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faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > faema p/4-p/6...

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wmpine
Senior Member

Joined: 19 Nov 2010
Posts: 6
Location: lake county ca/el cerrito ca
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: faema p/4-p/6
Grinder: mazzer mini
Vac Pot: top part of corry dru3 need...
Drip: none
Roaster: unmoded air popper

Posted Fri Nov 19, 2010, 5:10pm Subject: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

hi i just bought a faema p/4-p/6 mach. this was taken from the front plate. it has no date stamp on the machine that i can find the plastic side and back panels look as there from the seventies the front has a "Mr Espresso" plate attached.I think that this is a bay area equipment supply store i am new to this website but a friend said that i should ask you all here. i am a "do it yourself sort" of guy, with wiring,welding and plumbing skills, that likes espresso shots(addicted while in Europe) i don't know any thing about this machine but as it was only 200.00 dollars, i got it. now the real question that i have is will this machine be worth restoring? it looks great even the plastic side and back panels . the pump looks good but i have no wiring diagram to hook it up with.(it has three wires, all yellow,nothing says three phase) i think that it is a semi auto machine but i don't know how to tell the difference. I bought it from this post on craigslist http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bfs/2067694308.html the pictures may help you to id it. i am hoping that it still is on the web but i will take pics to post after the thanksgiving holiday so, was i burned or did i hit the lotto? i will be reading the faq section as soon as i get home from work tonight is there a restoration website for these machines? where does one source parts? thanks for your advice in advance, wmpine

c4h5n2o
Senior Member

Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 234
Location: Vancouver
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: LM
Grinder: Bunn/Vario
Drip: Swiss gold
Roaster: No time

Posted Fri Nov 19, 2010, 5:48pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

You've got a great deal if the machine works or doesn't have too many expensive parts that need replacing. I'm assuming that you have counter space for a two group machine in your kitchen. In the worst case, you should be able to recoup your investment. I.e. if the machine has serious problems, it might be a slow sale, but someone who needs parts should eventually pay back your $200. Hard to say if you won the lottery yet, but it looks like it was well worth the risk.

frcn
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Dec 2001
Posts: 2,925
Location: Northern California
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Double
Grinder: Mazzer Kony, Baratza...
Vac Pot: Hario, 2 Cory pots, 1 Cory...
Drip: Behmor Brazen, Bunn A10 mod...
Roaster: computer controlled Hottop,...

Posted Fri Nov 19, 2010, 6:31pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

The motor and pump assembly new is a good amount more than you paid. It stated that it was rebuilt, so it depends on what that means and how long ago it meant it. To a local fallow, a restoration of his old 50's pickup truck meant getting out a 6" brush and giving it another coast of white latex house paint... yes, really! If you have the room and power to keep this thing working it might be worth the effort. But these big machines often take a long time to warm up and so are better left on, and they do generate some heat. My general advice is not to trust it until you know you can. Try to power the thing up just to see if it a) works,and 2) doesn't leak, and iii) heats up and pumps water. If that all looks good, then open it up remove a fitting on top of the boiler and examine the internals for scale. If it looks like a heavy build up, and you want to restore the thing to good working order, you can either try a descaling through the normal methods, or just disassemble and dip it. Take a LOT of photos before beginning, and maybe even use a scratch awl to mark connections of the pipes with a key drawn on a photo ("this is where #3 goes" etc.). Not exactly a pretty machine, though... OK, it's as ugly as a Rottweilers behind, but a custom Ferrari red paint job on the plastic might just be the thing it needs. The one thing I am gald about is that you saw it on Craig's list before I did! Phewww! ;-)

Visit My Website www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

wmpine
Senior Member

Posted Sun Dec 26, 2010, 1:54pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

i will be working to install new 220 outlet and water lines to the house after the new year.after allis installed i will begin to troubleshoot it. i am trying to learn to post pictures. hope this works.... Click Here (picasaweb.google.com) hope the pics tell you what you need to know . thanks for the responses and advice already received. it helps me a lot. happy holidays wmpine

wmpine
Senior Member

Posted Fri Feb 4, 2011, 1:55pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

the 220 is in the h2o is on, the leaks have been rooted out,.. now to learn how to run this beast! first the pics. ... picasaweb.google.com/115290743685547483042/EspressoK it?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGGmOvq-7f6OA#5569935655229130818 the pic of the gauge shows the beast up pulling a shot. are the pressures ok? is the gauge reliable? the shots are getting crema but are somewhat bitter. i have tried to temp serf by letting the first shot pulled, go on till it stops putting out steam along with the h2o is there anyone in the El Cerrito area of california that has experience using this" faema no stop" willing to give it a look? i am new to this world of good coffee and have a lot to learn. at this time i am sourceing my beans from peets ground at #3 on their grinder while i wait for a grinder to majestically show up(i think i want a mauzzer mini) from thin air. thanks in advance wmpine

wmpine
Senior Member

Posted Fri Feb 4, 2011, 2:27pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

trying again for pics https://picasaweb.google.com/115290743685547483042 hope this works!

donnydregs
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Dec 2009
Posts: 125
Location: Australia
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Elektra A3 / MCAL / E61 Two...
Grinder: Mazzer Mini / HG-One (soon)

Posted Fri Feb 4, 2011, 5:15pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

I have one of these in the shed that belongs to a friend. A Faema no..stop. This one has the cream plastic panels but he has another similar but with brass panels. It's true they aren't the sexiest looking machine but they are a nice example of a 1970's vintage design Faema. Great for home use if you have the room and don't mind leaving it on. I had the matching cream Faema grinder and they looked great together. The cream plastic goes nicely with the dark brown bakelite (plastic) knobs and trim. It would be a real shame to paint the plastic as it is part of the machine's character - as is a Rottweiler's behind to a Rottweiler. (Click for larger image)

calblacksmith
Moderator

Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 5,678
Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A.
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1
Grinder: Many different commercial
Vac Pot: 40s era Silex
Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis...
Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner

Posted Fri Feb 4, 2011, 5:30pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

If you are in the el cereto by corona ca, I am just down cajalco, off of the 15 fwy. I would be glad to take a look at it and help you get a handle on making espresso. Great price if it is in fair condition. What grinder do you have to go with it?

In real life, my name is Wayne P. Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!

JasonBrandtLewis
Senior Member

Joined: 9 Dec 2005
Posts: 6,099
Location: Berkeley, CA
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -...
Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -...
Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup
Drip: CCD, Chemex
Roaster: No, no, not another...

Posted Sat Feb 5, 2011, 9:44am Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

(Wayne, judging that William is in Lake Co., north of Napa, I'm guessing he means the El Cerrito near me next to Berkeley.) William, I have no experience with your Faema, but Mr. Espresso is alive and well and supplies many San Francisco Bay Area restaurants and cafés with equipment, service for that equipment, and oak-roasted coffee beans. Cheers, Jason P.S. Mr. Espresso also carries out restorations of Faema machines -- for example, Oliveto has an original 3-group Faema E61 Legend that says on it Manufactured by Faema 19xx Restored by Mr. Espresso 20xx . . . .

A morning without coffee is sleep . . .

wmpine
Senior Member

Posted Sun Sep 25, 2011, 12:51pm Subject: Re: faema p/4-p/6 just bought it. mistake or not?

thanks to all of your thoughtful posts, the beast is running! i am very happy with my grinder (mazzer mini ) and faema no- stop two group head machine that you all helped with. i have experimented (and hounded any barrista i came across) and am now at the point that my drinks taste better (to me )than my beloved Peets on Solano ave in Berkeley. so....i now want to learn more than i can teach myself. the problem is this. i have found that over time the left group head is dispensing too much water. a friend from Italy came over for a visit, (he owns a restaurant there) and pointed out the problem to me. that has helped me correct the problems with consistency in pulling shots. i now only use the right group head. i need guidance with how to regulate the flow in the left group head of this machine. the exploded diagram that i have does not make clear to me if there is an orifice in the group head that needs an o-ring or not. any diagrams or insight would be appreciated. thanks to Jason for the tip of Mr Espresso for restoration Mr Espresso would be happy to repair my unit ...but that would deprive me of my daily (hourly?) fix. i think that i just need confidence in tearing it out to look ...but experience has taught that having someone look over your shoulder while you tear things up is helpful. if you're in the Bay Area and have time to check out the machine, i've got the coffee! thanks, Bill

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