Bak Ta Lo wrote:Wow, Randy! Is that a sample of wall-paper you actually have hung?

Does hung in Photoshop count?

Super duper awesome. I want to know EVERYTHING about this. Next european trip I make I will have to go to the Netherlands. How was it built? What is the piston assembly like? How is the water boiled? This whole business really makes me want a machine shop so I can tinker also. Wall mount machines are very neat. If only the pharos could be attached to the wall...
If it can produce excellent shots, I see no need for a steamer. Lately, I've been drinking straight espresso for the past month. I envision the drip tray from the table model (very cool, although maybe it should be concave towards the ends?) held in place by a simple rod with a 90 degree bend to the frame.
Photos and video would be greatly appreciated

Perhaps I was too quick in my response, but don't you think a wall mount machine will seriously limit your market? It seems I am wrong, seeing the ecstatic responses here.
Perhaps it will turn out to be a major selling point.

I'm currently looking for a lever like the caravel or velox and this would fit the bill. I would hold off and get yours if you are planning to release it in the near future. Thanks.

I was thinking that a wall mount may not be preferable to some people- but Wouter could add some clamps for clamping rather than drilling- and possibly could make another version that sits on the bench- or an accessory stand? Whatever happens I think wall mount is great- and in any case you can't please everyone- nor should you try.

Wouter: I just noticed there is some espresso spray on the wall beside the machine... Proof you have been using this machine... But you may want to reconsider having a completely naked portafilter: I do love the naked PF's but they do have a tendency to send out micro sprays of espresso in just about every direction. On you prototype I see that the basket is completely exposed.... you may want to consider having 'walls' at least on the PF handle- that extend below the bottom of the basket: such walls stop most of the espresso squirting out onto your shirt and the walls. I cut down my Ponte Vecchio PF's to go naked but left the walls for this reason. You still get some espresso sprays but a lot less- and mostly it is directed down towards the cup/drip tray...

I have a bottomless on my Sama Export, and I think it has walls. Of course I never get anything but perfect, cone-shaped extractions with no spray but when others use it...

Seriously I do usually get good extractions with the PeDe grinders, but I can see the value of a standard, or at least walled, PF. Sprays are definitely not posh on kitchen walls...

PC

sorrentinacoffee wrote:take two of the greatest levers of all time- the Faema Velox and the VAM Caravel- reduce them to their absolute essentials and voila- the ES2!

I completely agree with Sorrentina Coffee! Nice espresso machine, Wouter! I do like the wall-mounting, and would not mind having it set up like that at home. Will it be possible to have a video of it in action?

Looks like the portafilter locks in to the left?

I just had a marvelous shot of the Strietman at the Belgian Aeropress Championship. A real solid espresso. Sadly, Wouter was wrapping up by the time I got there, so we had little time to talk and my cup was almost the very last of the day.

Some thoughts on the machine:

-Is still work in progress
-Makes espresso not ristretto shots. Bigger volume than Pavoni or Caravel.
-Uses standard size baskets (Pavoni / MCAL) that can be filled to the rim (or almost)
-Adjustable thermostat
-One way valve in piston assembly for infusion
-Lever will become more solid, because it's too weak now
-His pull seemed to be about a minute. It just kept coming.
-Used no tamp, just level with stock Pavoni tamper (no kidding!)

Some thoughts from Wouter:

-Hopes to do a production run of 20 in a couple of months
-Affordable but not cheap (think somewhere between new Pavoni and new Cremina...)
-Is thinking about a lasered basket. Any Pavoni users want one?

Thoughts by me:
-I think a wall mount-able design would be the real winner (not wall mount only). Design it so that it comes with a stand, but you can take that off to mount it on a wall. No more fiddling with clamps when presenting your machine!
-Make the handle Caravel / Conti style. It makes the pull more natural and it becomes more solid (see problem above)

All in all, I liked the machine. Too bad Wouter thought it was too unstable for me to try out.

Snap shots:


A shot for size reference. He's not pulling the shot anymore here. Just getting the puck to be less soggy.


Into the water reservoir and piston chamber. Lever down, basic design.


Shower screen assembly.


Pavoni basket in portafilter.

This is freakin' awesome.

I was wondering about the stiffness of the current lever.