Anyone heard of a La San Marco 52 3 lever - Page 4

A haven dedicated to manual espresso machine aficionados.
Sansibar99
Posts: 241
Joined: 11 years ago

#31: Post by Sansibar99 »

OldAndBigTr3E wrote:Thank you for the info. I am going to try and get it home today and check for a specific date on it. Has 67 staped on a lot of it's peices.
This is often a kind of production number, pushed into different pieces before assembly. It is referred to in restaurations as "matching numbers" of the different parts, so you know, your machine is not a mesh up from different sources... :wink:
LMWDP #422

OldAndBigTr3E (original poster)
Posts: 79
Joined: 6 years ago

#32: Post by OldAndBigTr3E (original poster) »

I'm torn between keeping it or selling it. I'd really love to get it 100%, but Enrico made me an offer to buy it. I know that he can do everything this machine needs to get it 100% and it would be in a good place. But I may never get another opportunity like this, to me it's as much a piece of art as it is history. I know I could get it to 100% but it will take me more time because I have no experience with them and limited funding for it at this time. I really like it. :mrgreen:
LMWDP#587. Pull the lever to claim your prize.

Advertisement
User avatar
drgary
Team HB
Posts: 14347
Joined: 14 years ago

#33: Post by drgary »

Either way you've rescued it from oblivion.
Gary
LMWDP#308

What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!

Sansibar99
Posts: 241
Joined: 11 years ago

#34: Post by Sansibar99 »

Well, if you believe in fate, it might strengthen your position to see it that way: this machine found you!
Kind of Espresso-Karma, isn't it? :wink:

Or is he offering you 2 Discos and a Lollo in exchange? :mrgreen:
LMWDP #422

User avatar
drgary
Team HB
Posts: 14347
Joined: 14 years ago

#35: Post by drgary replying to Sansibar99 »

:lol:

When I scored my vintage lever, I knew nothing about how to restore it. So I posted lots of photos and asked lots of questions and eventually got a wonderful, working machine. If you take your time and job out the work you're not equipped to do, you can do right by your LSM.
Gary
LMWDP#308

What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!

User avatar
TomC
Team HB
Posts: 10534
Joined: 13 years ago

#36: Post by TomC »

OldAndBigTr3E wrote:I'm torn between keeping it or selling it...

An option worth considering, since your entry costs into the machine were so low, you could consider contracting the restoration out to a professional, then you'll have a machine with a markedly increased resale value. Even if the crating, shipping, restoration, etc set you back a few thousand dollars (and it likely will, even conservatively), looking at the back end you'll have an extremely rare machine worth a significant amount more than your combined investment.

Here in the Bay Area, the Blue Bottle Cafe in the Morse Building in Oakland has a dedicated machine repair/restoration shop and they have done several vintage machines as well as newer commercial ones. Instead of paying the expensive crating and shipping costs to Europe, you might want to consider contacting them and seeing if they'd be interested/capable, because you could literally just drive it over. Things like the broken lever arm would best be left to an expert, but who's to say they couldn't contract out some of that work. It really depends on what is there and what needs to be fabricated, because if it's extensive, it might be a bit too much for them to take on. But it's an option to consider. The last thing I'd recommend you do is sell it outright without careful consideration of other options. You will NEVER be without a market that seeks to buy something so cherished and rare.

I've been in your shoes before with my Lollo and I've also ignored many sales inquiries, but I know it's extremely tempting to consider, but I know I'd never be able to replace it. So she waits patiently for me.
Join us and support Artisan Roasting Software=https://artisan-scope.org/donate/

Seacoffee
Posts: 338
Joined: 12 years ago

#37: Post by Seacoffee »

Tom, just read your Lollo thread again and given I have just acquired a Eureka Superba, I feel very humble about the responsibility in having one of these classic machines for a time.

Advertisement
OldAndBigTr3E (original poster)
Posts: 79
Joined: 6 years ago

#38: Post by OldAndBigTr3E (original poster) »

Thank you for all of the input. Im going to keep it and see if i can get more details about it and find parts. Got it to my house just need to get it on the work bench. I think i also may clean it after all, i would really like to see it shine. Thanks again everyone :D
LMWDP#587. Pull the lever to claim your prize.

Seacoffee
Posts: 338
Joined: 12 years ago

#39: Post by Seacoffee »

Great news. Enjoy it and the whole process

User avatar
arcus
Supporter ♡
Posts: 770
Joined: 11 years ago

#40: Post by arcus »

OldAndBigTr3E wrote:Thank you for all of the input. Im going to keep it and see if i can get more details about it and find parts. Got it to my house just need to get it on the work bench. I think i also may clean it after all, i would really like to see it shine. Thanks again everyone :D
Good call. There will always be a market for that machine so it's a win win situation.