Search found 1774 matches

by Bluecold
March 13th, 2024, 2:25 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 28
Views: 1608

Comparing the Faema President, Urania, and Lambro

Drip tray, front plate, skirt plate, handle and portafilter are also chromed if I'm not mistaken. On mine the front plate was replaced by a stainless plate by the previous owner
by Bluecold
March 3rd, 2024, 10:11 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 28
Views: 1608

Comparing the Faema President, Urania, and Lambro

The French 'craigslist' type website, leboncoin is also a great source for old levers, and substantially cheaper than the rest of the world it seems. I just looked and there a now at least 3 Faema Lambros on there, all below 1500 euros. I got mine for 1250euros some 4 years ago. A few lessons French...
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by Bluecold
October 18th, 2023, 3:39 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 3
Views: 327

Someone can help on this Gaggia model

Gaggia Sirio As far as I know these are super rare and very compact for having a full size lever group. There is a matching grinder, famously used james bond in live and let die
by Bluecold
March 26th, 2023, 3:03 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 3
Views: 243

How to run a big lever without plumbing in

I'm not sure why it wasn't clear, but my process doesn't involve disassembly (which would be completely impractical for day to day use), but instead I submerge the hot water wand in a filled jug and open up the valve. The boiler then fills itself by suction. This way I don't introduce air into the b...
by Bluecold
March 26th, 2023, 1:58 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 3
Views: 243

How to run a big lever without plumbing in

A long long time ago, I theorized that it should be possible to run a big boilered machine without plumbing in, by removing the vacuum breaker and using the vacuum to let the boiler fill itself. "New Marcfi single-group espresso machine and grinder from 1996" Due to circumstances, I've been running ...
by Bluecold
July 12th, 2021, 12:45 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 170
Views: 10064

Restoration of a 1963 Faema Lambro [Finished]

They shouldn't wiggle like that, which would explain your leak
by Bluecold
July 11th, 2021, 5:14 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 15
Views: 549

General question on espresso machines--how long do you keep them on?

Elements generally last a very long time, are easy to source, and easy to replace if they ever go bad. I wouldn't worry about element life. The extra required power over the machine life is probably much more expensive, especially if you live in a hot climate and have air conditioning
by Bluecold
July 6th, 2021, 5:08 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 8
Views: 633

Identify rare lever espresso machine

I'm no expert, but I've never seen a gaggia without either the original Gaggia lever group, or the similar looking, but narrower Spanish Gaggia group. Those both have a distinctive screw thread and very large hex flats
by Bluecold
June 13th, 2021, 4:02 am
Forum: Grinders
Replies: 2
Views: 698

Conical burr grinder jamming. Gear disc or motor?

If the motor runs it's probably not the motor. If there are no loud noises, it's probably not the gears slipping on each other, my money would be a gear slipping on the shaft. I would check both gears if they're properly attached to their shafts
by Bluecold
June 13th, 2021, 3:19 am
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 23
Views: 987

Braided stainless tubing throughout

Copper or stainless can be recycled, teflon cannot and will linger in the environment indefinitely. I would greatly prefer metal tubing, and manufacturers that don't use it are frankly irresponsible