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Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

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  • mcetp001
    replied
    I just picked up a '74 EP so am very pleased to have some pre-reading to do before I start to get dirty.

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  • Lukemc
    replied
    Thanks guys will see how I go. Nuts and bolts might be the simplest idea actually

    Leave a comment:


  • Hamburglar
    replied
    Nice machine! They are e-clips so no point getting circlip pliers. There are proper tools for e-clips but probably not worth wasting your money. I use a small piece of wood with a v cut in the end to push up both prongs at the same time. Works better than pliers or screwdriver and there's no risk scratching the chrome. Some people replace the pins with nuts and bolts to make life easier. You'll need to remove the front pin to drop out the piston for cleaning and lubrication.

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  • Steve82
    replied
    Originally posted by Lukemc View Post
    Just received my pre-millennium (1970s ??) machine from the Netherlands.

    The lever is off and before I rush off to the big green shed to buy circlip pliers I just wanted to ask if I'm one the money with needing them!! Looks like I do but is there another way to get the clips off?

    [ATTACH]5673[/ATTACH]

    Pic of machine looking forward to having a play with it.

    [ATTACH]5674[/ATTACH]
    Looks very nice!

    I always just gently pulled mine off (straight) with needle nose pliers even though i have a set of circlip pliers. I found them to be quite easy to get off, not much force needed...however yours maybe different / stiffer so this might not be ideal. ?

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  • Lukemc
    replied
    Just received my pre-millennium (1970s ??) machine from the Netherlands.

    The lever is off and before I rush off to the big green shed to buy circlip pliers I just wanted to ask if I'm one the money with needing them!! Looks like I do but is there another way to get the clips off?

    Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByCoffeeSnobs1392078457.970538.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	39.0 KB
ID:	737068

    Pic of machine looking forward to having a play with it.

    Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByCoffeeSnobs1392078501.589629.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	89.6 KB
ID:	737069

    Leave a comment:


  • coffee_machinist
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    hmm your piston seals must be well lubricated or well worn! You could leave the steam valve open after use to stop those kind of shenannigans, but its nothing to worry about.

    Leave a comment:


  • t0fu
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    changed coffee.. All my settings ruined lol. I blame the grind size/consistency when changing beans the pavoni seems to have very fine tolerances when it comes to grind.

    Anyways im noticing that my lever raises itself when i leave the machine off to cool. Its a bit of a mind trick to have lowered it in the afternoon and come back to it after dinner to see it fully raised (machine is OFF btw). Its doing this pretty slowly though but its definately raising itself!

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  • dski
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Originally posted by 5061766F6E69626F79000 link=1251710399/43#43 date=1327902709
    Yes, that description I gave is just a starting point to get people going. There is a lot of tweaking to be done from there, which is the fun ( for some anyway) of this machine.

    If water pressure from the boiler seems too much, start earlier when its not as hot - pressure is a factor of heat in the boiler.
    Thanks PB, I realised it was just a starting point, and it certainly helped me make a start. Much appreciated. I do find the tweaking fun, and everybody has their own little ways and means...

    Originally posted by 5061766F6E69626F79000 link=1251710399/43#43 date=1327902709
    Have fun.
    Will do!!

    Originally posted by 7269636B5F626F6E64000 link=1251710399/44#44 date=1327906139
    Ive been noticing lately that Im getting less fractured pucks and more even extractions by paying attention to preinfusing VERY gently - inching the lever up millimeter by millimeter to make sure the chamber is filled slowly. Seems to be a winner for me at least!

    Nice one, thanks for that Mr Bond.

    Leave a comment:


  • coffee_machinist
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Ive been noticing lately that Im getting less fractured pucks and more even extractions by paying attention to preinfusing VERY gently - inching the lever up millimeter by millimeter to make sure the chamber is filled slowly. Seems to be a winner for me at least!

    Leave a comment:


  • Pavoniboy
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Yes, that description I gave is just a starting point to get people going. There is a lot of tweaking to be done from there, which is the fun ( for some anyway) of this machine.

    If water pressure from the boiler seems too much, start earlier when its not as hot - pressure is a factor of heat in the boiler.

    Have fun.

    Leave a comment:


  • dski
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Originally posted by 480C5A493C0 link=1251710399/40#40 date=1327847383
    t0fu wrote on Jan 28th, 2012 at 10:28pm:
    I would say work on your distribution and tamping if you have obvious signs of channelling. Also gradually raise the lever and gradually lower the lever.


    Cheers tofu,

    The water seems to rush quite rapidly out of the shower screen regardless of the speed at which I lift the lever. I dont find I ever need to do a second pull.

    That sounds pretty weird to me.
    Sorry, poor description... When I lift the lever, with no portafilter in place, the water seems to jet out with quite a bit of pressure - maybe more than other machines?

    So my concern is that with this ruch of water the top of the prepared puck is likely to be disturbed.  Some "online sources" suggest that the puck should be dosed to just touch the shower screen to avoid this - but most do not recommend it.

    Im curious to know how others dose for this machine.
    :-? :-? :-?

    Originally posted by 480C5A493C0 link=1251710399/40#40 date=1327847383
    If the shot is running too fast or leaking even without any pressure from the lever then maybe your grind is too coarse. But if you have a coarse grind you shouldnt see any obvious channeling cos the water will just pass through easily.

    What does your puck actually look like? Are there any fractures or seams? When you knock it out after a shot does its stay together? Any marks that its touching the showerhead or a very uneven surface?

    Remember that with these things that if your extraction time is much shorter than what other people reccomend as a rule of thumb for espresso its pretty normal because these old lever machines pour less coffee than modern pump machines. A double in my 51mm machine is maybe only 25-30ml with 1 pull.
    The puck comes out solid, but has indentations on the top that seem to suggest channelling.

    I have followed Pavoni boys guide on thie thread Reply #13 with pretty good success - good tasting shots, I just think I could get a leeeetle better.

    I have been changing beans so much lately to its hard to get much consistancy - so many factors.

    I have to say, I am a lever convert for sure. 

    Leave a comment:


  • Pavoniboy
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Originally posted by 4C5B4341280 link=1251710399/38#38 date=1327797476
    The water seems to rush quite rapidly out of the shower screen regardless of the speed at which I lift the lever.
    Water should not be coming out of the shower screen until you are the one forcing it out by pulling on the lever.

    Leave a comment:


  • t0fu
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Originally posted by 43544C4E270 link=1251710399/38#38 date=1327797476
    Originally posted by 66227467120 link=1251710399/37#37 date=1327753680
    I would say work on your distribution and tamping if you have obvious signs of channelling. Also gradually raise the lever and gradually lower the lever.
    Cheers tofu,

    The water seems to rush quite rapidly out of the shower screen regardless of the speed at which I lift the lever. I dont find I ever need to do a second pull.
    That sounds pretty weird to me. Make sure you are lowering the lever slowly as well. There is a bit of lag between pulling down the lever and getting feedback from the machine because of how the lever is. Just because there isnt much resistance at the top of the lever doesnt mean you should rush through it.

    If the shot is running too fast or leaking even without any pressure from the lever then maybe your grind is too coarse. But if you have a coarse grind you shouldnt see any obvious channeling cos the water will just pass through easily.

    What does your puck actually look like? Are there any fractures or seams? When you knock it out after a shot does its stay together? Any marks that its touching the showerhead or a very uneven surface?

    Remember that with these things that if your extraction time is much shorter than what other people reccomend as a rule of thumb for espresso its pretty normal because these old lever machines pour less coffee than modern pump machines. A double in my 51mm machine is maybe only 25-30ml with 1 pull.

    Leave a comment:


  • Murraywj
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    I just bought a pre-millenium LP Prof 3 weeks ago and have ordered a custom 49.5mm stainless / aluminium handled tamper from an ebay retailer for ~$USD50 delivered. 

    Leave a comment:


  • dski
    replied
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Originally posted by 66227467120 link=1251710399/37#37 date=1327753680
    I would say work on your distribution and tamping if you have obvious signs of channelling. Also gradually raise the lever and gradually lower the lever.
    Cheers tofu,

    The water seems to rush quite rapidly out of the shower screen regardless of the speed at which I lift the lever. I dont find I ever need to do a second pull.

    Originally posted by 66227467120 link=1251710399/37#37 date=1327753680
    And get a different tamper cos the stock one is hopeless.
    So I have heard. I got my machine second hand, and it came with a tamper that fits nicely, but it is very hin, and doesnt allow me to judge depth terribly accurately. I have a pre-millenium machine with the narrower basket. 49 mm I think.

    Leave a comment:

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