretty cool Spring lever machines.

All the best,

And wait till you see the suction cups on the base of the CA. pretty funny.

Ps, whats the etiquette on two restorations at the same time. Do I post on my old thread or post here. What to do?

Hello Mitch,

I was afraid that the boiler is plated - there appears to be some flakes off it in the photo of mine above. Do you suppose its brass, steel, or aluminum? Have you had a look inside yours, either through the top with a flashlight or through the bottom?

I've read elsewhere that the thermostats are not too reliable. Seems like it might be possible to retrofit one - for example the Saeco pump machines have thermostats that read off the outside of the boiler - maybe these would work. A simple and safe way to work around it is to just heat it up with the cap off - when the water boils simply close the lid and brew right away, then turn it off and let of stream.

I'll be happy to get some photos of the piston seals when I get it. I'm sure I'll need to have a look at it anyway - if I remember aright, yours was aluminum. Sure would be nice to have brass there too.

Thanks for the info,

PC

Peace PC

I found an inexpensive pressurestat set at 15psi. open or closed.

Do you think this might work? Drill a hole in the bottom of the boiler to install it.

I will check concerning the aluminum today, but I think the boiler is steel.

Makes sense because it is quite hard to plate aluminum.

Here is a link for the pressure switch. I am not sure of the dimensions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBBS-PRESSUR...rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I figure install it, wait for the switch to turn the light off, brew, and then override the switch for steam if needed.

Mitch,

The Ponte Vecchio uses a Mater adjustable Pstat, which seems fairly reliable. Here's a photo:




I'll need to look up the model number, but here is a Mater on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MATER-M-A-T-E...WD1VQQcmdZViewItem

These might be worth a try as well.

Initially I'll try it the way it is, then see if I need to upgrade.

I have heard that the boiler is made of "spun" metal - would that be steel? Is it magnetic?

Thanks for the help

PC

peacecup wrote:Mitch,



I have heard that the boiler is made of "spun" metal - would that be steel? Is it magnetic?

Thanks for the help

PC

Hi Peacecup,

I put a rare earth magnet against the outside of the boiler and it did not stick. the fill hole is very small so I could not look inside.

Thanks for the link to the Mater pressurestat. Looks like the one I will get if I can find it in Canada.

Still waiting to see if I can find some gaskets before I get a pressurestat.

Hello anyone had any luck with gaskets or portafilters for the CA?

PC

You might PM Richard - Espressme- I can't remember if his machine is the same as yours...Enrico , Amore.... I am lost- going back to sleep

mogogear wrote:You might PM Richard - Espressme- I can't remember if his machine is the same as yours...Enrico , Amore.... I am lost- going back to sleep

I don't know for sure, But I can suggest "Wrights Copper Cream" as the best long lasting mild copper cleaner/polish that I have found. Let me know if you cant find a gasket. I may have a source to cut one from. Also, here's a fix for really cruddy and shallow pitted Piston Cylinders. If badly pitted, have it tin plated after the hone job.
A fine grit brake cylinder hone in a 3/8th's drill motor at a slow speed and stroke it along the bore slowly: Use with Cafix® or equivalent to clean and polish the bore.


From the Enrico rebuild, not yet threaded but working!
Go to the Amore thread and check bobpaule's posts, he found the original thermostat for them.
Email me if I may be of service, I have a baby machine shop in the basement.
sincerely
richard

I've just become an owner of a Cappuccino Amore that is missing its filter basket. Now I need to join the LMWDP.

So... does anyone know which filter basket fits the CA portafilter? I'm hoping I've got some options.

Thanks!

Matt

i too have just finished my CA, and all that is missing is a basket...anyone...ideas of different brands that may work, it looks like a 56mm flat rim is what will fit as my 58 from my DB machine was too big, and a spare 57mm was just a bit big still, but close. thanks...rats, now i am not a lurker anymore....oh well....here is a pic of it, now i need a basket so i can play!!!