Zacconi Riviera vs Elektra Microcasa a Leva vs Microcimbali Liberty vs Pedretti Kim - Page 2

#11: Post by **bill** » June 19th, 2017, 7:25 pm

Mikto wrote:Thank you all for the reply sharing experience
Hello doubleOsoul,
My neighbor have the Elektra Micro Casa 1980 Copper & Brass with wooden hands.
He want to sell it with 270 Euro, but it need a lot of parts:
1- Full polish
2- Heat element
3- Thermostat
4- Sight glass
5- new gaskets/Seals
6- maybe more
Do you think 270 Euro a good deal?, and how much will cost to make it work with this situation?

Cher will probably give you some numbers, too, but since I recently restored a 1988 Mcal I have some answers for you. Keep in mind these parts were necessary for a complete restoration, i.e., to make it as good as new both functionality and cosmetically.
You probably won't need a lot of these items. All parts were bought from Stefanos in Portland OR and are in USD. This should give some idea what it could potentially cost to refurbish a Mcal.
Gasket kit-49.95
Boiler knob & safety valve-34.95
Heating element, 110v.-69.95
Safety thermostat-29.95
Terminal block-6.95
Terminal block holder-4.50
Power switch-9.95
Switch cover-3.50
Plastic drip tray-14.95
Elektra logo nameplate-16.95
Nameplate copper rivets-0.95(2)
Red light indicator-9.95
Brass ferrule for light-5.25
Mater pressurestat-43.95
Power cord-18.95
Brass piston-42.95
Shaft for piston-34.95
Spring for piston-19.95
Pressure gauge-42.00
Top plate for group-68.95
Thermal insulator base to boiler-28.50
Seeger 8mm ring-1.50(2)
Seeger 6mm ring-1.50(2)
Spacer for handle-5.25
8mm pin-3.95
6mm pin-3.75
Haynes silicone grease-4.95
Chrome plating of base, boiler, and top cap-270.00(base is mild steel on most machines; boiler is copper, top cap brass). I opted to plate these items rather than polish. Purely cosmetic decision.

#12: Post by **redbone** » June 19th, 2017, 9:21 pm

Bill, you don't mess around.
It was a beautiful machine with a well executed refurb. Congratulations !!

#13: Post by **drgary** » June 20th, 2017, 12:36 am

I can highly recommend the Elektra Microcasa and have owned a 1980s model and tested a new one. I recommend against the Microcimbali for aluminum corrosion, having owned that too. I haven't owned the other two, so can't say. On second generation La Pavoni and after, which means after the brass sleeved group, watch out for rusting steel bases whether or not there's a screw at the bottom of the drip tray. That said I still have my 2002 La Pavoni (with screw in the drip tray) in tip top shape after treating the base for rust that hadn't gone too far. BTW Stefano's is in Elmira, OR, far south of Portland.

#14: Post by **redbone** » June 20th, 2017, 9:42 pm

A testament to the early aluminum La Pavoni Europiccola bases.

I just finished rewiring this original paint 1964 LPE.

This is how it looks 53 years after a cleaning.

Photo of underside.

More pictures here: https://m.imgur.com/a/FvjUG
(Appears a previous owner tried to glue grill to tray area, for some odd reason)

Overall these early models age well. Quality parts and workmanship.

June 25th, 2017, 6:12 pm

WOW... Thanks a lot bill, for this long list, it is like a reference for all the Microcasa parts.
now I know I cannot buy the Microcasa from my neighbor because I cannot afford the final price after replacing all the parts.

drgary Thanks for you reply, I think my only problem with Microcasa is the price.

redbone you are really a professional and artist in rebuilding these machines, I have seen many photos in you link, thanks for sharing....
and what do think ab out this....
http://www.ebay.de/itm/LA-PAVONI-PROFES ... 1438.l2649

Thanks

June 25th, 2017, 6:32 pm

Thanks, for the kind words.
The link you provided is for a second generations LP pro with pressurestat
Decent machine with the caveat that 2nd gens are steam fed group heads vs 1st & 3rd water fed group heads. Steam fed tend to overheat quicker and overheat at higher temps.
The beauty is that there is a easy mod by "DanoM" aka Dan to make these water fed groups.
Heat control mod for 2nd Generation La Pavoni Levers

#17: Post by **redbone** » June 25th, 2017, 6:34 pm

Thanks Mikto,

That's a second gen LP Pro steam fed group head. They tend to overheat quicker and get hotter than water fed 1st & 3rd group machines.
There is an easy mod by member DanoM (Dan) to make these water fed groups.

See here for 2nd gen mod Heat control mod for 2nd Generation La Pavoni Levers

#18: Post by **bill** » June 25th, 2017, 6:42 pm

Mikto wrote:WOW... Thanks a lot bill, for this long list, it is like a reference for all the Microcasa parts.
now I know I cannot buy the Microcasa from my neighbor because I cannot afford the final price after replacing all the parts.

Keep in mind that I was 'restoring' the machine to a 'like new or better' condition. Many of the parts I replaced were still functional. Some others, i.e., the Elektra logo were only cosmetic.

#19: Post by **drgary** » June 25th, 2017, 7:54 pm

Application of barista skills can allow you to use 2nd gen La Pavoni as is, although I am in favor of the heat control mod.

Reaching the Zen Zone with a Two Switch La Pavoni