A bit of lever action

[mp]

That machine does sound interesting.  As with all new stuff ... a review would be helpful along with experiences that the first owners have in order to give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.  I would not enjoy being on the bleeding end.

 

[Tex]

Calling all wanna be lever owners: http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php?topic=11526.0

[mp]

Yeah ... saw that one.  Would have been nice to snag it for under $200.00.

 

[BoldJava]

To all of you who are saving to purchase a lever you might want to keep your eyes peeled for what Orphan Espresso has on the horizon. I perusing through the Pharos thread on HB and ran into Doug / Barb making a comment about a lever machine they plan on making / selling. . .  No mention of price or planned release date. No pictures yet either. Could be interesting.

I have asked but didn't receive a response.

B|Java

[BoldJava]

Bezzera Strega (lever with pump) has been available down under for some time.  Pre-orders available in Canada, http://www.idrinkcoffee.com/Bezzera_Strega_Lever_Machine_p/sa-bez-streg-b15.htm

"...Brew Group
The group is heated by an heating element that ensures the group's thermostability.  Before coffee delivery the pump fills the lever group providing a pre infusion between coffee and water.  During delivery the pump stops, and the pressure in the group unit is developed by two springs that guarantee a steady supply and the best oil extraction from the ground coffee...."

Bezzera Strega HX Lever-First Test Pour by Koffee Kosmo

[mp]

Looks like a solid unit.

 

[BoldJava]

To all of you who are saving to purchase a lever you might want to keep your eyes peeled for what Orphan Espresso has on the horizon. I perusing through the Pharos thread on HB and ran into Doug / Barb making a comment about a lever machine they plan on making / selling.

Guess both of us missed this early March post from Doug at OrphanEspresso over at HB:

"...We will be offering full OEM Parts support for Olympia Express machines from the oldest models to the newest, worldwide. We will also have available for purchase in North America, the Iconic Olympia Cremina 2008 Manual Lever Espresso Machine. We believe that our extensive experience in repair, restoration & supplying parts for vintage Olympia Express machines, and our association with Olympia Express, Switzerland, will be a positive step for all of us who love espresso!...

I think they run $3700.  Here is a 2002 on left, Cremina 67 right, restored.  http://www.home-barista.com/reviews/olympia-cremina-2002-evolution-of-design-t887.html



2008

[Warrior372]

Apparently Olympia recently changed hands and has a new owner. With the new owner comes new contracts and Doug seems to have arranged to assume that role in the US. They do retail for $3,700. The previous thing I posted about them building an espresso machine is a different monster. He has apparently designed a machine and is in the final stages of sourcing parts suppliers. I guess I never thought maybe he is sourcing the parts from Olympia?!? I have no idea.

Anyway, I found an individual in Wisconsin with a Conti Empress for sale. It needs a polish, as it could be shinier, but he says the only things that needs to be done to it is the drip tray needs to be re-chromed. Initial asking price is $1k, which is very fair. Especially when you consider Orphan  sold their refurbished one about a year ago for around $3k.

Any Wisconsinites interested?

[BoldJava]

...I found an individual in Wisconsin with a Conti Empress for sale. It needs a polish, as it could be shinier, but he says the only things that needs to be done to it is the drip tray needs to be re-chromed. Initial asking price is $1k, which is very fair. Especially when you consider Orphan  sold their refurbished one about a year ago for around $3k.

Any Wisconsinites interested?

Too old for me.  Vintage machines are best for individuals with the mechanical aptitude and skills to change the whatchamacallits, to adjust the psj injomehoots, to torque the uittitoo when the boiler reaches its psi, etc.  I am a plug and player who needs something new out of the box that I wouldn't have to ship to Doug within 8 months to adjust its ______________________.  

I know how to and do stay on top of PM but beyond that, it becomes a RPITA for me to even think maintenance.  Change a gasket, no big deal.  Replace an O ring - can do.  But that is as far as I want to wander with a tool in my hand near an espresso machine.

[Warrior372]

The great thing about levers is that the only things that will ever require maintenance are the boiler gasket, o-rings / seals, possible pressurestat replacement (doubtful and easy if needed) and the heating element (if it ever burns out.).

[peter]

And as long as Mike lives within a few hundred miles and can be bribed with goat cheese, you have nothing to worry about.   

[mp]

The great thing about levers is that the only things that will ever require maintenance are the boiler gasket, o-rings / seals, possible pressurestat replacement (doubtful and easy if needed) and the heating element (if it ever burns out.).

So you're saying these require the least amount of maintenance?

Don't be so sure Peter.

 

[Tex]

The great thing about levers is that the only things that will ever require maintenance are the boiler gasket, o-rings / seals, possible pressurestat replacement (doubtful and easy if needed) and the heating element (if it ever burns out.).

Sounds like how we used to describe the Y-block Fords. "Nothing wrong with them that jacking up the radiator cap and driving a Chevy beneath it wouldn't fix."

[Warrior372]

The great thing about levers is that the only things that will ever require maintenance are the boiler gasket, o-rings / seals, possible pressurestat replacement (doubtful and easy if needed) and the heating element (if it ever burns out.).

So you're saying these require the least amount of maintenance?

Don't be so sure Peter.

 

Yes. Levers require much less attention than semi-autos due to their lack of parts. The only thing hiding under the hood of a lever is a pressurestat, a boiler, heating element and copper tubing. Other then those parts you have to worry about gaskets, o-ring / piston seals and descaling every now and again.

I am getting pictures from the owner, so I will check out the condition. He owned some sort of concession stand and this use to be the machine he used in it. He said it is fully operational and he has replacement gaskets / springs. He has my interest. One of these just sold on ebay unrefurbished and missing the glass for $1,800.

[mp]

The great thing about levers is that the only things that will ever require maintenance are the boiler gasket, o-rings / seals, possible pressurestat replacement (doubtful and easy if needed) and the heating element (if it ever burns out.).

So you're saying these require the least amount of maintenance?

Don't be so sure Peter.

 

Yes. Levers require much less attention than semi-autos due to their lack of parts. The only thing hiding under the hood of a lever is a pressurestat, a boiler, heating element and copper tubing. Other then those parts you have to worry about gaskets, o-ring / piston seals and descaling every now and again.

I am getting pictures from the owner, so I will check out the condition. He owned some sort of concession stand and this use to be the machine he used in it. He said it is fully operational and he has replacement gaskets / springs. He has my interest. One of these just sold on ebay unrefurbished and missing the glass for $1,800.

Got any pictures of that beauty?