Hey- I have two of these machines that need restoring- I would kill for that tool- it is the nicest looking thing- I could just imagine the satisfaction as you unscrew the sleeve- awesome! feel like posting it to Australia? I promise I will get it straight back to you- with some kind of gift

If your onkel (uncle) would like to make another one I would buy it.

Hello again johey:

johey wrote:... not leaking at the moment. Was just thinking about cleaning it.
However, I don't really get how you mean. The top house is solid with no opening at the top. Seems like it is welded ...

Exactly, it was probably brazed to the side of the boiler before the chrome and polish job, but certainly not with the glass tube in place. =^)

My 'Shirley' is from the mid 60's also and here's what the top boss looks like:



I find this to be a much better system: one nut less to tighten, one less gasket, another possible leakage avoided.

If you look closely, my 'Shirley' does not have (unfortunately) a stainless sight-glass guard. Her original one was plastic and I removed it because I thought it was not up to the job. So I replaced the original sight-glass with another one the same OD but smalle ID. ie: thicker walls.

It's really not essential to have an opening at the top boss to remove the sight-glass in these models.
As you can surely imagine, if it went in it can come out.
What I do know for sure is that it means a bit more more work.

The top boss in these early models has more room to slide up/in than the bottom boss. This makes it possible to slide the glass tube upwards till it can go no further and when you get there, slowly and carefully move it sideways to pull it down and that's about it.

The reverse operation is what you need to do to put it back in. Of course, new, pliable gaskets are a plus as the originals ones may not leak but that's probably because they are welded to the glass and it's essential that the sigh-glass replacement be the exact length. Too long it may not go in. Too short and it may not seal properly.

Like one of our more knowledgeable correspondents has pointed out ...

orphanespresso wrote:That one is a standard La Pavoni difficult job.

If I may add to that: it's also the most annoying of all. =^/

In any case, all you have to do it follow his very well written instructions carefully and you'll get there.
Of course, Prudence and Patience will be your best girlfriends while at it.
Just leave out the part about "The glass comes out the top to the housing ... ".

Cheers,

CIV

Hi Johey,
Just to jump in on sorrentinacoffee's statement - Would you uncle be interested in making a few more tools to unscrew the cylinder and how much would he like for his time and materials and skill to do so? As much as I like the "nailset/vise" method, a tool sure would be nice to have
Thanks
Anthony

I posted this picture on another thread, but here's a tool I built to remove my La Cara piston:



50mm spacing between two penny nails. Worked like a charm. No grinding, welding or money required.

hmm- is that a tool or a weapon?

I believe that is called a 'zoot stick' used by the LA police to break up gangs of Mexican 'zooters' in the mid 1940's.... The nails would tear their expensive zoot suits...


I tried a similar thing with my machine- using a vice to hold two steel pins. Wouldn't work on mine as it must be stuck very tight- the pins bent- too much leverage.

No I still like the 'onkel' tool- a thing of great beauty it is... precious....

Franco Ceccarelli had a picture if a very nice tool he made- simpler design and easier to fabricate than the 'onkel'. I looked on his site but I cannot find it...

Thank you for the tips on how to replace the glass! It feels great to know that it is possible to remove it without drilling. However, I will keep it in place until I really have to replace it. Hope it doesn't leak.

About the tool... I'm sorry I didn't reply at once. I just don't really know what to say. Of course I could send it around the world, but there are risks involved. It might get lost somewhere on the way and it would probably be expensive as it is quite heavy. On the other hand, I know it would be useful for them who want to bring the oldies back to life...

I'm not really sure about asking my uncle to make more of them. I need to think of a nice way to put the question first.

So, I haven't really decided how to do... But anyone of you who want to replace your gaskets, and who wouldn't mind spending a few days in Stockholm/Sweden, are welcome to visit me any my girlfriend. We can even offer a bed for a couple of nights if you want to see the town. You will also have the chance to taste coffee from the best Swedish roastery Johan & Nyström.

That's all I can do for now. Heh.

What a great thread, it's inspiring me to drag my 60's pavoni out from storage to try the nail set and vice trick.
That being said, Johey, if your uncle is interested in making more of those tools, I'd certainly be interested in buying one.
If I make any progress I'll post an update.
Cheers,
-GB.

Hi everybody!

Today my group gasket arrived. Thanks alot, Mr Orphan! I installed it without any problems, and powered on the machine. After some minutes steam was released from the over pressure valve (or what it is called) and I think that is normal for the Europiccola. I turned the switch to the lower setting and the steam was less intense. I loaded the porta with coffee just like I do with the Professional and made me a shot. It was a quite different feeling than in the arm of the Pro, but I can't say if it's better or worse. Out came a near-perfect shot and I couldn't notice any kind of leakage from anywhere.

So thank you everyone for helping me with this! Now my two machines are shining beside each others and I love them both, but I think my heart beats a little stronger for the Europiccola '63 than the Professional '99.

Thats Great News Johey - It's always good to hear that somebody has gotten another vintage lever machine working again !!!! Well Done !!!
Cheers
Anthony

well done,

I have both models- and find that the action- and the shots- are better on the 1963 machine. An it certianly looks a lot better. Like most things I am sure the build quality of the vintage machine is better.

and now you have that lovely tool- you are set for life.