mogogear wrote:So the knob is taking shape....

A bit more work on the lobes of the knob and it will be there- Several coats of Walnut stain evens the ebony out also

There we go! So here are the handles after some stain and some wax snip...

Hi Greg, there was no stain used, that color is the actual color of the wood after rubbing in many coats of honey colored walnut oil as a finish ( food safe)

All this for a cup we sip twice and quaff....and ...smile, when we do it all just right.....

The satisfied expression after is kinda nice too!

Greg, thank you for the paean to hand crafted individualization by persons who care!
sincerely
richard /espressme

Handsome work, Richard. Again, making the difficult look effortless. Classic.
Regards
Timo

espressme wrote:The satisfied expression after is kinda nice too!

Greg, thank you for the paean to hand crafted individualization by persons who care!
sincerely
richard /espressme

I edited my comments with regards to the Walnut oil- I should be as accurate as you- that is the least I can do

Beautiful work! This goes beyond restoration, you're creating a piece of art.

Mogogear said, So here is a piece of paper that show the way after I shared my ideas on what I wanted. One of the first machines that ever caught my eye was a Faema Faemina and one of Paul's pretty machines, such lovely old levers. If I could have figured how to swing a stirrup style ....that is another dream after seeing Latte Jed's Conti...

Hi Greg,
That's the idea behind custom / individualized. You have the idea and someone makes the accessory to individualize it! Not cheap but anything can be accomplished with a dream and a shop/s. A stirrup handle for a "Whoesever lever Machine" Sirtainly!
I await final photos!
sincerely
richard / espressme

beautiful handles. look very close to old gaggia ones (though they are retained by a large bolt at the tip). I have found your pics quite inspiring. With the exception of faema, it is impossible to get old knobs and handles. I might try and replicate your efforts one of these days.

Greg,
So how were the stainless tubes 'set' into the handles?
Your project has been inspiring... perhaps in the future 'Granny' will get some custom work.

Bob, your question would probably best answered with a direct question to Richard- I am sure he could answer your question much better than my second hand description. Thanks for your and others kind words.

Most of this topic hopefully will help those with / or contemplating a machine in neglected shape.Should you or not? How to gauge if it is worth it or not to attempt a project. Like a barometer of "if " you should tinker or not. Missing components and body pieces were actually the big decisive items I came across. Most seals and gaskets I found work-around's for. The missing body trim is another story - I was very lucky to have found Will's shop in Seattle- he had the key missing top panels. Without him I would have needed to source a sheet metal fabricator to make the pieces. Luckier still, I had a second machine and it's pieces to supply as a template to a fabricator if needed.

BTW most shops determined that the body "shiney parts "were low quality(less nickel- they would hold a magnet) S/S and the main body surround was regular just sheet metal. The top pieces were a light gauge and the fabricators I talked to were impressed on how sharp and crisp bends were in the top panel etc. Very tight bends make up the square top piece with no welds at each corner- just tight bends. BTW-The The trim was not chromed- just highly polished S/S..

It has been 2 weeks today-I was really hoping that I would have gotten my pieces back from the Powder coater..... oh , well time to mow the yard!

TUS172 wrote:So how were the stainless tubes 'set' into the handles?

Richard and I were discussing handles several months ago, because the plastic handles on my Cremina had cracked, presumably from repeated stress. If Richard used the same approach on mogogear's handles that he suggested back then to me, the female-threaded stainless tube is epoxied into place inside the handle using a special resin Richard creates himself from pinesap and overextracted espresso.

Regards
Timo

P.S. I hope my Club turns out to be a keeper -- new handles would be nice. I just hope Richard is in a bartering mood.

timo888 wrote:Richard and I were discussing handles several months ago, because the plastic handles on my Cremina had cracked, presumably from repeated stress. If Richard used the same approach on mogogear's handles that he suggested back then to me, the female-threaded stainless tube is epoxied into place inside the handle using a special resin Richard creates himself from pinesap and overextracted espresso.
Regards
Timo

P.S. I hope my Club turns out to be a keeper -- new handles would be nice. I just hope Richard is in a bartering mood.

Tim,
You forgot the "Grey Recluse Spider" silk for strength and limited flexibility. . Bye the way, That is a drilled and tapped 9/16ths stainless steel bar not tube almost to the middle of the Big ball. Barter always possible!
SeeYA
Richard