Here are some more 'before' pictures


and this is what inspired me to go ahead with the purchase and asking Thijs if he would do the restoration work for me:-
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Faema-Mercurio-v ... 2221838878

WOW!!!!

That is amazing.... I like the patina.

Paolo wrote:'Triple plated chrome' is what I meant to say.

http://www.castlechrome.co.uk/tripleplatedchrome.html

I understand ! In fact it is normal chrome process, they call it "triple" when chroming iron pieces because you need to first plate copper before nickel. On our brass body parts you only need nickel and chrome layer.

Triple plated chrome is a commercial name

These old Faema machines are real pieces of art. This one is no exception - magnificent.

Very nice and rare Mercurio with the raised front brass piece. A great find.

Wow. The condition is amazing, all things considered. Wonder where it was hiding all these years.

Awesome!

I also wonder where this machine has been hiding all of these years..and how many families have used it to make delicious espresso before it was put into storage....Isn't it wonderful that beautiful creations like this one ARE often stored!

I love the look of my Mercurio as it is now...but after Thijs has finished performing his magic it will be absolutely jaw-dropping!

I will send more pictures as they are sent them to me. At the moment a tool is being fabricated to separate the cylinder liner from the group in order to fit a new seal, shown here:-
Inside a Faema first series lever group cylinder

This particular Mercurio requires a tool of different configuration to the last Mercurio that he restored in his workshop at Brooks Vintage Espresso Machines.


I am SO glad that I didn't even attempt to restore this machine.


(Until I visited his website, I had only associated the Brooks name with Caravel baskets and heating elements.)

The special tool has been fabricated and the inner sleeve has been removed.

The rubber seal was really dry, as you would expect from surviving over 65 years in different environments.

I am really glad that the o-ring will be replaced (no doubt with a new viton o-ring) and that nothing was damaged whilst separating the 2 sections of the group..

A new pair of heating elements has been manufactured..