Getting back to his long time column on CoffeeGeek, Paul Pratt writes his first in a series of rebuild articles, this time with a closeup look at the classic Faema E61 full restoration.
Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 2:45pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt
Paul, reading about your restoration of the Faema E61 was a pleasure. It is good to read about someone willing to restore a really nice machine that has some historical value. Couple questions. What concentration of citric acid solution do you use for descaling? Do you use the same strength for routine maintenance light descaling? Why the boiler end caps during that era? Why not common today? The light panel on the Faema E61 is beyond totally cool & beautiful.
Noel Mano dell 'operatore> Macinadosatore> Miscela> Macchina espresso
MarshallF Senior Member Joined: 1 Jun 2003 Posts: 465 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Dalla Corte Mini Grinder: Cimbali Max, Solis Maestro Vac Pot: Hario Nouveau, Bodum ESantos Drip: Bodum French Presses, Chemex Roaster: None
Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 5:24pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt
Paul, apart from the beauty of your work, I'm still trying to get my head around your ability to send off 150 parts to the chrome plater ... and remember where they all came from three days later. Very impressive. I'm still working on 10 parts and 10 minutes....
alsterling Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Dana Point, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 (Had Expo) Grinder: Macap M4 & Gaggia MDF Vac Pot: Not yet... Drip: Capresso MT-500 & Melitta... Roaster: Hottop Digital
Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 6:14pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt
Paul.....
I just finished your article. Not only was it interesting, but the machine itself is, in my opinion, is just plain beautiful. I'm in the metal graphics industry, and enjoy anything involving metal refinishing. You must have experienced great satisfaction in the rebuild and the great results. Seeing the backlit plastic graphics gave me some ideas for my own coffee signage. Thanks for shareing.
Best, Al in SoCal
Member No.12047 - SCAA "Space Available Here for Something Really Prolific"
ByronA Senior Member Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio S24, KitchenAid... Grinder: Compak K5, KitchenAid... Vac Pot: Don't want one Drip: Don't want one Roaster: Will eventually get one
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2007, 1:06pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt
Paul,
Thank you so much for writing about about this. I really enjoyed reading about it and the photos were a great complement. What a gorgeous machine! You have inspired me. Don't tell my girlfriend, but I will keep my eyes open for an affordable machine to attempt as a restoration project. I enjoy rebuilding things and the tips you give with your article will be very helpful.
Paul_Pratt Senior Member Joined: 2 Sep 2002 Posts: 285 Location: Hong Kong Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Marzocco SMAL Grinder: Eureka Drip: Pourover cone works best for... Roaster: Probat
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2007, 11:40pm Subject: Re: A Legend is Reborn - Faema E61 Restoration Part 2 by Paul Pratt
narc Said:
Paul, reading about your restoration of the Faema E61 was a pleasure. It is good to read about someone willing to restore a really nice machine that has some historical value. Couple questions. What concentration of citric acid solution do you use for descaling? Do you use the same strength for routine maintenance light descaling? Why the boiler end caps during that era? Why not common today? The light panel on the Faema E61 is beyond totally cool & beautiful.
I usually throw about a tablespoon of powder into 1-2 litres of water, the hotter the water to faster the descaling should be - that is for descaling. As for routine preventative descaling you would want to do less than that certainly. I am not a big fan of descaling machines as a whole if they are too far gone as it loosens too much scale and blocks things up.
The boiler end caps were changed a few years later. A few companies still use this, but I should guess it is quicker and cheaper to use robotic tig welders these days to close the ends. It is quite time consuming to put the end plates on.
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