Boema 2 group lever

[towe0609]

I usually use Klingersil 4330 , again it is expensive in small quantities though. I have a large roll of it now . It's cut-able with hole punches and i usually use a gasket circle cutter, mounted in a drill. Send me a PM if you'd like a piece cut off and sent

Can I check ... do you mean Klingersil 4430 - 4330 seems to be some sort of packing material rather than gasket sheet.

Klingersil 4430 looks pretty suitable to the job based on my very novice assessment of the tech sheet. What thickness do you have?

I'll measure up the boiler and send you a PM with details and we can go from there. I appreciate the advice.

[kofekitt]

I usually use Klingersil 4330 , again it is expensive in small quantities though. I have a large roll of it now . It's cut-able with hole punches and i usually use a gasket circle cutter, mounted in a drill. Send me a PM if you'd like a piece cut off and sent

[Aaron]

I have just sourced some PTFE for a project of my own and had some trouble tracking it down. Firstly its quite expensive so anyone selling it by the full sheet wants a few hundred dollars which is way more than I need. I managed to buy a 300 x 300mm x 2mm thick sheet for $20 or so on ebay which seems a lot, but not when you discover that a single 25mm seal is $5 from a spare parts place, then it seems quite economical. I plan to have a friend laser cut me a bunch of small washers for various valves and fittings on my current rebuild project. I can't imagine having to cut the stuff by hand as its pretty tough, but a larger gasket like for a boiler should be more manageable. you'll probably want a punch for the bolt holes.
Also Hydrochloric acid is a bit harsh for cleaning and descaling as it readily reacts with the copper of the boiler. its probably worth picking up either citric acid or a commercial descaler such as Vanish from Coffeeparts.

[towe0609]

I've got the boiler apart ... I had to drill 2 of the 10 bolts. The boiler and water level float have been soaked in Hydrochloric acid which worked a treat and look pretty good. Less damage to the steel ring than on the one the Coffee Machinist restored. The float has come up like new, and I was even able to flip the little rubber seat for the valve and its like new!

I've had some other priorities recently (I had an intermittent starter motor on my car which I decided to tackle repairing myself) ... so not much progress ... but my next challenge (other than more cleaning of parts) is to source a sheet of teflon and make a new gasket for the boiler. Any advice about that would be appreciated. I'm not sure how thick it should be ... I was thinking maybe 2.0 or 2.5mm? Any idea where to source? Best way to cut?

I'll try to get some photos up soon.

[Aaron]

Good luck mate. I have done a number of commercial machine rebuilds and the constant fear of seized and broken bolts is pretty much the entire battle. It sounds like you are doing well - just the boiler bolts to tackle yet and then it should be plain sailing.
Once the bolts are out of the way I find the rest of the rebuild - the cleaning, polishing and reassembling - to be very relaxing and enjoyable.
Post a few pictures - of anything - seized bolts, disassembled groups, a rusty frame. There are a lot of people on this board who really enjoy the vicarious rebuild.

[towe0609]

I got 1 out of 8 bolts / studs out between the group and boiler flange ... the rest were corroded in and got drilled out to be replaced with M10 stainless hardware. I managed to remove the boiler flange (I don't know what to call it) from the boiler via the compression fittings. They were very tight, but a bit of tap tap on the shifter on the big nuts got them loose and I was able to separate the boiler and groups which then provided access to the flange faces to drill out the corroded fasteners. I was very thankful, as they would have been the end of the project.

Does anyone know if these old Boema lever groups are sleeved? I read that they are based on CMA/Astoria groups (which are sleeved) but I don't think my groups are ... if they are its very difficult to spot. I have 'pushed' carefully (but with some force) on the shower screen end of what would be the inner sleeve and it didn't budge. Unless I can be convinced, I'm going to clean up the group as is.

There appears to be very little information around specifically about Boema lever machines.

Now to tackle the boiler and valves ... I hope the worst of it is behind me, but I fear not. I'm not game to order anything for the rebuild until I can get it all apart without breaking anything I cannot replace.

[towe0609]

I'm in trouble ... broken rusty bolts /studs between group and boiler.

There is a part (I don't know what to call it) between the boiler and the lever group. It seems connected to the boiler by a huge nut (about 43mm if I recall), and to the group by 2 bolts (top) and 2 studs (bottom).

What happens if I undo the huge nuts between the boiler and this part attached to the group ... will that separate it from the boiler at least .... I'm hoping there will be enough room to jenga it free from the face plate, and can I at least then take the group to a machine shop to drill the bolts out. You cannot get at them from either side until the boiler and group are separated.

[LeroyC]

Rick Bond ‘The Coffee Machinist’ is the man to talk to about this one. He has a certain affection for old Boema levers. Boema themselves are good to deal with but I can tell you now they won’t have parts for this other than maybe gaskets and o rings.

[kofekitt]

Hi , looks like a fun project. If it's been sitting for years, groups will most likely need a full rebuild, not just seals. The groups are based on Astoria/CMA lever group, but even that has changed a few times over the years, so check you're getting parts for the earlier version . Boema the company is still going, and from what i've heard they are very helpful with parts if available for these old machines.

As for re-sale - it's a tough one, it's way too big for most people at home, but cafes don't want them either . I always try and get single groups if possible.You may be lucky and get someone with a coffee cart or similar who wants it, but then it would need gas install and full rebuild...

https://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-e...d-madness.html

[towe0609]

Looks like I'll be picking this up this afternoon. The text with the add read "Rather stylish vintage 2 group vintage lever pull coffee machine. Was working in family cafe, then in storage for years. Plugged it in this morning, boiler is working fine, leak coming from the left hand group head. Will need gaskets."

I'll likely repair (not restore), play with it for a while (I've never had a lever before), and then decide whether I want it in my life long term. I'd be interested to know whether there is a strong market for these in running order should I decide to move it on and what I might get ... I need to set a repair budget!

If anyone has any information about it (model, era, boiler details etc) I'd be grateful.