I am new to the Espresso Machine arena. I recently picked up a 1960 Faema Urania Three pull and would like to restore it.
I read the article on the Faema resto and was very impressed. I would like more info and direction on my machine.

This is my process for getting an old lever going and shiny, I am sure that others will chime in with better advice.

1. Take photos of the intact machine for posterity. Remove all covers, taking more photos taking particular attention to the position of pipe work.

2. Remove the groups, pipework and boiler from the frame. Disassemble all before soaking for 2 - 3 days in either citric or ascorbic acid (you can buy these from a homebrew supplies store). I degrease anything greasy that I intend to reuse (though I like to use new bearings and springs)

3. Strip and paint frame (some sandblast then powder coat, giving much better results)

4. Rewire machine from scratch using new switches

5. Rebuild groups, I replace all consumables that are still available (piston seals, bearings, shower screen, group head seals and nice new handles). Use food grade grease to help get the pistons back in the groups.

6. Rebuild boiler and any pipework (if necessary), polish, replace gasket and element

7. Rebuild steam and water valves, replacing washers

8. Polish or paint bodywork as appropriate

9. Reassemble all using new fasteners

The last 3 group machine I restored took me about 3 months of nights and weekends and cost about US$500 in parts and materials. None of the work was particularly hard though alot of the time it was very tedious. My big tip would be to buy a small propane torch. This helps greatly to loosen-up gummed up parts.

My 3 group machine has had daily use in my kitchen for the past 3 years without any troubles.

cheers
Paul

Here are two pictures of my machine

If you don't have a digital camera my frind, get one . Taking those pictures to refer back to will make faded memories come back to life. Orient the part as it attaches. Lots of pictures of your left hand

Also some cheap plasitic clam shells containers from your local deli- to hold groups of screws from certain components will help organization. You can label them( " Parts for Group #1) etc. (Boiler screws etc)

Nice machine - have fun keeping us posted

That looks so cool!

I can not figure out what the second group from the left is for. Not for espresso I assume.

Good luck and I hope you have many friends to make espresso for. It looks like a machine made to serve alot of shots. Keep us posted.

8 Mega Pixel Nikon in hot standby. Containers in hand. Short of time of course.
I had the same question as to what the second unit is. Looks like a drip coffee container. Also some more "WHAT THE...?" items pictured as well as the coffee grinder.
Keep comments coming,
Regards,
Bill the Bubblehead

I have seen those "americano" coffee makers on several machines..... the name escapes me, but I am sure someone is googling right now. Several makers utilized them. It was like having an ATOMIC coffee maker built in to a head area. That next picture looks to be some sort of water regulator perhaps..... ? Or if your machine was setup to operate via gas and burners( which alot of older machines like yours were equipped for) it could be a gas regulator... guessing..

Ok, I found a new version of this "Giant espresso reservoir." It is on a WEGA, but many makers had them. Gaggia and Rancilio to name a few other than obviously Faema.

http://www.pennineteaandcoffee.co.uk/wega/thermo.html

The WEGA on can rapidly brew 2.5 liters of espresso?? and it can be help on tap to draw from as you need it. maybe this is the way they dealt with people drinking lattes etc. If you were going to cover up your espresso with a lot of dairy- Wa LA- you got Bulk Espresso!!!!!- It even had a steam nozzle in the reservoir to "reheat " the supply on hand!

I figured the second unit was some sort of volume liquid holder. Thanks for the website. Some sailor probably figured it out for max espresso supply - the Navies of the world run on coffee. As to the other unit, it has a glass tube on the side (water level indicator). I am sure someone will figure it out. I was in the box along with 19 espresso cups and some sort of insulated cable. I will post a picture of the cable later.
Many thanks.
Bill the Bubblehead

Here are a few views of the unit. it looks like some type of flow regulator. Any ideas. Also does anyone have any idea where this cable goes?






Regards
Bill the Bubblehead