As some of you may know, I've been on the hunt for a commercial lever for maybe the last 6 months. First started looking at the Ponte Vecchio Lusso, then moved my interest over to the Bezzera B2006AL. Both machines seemed to have problems, even being new, straight from the factory.

Don't get me wrong - my Pavoni is awesome, and I love the little guy, but the G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) I was getting hanging around here was really starting to get to me... especially when looking at the Lever Espresso Machine Gallery. Well, that all ended (for now) today with this:




Finding any information on this is like searching for the Holy Grail. I'm starting to think neither one exists. Doug from Orphan Espresso let me know that the grouphead still has parts available. I guess I'll have to do a proper rebuild, which is a good thing since I hate winter and it will give me something to do.

Can't wait to make some 'spro!!!

1gr gaggia, model 'tell', early 1970s. have fun

Sweet, how did you manage to score it? I've never seen anything as nice on Kijiji or CL.

Nice find! As a fellow user of commercial levers, you'll love it! Like you said - its hard to find any info on old levers on the web, unless someone has done a re-build and documented it on here. Is it in working condition? inside pics?

GAS - Gaggia Acquisition Syndrome

Now maybe I can get a coffee when I'm there

Ed

Bob_McBob wrote:Sweet, how did you manage to score it? I've never seen anything as nice on Kijiji or CL.

Chris, it was on craigslist a few months ago in the Niagara Region at $1900 and it also came with this:



It's a Quickmill Omre grinder. Doubt I'll use it as it is meant to have a bag attached. Thing weighs almost 50lbs.

Anywho, at the time I didn't have that kind of money. Looking last week it was reposted for $1200 and I knew I had to jump on it. I had just sold a vintage synthesizer (my other obsession) so the money was there this time. When I got there I was overtaken with its size - it is a lot bigger than it looks (that's what she said - I know! LOL!). The group head alone is almost as big as my LaPav! LOL!

Lyndon,
Congrats man, I had been eying that for months - I'm both jealous and grateful that you got it as I neither have the space, nor the dough.
It looks gorgeous, are you keeping it at 220v or planning to modify it to 110v? That was one of the issues for me, I don't have any 220v outlets and as a renter, didn't want to hire an electrician to put one in.
Also, let me know if you're interested in selling the glass hopper on your grinder. I've got the same era quickmill grinder, but not the bulk grinding model (mine's standard with a doser).
I've jammed a plastic hopper into it, but would love to get the original glass if it fits.
We might have to organize a Toronto lever fest one of these days, I know a few folks that lurk on HB that would be down with it.
As has been mentioned before on the forum, please be sure to post lots of pics of your new toy.
Great to see such a beauty went to a fellow HB'er, despite my jealousy of not nabbing it myself, I'm glad to see it went to someone who really appreciates it.

garth breaks wrote:Lyndon,
Congrats man, I had been eying that for months - I'm both jealous and grateful that you got it as I neither have the space, nor the dough.

Thanks Garth! I'm really stoked on it. It just looks f23king awesome!!! You can always make space or worry about it after you have possession. LOL!

garth breaks wrote:It looks gorgeous, are you keeping it at 220v or planning to modify it to 110v?

Think I'll keep it at 220. I have a new house and figure I'll just run the line. I may make a coffee bar in my basement when I finish it, taking the machine into consideration when figuring out the plans.

garth breaks wrote:Also, let me know if you're interested in selling the glass hopper on your grinder.

Undecided as to what I'm going to do with it but I'll let you know.

garth breaks wrote:As has been mentioned before on the forum, please be sure to post lots of pics of your new toy.
Great to see such a beauty went to a fellow HB'er, despite my jealousy of not nabbing it myself, I'm glad to see it went to someone who really appreciates it.

Thanks again. I'll post up some up if I find them interesting.

I am SURE glad that you got the Gaggia....I was worried that all my admonitions about what parts are and are not available might have scared you off. Looks damn good.....portafilter somewhere? You might be able to get a Gaggia Achille portafilter grip or entire pf to match the lever handle....but hey, you likely have it all taken apart at this point so no need to ask about pulls. If you have the desire to change the element to 110v it is neither expensive or difficult and everything but the element will swap straight to 110v....switches, lights, etc. It does not look to have autofill...????
Gads, it is almost embarrassing....I have 5 single groups awaiting repair and a three group Pavoni Concourso and here I am getting all envious over your Gaggia....lots of fun and learning ahead I guess, that is what I envy....this little journey that you get to take....and yes, the hardware is cool!

Take your time on the rebuild and cover it all first time out....I don't see any real big expense in bringing this into the fold. Nice batch grinder. Consider me second in line for the glass hopper!

Fun Fun Fun! And the machine already looks great, before you've even started a great cabin-fever project.